Can U3S6 be used on front part of case

I have been given a Fractal Design Define XL which as 2 x USB3 ports on
the front I was wondering is there a way to use my old U3S6 card (
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Accessories/U3S6 ) to hook up to these
front USB3 ports or will they only connect to a motherboard header?
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=68

Jim

Jim wrote:
I have been given a Fractal Design Define XL which as 2 x USB3 ports on
the front I was wondering is there a way to use my old U3S6 card (
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Accessories/U3S6 ) to hook up to these
front USB3 ports or will they only connect to a motherboard header?
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=68

Jim

There's a cable assembly from Fractal Design, for sale on Newegg. The
picture here, shows the interface standards involved in their
2xUSB2/2xUSB3 assembly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811994040

The U3S6 has faceplate mounted, individual USB3 connectors. So
I don't see a way to go from 9 pin USB3 metal connectors, to
an IDT 2x10 (1 blocked keying pin) type connector.

You could try this SilverStone, "internal USB3" adapter card with
NEC chipset. $30.

SilverStone SST-EC01-P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815256001

The manual is abysmal. It shows a 19 pin pattern in the "layout photo"
on page 5. So we're supposed to assume it has the correct pinout. What
I'd want to do, is get a proper pinout from SilverStone, and compare
it to any Asus or Gigabyte manuals with 2x10 USB3 headers, just to be
sure there is an actual defacto standard.

http://www.silverstonetek.com/downlo...1-P-Manual.pdf

(As far as I know, PCI Express slots only have +12V and +3.3V. There is
no +5V. Either the PCI Express card would need a +12V to +5V regulator,
or they would need a power cable, and that's why there is a 4 pin power
connector on the board. And it doesn't look like the SilverStone kit
provides a power cable to use. You might need a Molex 1x4 Y cable for example.
The manual also refers to "unlimited" current, meaning there is no fuse in
the path, like a PolyFuse ??? Perhaps try it without the power cable first,
and if it works, don't bother with cabling it up! If it really is unlimited,
a short could burn something. Again, too bad the manual sucks.)

Intel sometimes defines motherboard header patterns. They did patterns
for AC'97 and HDAudio headers for example. But in the USB3 field,
Intel has been way behind, and the Intel site is now such a "jungle",
I wouldn't think of looking there for a new version of their "FP standard".
At one time, things were easy to find on the Intel site. Now the
site is defined by narcissist web designers, and Intel doesn't
give a rats behind.

This is an Asrock manual, supposed to be one of their first with
the 2x10 in it. P55 Extreme4. I'd want to see multiple brands
of motherboards with the same pinout, before deciding it's a
defacto standard. (See page 31.) I have no idea what "ID" stands
for, whether it is a no connect pin or not. If a connector
has extra pins like that, they should really be used for things
like an extra shield GND. The "ID" thing doesn't tell me anything.
(What it could mean, is the motherboard senses a ground return from
a cable assembly on that pin, so the motherboard could tell the
front panel is wired up, but to what purpose ? It's not like this
alone, would cause a driver to be installed or anything.)

ftp://174.142.97.10/manual/P55%20Extreme4.pdf

ID (pin 1) X X D+
D+ X X D-
D- X X GND
GND X X SSTX+
SSTX+ X X SSTX-
SSTX- X X GND
GND X X SSRX+
SSRX+ X X SSRX-
SSRX- X X VBUS (+5?)
VBUS X (Pin missing = key = pin 20)

When I'm unsure about a pinout like that, I use a multimeter
to "buzz out" the wiring. Presumably, you can find a pinout
for the nine contacts inside a USB3 connector somewhere, and
then check for continuity from the appropriate 2x9 section,
to the two USB3 connectors.

I've found several of my Antec cases, mis-wired when I checked them
(back in the USB2 era), so at least for my home builds, the
"buzz out" is mandatory for anything front panel related. I like
to be absolutely sure I got the wiring right.

Here is a picture of a blue USB3 connector, with the pins labeled.
Presumably there are other pictures like this to compare against.

http://usb3expresscard.com/images/usb/usb3_pinout.jpg

Good luck,
Paul

On 25/04/2012 03:54, Paul wrote:
Jim wrote:
I have been given a Fractal Design Define XL which as 2 x USB3 ports on
the front I was wondering is there a way to use my old U3S6 card (
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Accessories/U3S6 ) to hook up to these
front USB3 ports or will they only connect to a motherboard header?
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=68

Jim
There's a cable assembly from Fractal Design, for sale on Newegg. The
picture here, shows the interface standards involved in their
2xUSB2/2xUSB3 assembly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811994040

The U3S6 has faceplate mounted, individual USB3 connectors. So
I don't see a way to go from 9 pin USB3 metal connectors, to
an IDT 2x10 (1 blocked keying pin) type connector.

You could try this SilverStone, "internal USB3" adapter card with
NEC chipset. $30.

SilverStone SST-EC01-P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815256001

The manual is abysmal. It shows a 19 pin pattern in the "layout photo"
on page 5. So we're supposed to assume it has the correct pinout. What
I'd want to do, is get a proper pinout from SilverStone, and compare
it to any Asus or Gigabyte manuals with 2x10 USB3 headers, just to be
sure there is an actual defacto standard.

http://www.silverstonetek.com/downlo...1-P-Manual.pdf

(As far as I know, PCI Express slots only have +12V and +3.3V. There is
no +5V. Either the PCI Express card would need a +12V to +5V regulator,
or they would need a power cable, and that's why there is a 4 pin power
connector on the board. And it doesn't look like the SilverStone kit
provides a power cable to use. You might need a Molex 1x4 Y cable for example.
The manual also refers to "unlimited" current, meaning there is no fuse in
the path, like a PolyFuse ??? Perhaps try it without the power cable first,
and if it works, don't bother with cabling it up! If it really is unlimited,
a short could burn something. Again, too bad the manual sucks.)

Intel sometimes defines motherboard header patterns. They did patterns
for AC'97 and HDAudio headers for example. But in the USB3 field,
Intel has been way behind, and the Intel site is now such a "jungle",
I wouldn't think of looking there for a new version of their "FP standard".
At one time, things were easy to find on the Intel site. Now the
site is defined by narcissist web designers, and Intel doesn't
give a rats behind.

This is an Asrock manual, supposed to be one of their first with
the 2x10 in it. P55 Extreme4. I'd want to see multiple brands
of motherboards with the same pinout, before deciding it's a
defacto standard. (See page 31.) I have no idea what "ID" stands
for, whether it is a no connect pin or not. If a connector
has extra pins like that, they should really be used for things
like an extra shield GND. The "ID" thing doesn't tell me anything.
(What it could mean, is the motherboard senses a ground return from
a cable assembly on that pin, so the motherboard could tell the
front panel is wired up, but to what purpose ? It's not like this
alone, would cause a driver to be installed or anything.)

ftp://174.142.97.10/manual/P55%20Extreme4.pdf

ID (pin 1) X X D+
D+ X X D-
D- X X GND
GND X X SSTX+
SSTX+ X X SSTX-
SSTX- X X GND
GND X X SSRX+
SSRX+ X X SSRX-
SSRX- X X VBUS (+5?)
VBUS X (Pin missing = key = pin 20)

When I'm unsure about a pinout like that, I use a multimeter
to "buzz out" the wiring. Presumably, you can find a pinout
for the nine contacts inside a USB3 connector somewhere, and
then check for continuity from the appropriate 2x9 section,
to the two USB3 connectors.

I've found several of my Antec cases, mis-wired when I checked them
(back in the USB2 era), so at least for my home builds, the
"buzz out" is mandatory for anything front panel related. I like
to be absolutely sure I got the wiring right.

Here is a picture of a blue USB3 connector, with the pins labeled.
Presumably there are other pictures like this to compare against.

http://usb3expresscard.com/images/usb/usb3_pinout.jpg

Good luck,
Paul

Hi Paul and thanks for the detailed reply, I was worried the answer was
going to be no (unless i jumped through tons of hoops) I guess it may be
time to upgrade the motherboard/cpu/ram I have right now I only have
USB2 motherboard support, I know USB3 native support for Intel is new
but it's been around for a while on older boards so i'll hunt out when
Asus started to do them, once again thx for the reply buddy.

Jim

On 26/04/2012 13:59, Jim wrote:
On 25/04/2012 03:54, Paul wrote:
Jim wrote:
I have been given a Fractal Design Define XL which as 2 x USB3 ports on
the front I was wondering is there a way to use my old U3S6 card (
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Accessories/U3S6 ) to hook up to these
front USB3 ports or will they only connect to a motherboard header?
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=68

Jim
There's a cable assembly from Fractal Design, for sale on Newegg. The
picture here, shows the interface standards involved in their
2xUSB2/2xUSB3 assembly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811994040

The U3S6 has faceplate mounted, individual USB3 connectors. So
I don't see a way to go from 9 pin USB3 metal connectors, to
an IDT 2x10 (1 blocked keying pin) type connector.

You could try this SilverStone, "internal USB3" adapter card with
NEC chipset. $30.

SilverStone SST-EC01-P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815256001

The manual is abysmal. It shows a 19 pin pattern in the "layout photo"
on page 5. So we're supposed to assume it has the correct pinout. What
I'd want to do, is get a proper pinout from SilverStone, and compare
it to any Asus or Gigabyte manuals with 2x10 USB3 headers, just to be
sure there is an actual defacto standard.

http://www.silverstonetek.com/downlo...1-P-Manual.pdf


(As far as I know, PCI Express slots only have +12V and +3.3V. There is
no +5V. Either the PCI Express card would need a +12V to +5V regulator,
or they would need a power cable, and that's why there is a 4 pin power
connector on the board. And it doesn't look like the SilverStone kit
provides a power cable to use. You might need a Molex 1x4 Y cable for
example.
The manual also refers to "unlimited" current, meaning there is no
fuse in
the path, like a PolyFuse ??? Perhaps try it without the power cable
first,
and if it works, don't bother with cabling it up! If it really is
unlimited,
a short could burn something. Again, too bad the manual sucks.)

Intel sometimes defines motherboard header patterns. They did patterns
for AC'97 and HDAudio headers for example. But in the USB3 field,
Intel has been way behind, and the Intel site is now such a "jungle",
I wouldn't think of looking there for a new version of their "FP
standard".
At one time, things were easy to find on the Intel site. Now the
site is defined by narcissist web designers, and Intel doesn't
give a rats behind.

This is an Asrock manual, supposed to be one of their first with
the 2x10 in it. P55 Extreme4. I'd want to see multiple brands
of motherboards with the same pinout, before deciding it's a
defacto standard. (See page 31.) I have no idea what "ID" stands
for, whether it is a no connect pin or not. If a connector
has extra pins like that, they should really be used for things
like an extra shield GND. The "ID" thing doesn't tell me anything.
(What it could mean, is the motherboard senses a ground return from
a cable assembly on that pin, so the motherboard could tell the
front panel is wired up, but to what purpose ? It's not like this
alone, would cause a driver to be installed or anything.)

ftp://174.142.97.10/manual/P55%20Extreme4.pdf

ID (pin 1) X X D+
D+ X X D-
D- X X GND
GND X X SSTX+
SSTX+ X X SSTX-
SSTX- X X GND
GND X X SSRX+
SSRX+ X X SSRX-
SSRX- X X VBUS (+5?)
VBUS X (Pin missing = key = pin 20)

When I'm unsure about a pinout like that, I use a multimeter
to "buzz out" the wiring. Presumably, you can find a pinout
for the nine contacts inside a USB3 connector somewhere, and
then check for continuity from the appropriate 2x9 section,
to the two USB3 connectors.

I've found several of my Antec cases, mis-wired when I checked them
(back in the USB2 era), so at least for my home builds, the
"buzz out" is mandatory for anything front panel related. I like
to be absolutely sure I got the wiring right.

Here is a picture of a blue USB3 connector, with the pins labeled.
Presumably there are other pictures like this to compare against.

http://usb3expresscard.com/images/usb/usb3_pinout.jpg

Good luck,
Paul

Hi Paul and thanks for the detailed reply, I was worried the answer
was going to be no (unless i jumped through tons of hoops) I guess it
may be time to upgrade the motherboard/cpu/ram I have right now I only
have USB2 motherboard support, I know USB3 native support for Intel is
new but it's been around for a while on older boards so i'll hunt out
when Asus started to do them, once again thx for the reply buddy.

Jim
Paul been doing some more digging and was wondering if this would do the
job?
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_3499.html

Jim

Jim wrote:
On 26/04/2012 13:59, Jim wrote:
On 25/04/2012 03:54, Paul wrote:
Jim wrote:
I have been given a Fractal Design Define XL which as 2 x USB3 ports on
the front I was wondering is there a way to use my old U3S6 card (
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Accessories/U3S6 ) to hook up to these
front USB3 ports or will they only connect to a motherboard header?
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=68

Jim
There's a cable assembly from Fractal Design, for sale on Newegg. The
picture here, shows the interface standards involved in their
2xUSB2/2xUSB3 assembly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811994040

The U3S6 has faceplate mounted, individual USB3 connectors. So
I don't see a way to go from 9 pin USB3 metal connectors, to
an IDT 2x10 (1 blocked keying pin) type connector.

You could try this SilverStone, "internal USB3" adapter card with
NEC chipset. $30.

SilverStone SST-EC01-P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815256001

The manual is abysmal. It shows a 19 pin pattern in the "layout photo"
on page 5. So we're supposed to assume it has the correct pinout. What
I'd want to do, is get a proper pinout from SilverStone, and compare
it to any Asus or Gigabyte manuals with 2x10 USB3 headers, just to be
sure there is an actual defacto standard.

http://www.silverstonetek.com/downlo...1-P-Manual.pdf


(As far as I know, PCI Express slots only have +12V and +3.3V. There is
no +5V. Either the PCI Express card would need a +12V to +5V regulator,
or they would need a power cable, and that's why there is a 4 pin power
connector on the board. And it doesn't look like the SilverStone kit
provides a power cable to use. You might need a Molex 1x4 Y cable for
example.
The manual also refers to "unlimited" current, meaning there is no
fuse in
the path, like a PolyFuse ??? Perhaps try it without the power cable
first,
and if it works, don't bother with cabling it up! If it really is
unlimited,
a short could burn something. Again, too bad the manual sucks.)

Intel sometimes defines motherboard header patterns. They did patterns
for AC'97 and HDAudio headers for example. But in the USB3 field,
Intel has been way behind, and the Intel site is now such a "jungle",
I wouldn't think of looking there for a new version of their "FP
standard".
At one time, things were easy to find on the Intel site. Now the
site is defined by narcissist web designers, and Intel doesn't
give a rats behind.

This is an Asrock manual, supposed to be one of their first with
the 2x10 in it. P55 Extreme4. I'd want to see multiple brands
of motherboards with the same pinout, before deciding it's a
defacto standard. (See page 31.) I have no idea what "ID" stands
for, whether it is a no connect pin or not. If a connector
has extra pins like that, they should really be used for things
like an extra shield GND. The "ID" thing doesn't tell me anything.
(What it could mean, is the motherboard senses a ground return from
a cable assembly on that pin, so the motherboard could tell the
front panel is wired up, but to what purpose ? It's not like this
alone, would cause a driver to be installed or anything.)

ftp://174.142.97.10/manual/P55%20Extreme4.pdf

ID (pin 1) X X D+
D+ X X D-
D- X X GND
GND X X SSTX+
SSTX+ X X SSTX-
SSTX- X X GND
GND X X SSRX+
SSRX+ X X SSRX-
SSRX- X X VBUS (+5?)
VBUS X (Pin missing = key = pin 20)

When I'm unsure about a pinout like that, I use a multimeter
to "buzz out" the wiring. Presumably, you can find a pinout
for the nine contacts inside a USB3 connector somewhere, and
then check for continuity from the appropriate 2x9 section,
to the two USB3 connectors.

I've found several of my Antec cases, mis-wired when I checked them
(back in the USB2 era), so at least for my home builds, the
"buzz out" is mandatory for anything front panel related. I like
to be absolutely sure I got the wiring right.

Here is a picture of a blue USB3 connector, with the pins labeled.
Presumably there are other pictures like this to compare against.

http://usb3expresscard.com/images/usb/usb3_pinout.jpg

Good luck,
Paul

Hi Paul and thanks for the detailed reply, I was worried the answer
was going to be no (unless i jumped through tons of hoops) I guess it
may be time to upgrade the motherboard/cpu/ram I have right now I only
have USB2 motherboard support, I know USB3 native support for Intel is
new but it's been around for a while on older boards so i'll hunt out
when Asus started to do them, once again thx for the reply buddy.

Jim

Paul been doing some more digging and was wondering if this would do the
job?
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_3499.html

Jim

Yes, cosmetically, it solves the problem. Agreed.

My concern is, with USB3, how many extensions can you
make, without upsetting the gigabit per second signals
being used ?

Personally, if using the USB3 signals, I'd take them right
off the faceplate of my U3S6, even if it meant getting
behind the PC to do it.

You can buy the kustompcs.co.uk and test it out, chaining 3499.html
cable to fit the Fractal Design cable assembly inside (3499.html
is male, Fractal design 2x10 is female). It'll mean removing a
PCI slot cover on the PC, and routing the cable inside. And then,
using a USB3 device plugged to the front to test.

The kustompcs.co.uk looks to have good attention to RF design
issues - it looks like it has a proper shielding solution, no
gaps visible.

The signal transmission should be protected by CRC, for each USB3
packet sent. I presume a re-transmission is attempted, if there
is an error. What you don't want though, is a significant error
rate, because even with CRC protection, eventually an errored
data pattern leaks through such a scheme. CRC is "armor plating",
but is not "bulletproof". You could transfer some really big files
(DVD sized) and use MD5sum or SHA1sum to check whether any bits
in the files are getting flipped or not.

If your testing shows this chain of cables is working for you,
then keep using it :-)

I'd much rather pick off such a high speed interface, via
a back faceplate connector, just for data safety reasons.
I'm a conservative guy, having fought in the lab with
high speed signals for so many years, and losing in the
process :-) YMMV.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0

"The "SuperSpeed" bus provides a transfer mode at 5.0 Gbit/s

All data is sent as a stream of eight bits which are scrambled
and then converted into 10-bit format. This helps to reduce
electromagnetic interference (EMI). [Drops usable datarate to 4Gbit/sec,
minus packet overhead or the like.]

It is still going to be tethered to 16 feet (maximum) cables"

Considering the reach limits of SATA, by comparison, 16 feet is
a hell of a long way. They mention "receive equalization", as
a means for USB3 to work at those long lengths.

http://www2.electronicproducts.com/O...2011-html.aspx

"The writers of the USB 3.0 standard added provisions for a
receiver continuous time linear equalizer (CTLE) function
to be applied to the received signal in order to open the eye.
However, there are cases (such as long channels like that
encountered when placing USB 3.0 connectors at the front panel
in desktop systems, Fig. 4) that even with CTLE, the high-frequency
loss and jitter are so severe that it is not possible to get an
open eye after a three meter cable."

Now, I located that article, *after* writing this post. You can
see the challenges to doing a good job there. This is why I worry...

Paul

On 27/04/2012 09:16, Paul wrote:
Jim wrote:
On 26/04/2012 13:59, Jim wrote:
On 25/04/2012 03:54, Paul wrote:
Jim wrote:
I have been given a Fractal Design Define XL which as 2 x USB3 ports on
the front I was wondering is there a way to use my old U3S6 card (
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Accessories/U3S6 ) to hook up to these
front USB3 ports or will they only connect to a motherboard header?
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=68

Jim
There's a cable assembly from Fractal Design, for sale on Newegg. The
picture here, shows the interface standards involved in their
2xUSB2/2xUSB3 assembly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811994040

The U3S6 has faceplate mounted, individual USB3 connectors. So
I don't see a way to go from 9 pin USB3 metal connectors, to
an IDT 2x10 (1 blocked keying pin) type connector.

You could try this SilverStone, "internal USB3" adapter card with
NEC chipset. $30.

SilverStone SST-EC01-P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815256001

The manual is abysmal. It shows a 19 pin pattern in the "layout photo"
on page 5. So we're supposed to assume it has the correct pinout. What
I'd want to do, is get a proper pinout from SilverStone, and compare
it to any Asus or Gigabyte manuals with 2x10 USB3 headers, just to be
sure there is an actual defacto standard.

http://www.silverstonetek.com/downlo...1-P-Manual.pdf


(As far as I know, PCI Express slots only have +12V and +3.3V. There is
no +5V. Either the PCI Express card would need a +12V to +5V regulator,
or they would need a power cable, and that's why there is a 4 pin power
connector on the board. And it doesn't look like the SilverStone kit
provides a power cable to use. You might need a Molex 1x4 Y cable for
example.
The manual also refers to "unlimited" current, meaning there is no
fuse in
the path, like a PolyFuse ??? Perhaps try it without the power cable
first,
and if it works, don't bother with cabling it up! If it really is
unlimited,
a short could burn something. Again, too bad the manual sucks.)

Intel sometimes defines motherboard header patterns. They did patterns
for AC'97 and HDAudio headers for example. But in the USB3 field,
Intel has been way behind, and the Intel site is now such a "jungle",
I wouldn't think of looking there for a new version of their "FP
standard".
At one time, things were easy to find on the Intel site. Now the
site is defined by narcissist web designers, and Intel doesn't
give a rats behind.

This is an Asrock manual, supposed to be one of their first with
the 2x10 in it. P55 Extreme4. I'd want to see multiple brands
of motherboards with the same pinout, before deciding it's a
defacto standard. (See page 31.) I have no idea what "ID" stands
for, whether it is a no connect pin or not. If a connector
has extra pins like that, they should really be used for things
like an extra shield GND. The "ID" thing doesn't tell me anything.
(What it could mean, is the motherboard senses a ground return from
a cable assembly on that pin, so the motherboard could tell the
front panel is wired up, but to what purpose ? It's not like this
alone, would cause a driver to be installed or anything.)

ftp://174.142.97.10/manual/P55%20Extreme4.pdf

ID (pin 1) X X D+
D+ X X D-
D- X X GND
GND X X SSTX+
SSTX+ X X SSTX-
SSTX- X X GND
GND X X SSRX+
SSRX+ X X SSRX-
SSRX- X X VBUS (+5?)
VBUS X (Pin missing = key = pin 20)

When I'm unsure about a pinout like that, I use a multimeter
to "buzz out" the wiring. Presumably, you can find a pinout
for the nine contacts inside a USB3 connector somewhere, and
then check for continuity from the appropriate 2x9 section,
to the two USB3 connectors.

I've found several of my Antec cases, mis-wired when I checked them
(back in the USB2 era), so at least for my home builds, the
"buzz out" is mandatory for anything front panel related. I like
to be absolutely sure I got the wiring right.

Here is a picture of a blue USB3 connector, with the pins labeled.
Presumably there are other pictures like this to compare against.

http://usb3expresscard.com/images/usb/usb3_pinout.jpg

Good luck,
Paul
Hi Paul and thanks for the detailed reply, I was worried the answer
was going to be no (unless i jumped through tons of hoops) I guess it
may be time to upgrade the motherboard/cpu/ram I have right now I only
have USB2 motherboard support, I know USB3 native support for Intel is
new but it's been around for a while on older boards so i'll hunt out
when Asus started to do them, once again thx for the reply buddy.

Jim
Paul been doing some more digging and was wondering if this would do the
job?
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_3499.html

Jim
Yes, cosmetically, it solves the problem. Agreed.

My concern is, with USB3, how many extensions can you
make, without upsetting the gigabit per second signals
being used ?

Personally, if using the USB3 signals, I'd take them right
off the faceplate of my U3S6, even if it meant getting
behind the PC to do it.

You can buy the kustompcs.co.uk and test it out, chaining 3499.html
cable to fit the Fractal Design cable assembly inside (3499.html
is male, Fractal design 2x10 is female). It'll mean removing a
PCI slot cover on the PC, and routing the cable inside. And then,
using a USB3 device plugged to the front to test.

The kustompcs.co.uk looks to have good attention to RF design
issues - it looks like it has a proper shielding solution, no
gaps visible.

The signal transmission should be protected by CRC, for each USB3
packet sent. I presume a re-transmission is attempted, if there
is an error. What you don't want though, is a significant error
rate, because even with CRC protection, eventually an errored
data pattern leaks through such a scheme. CRC is "armor plating",
but is not "bulletproof". You could transfer some really big files
(DVD sized) and use MD5sum or SHA1sum to check whether any bits
in the files are getting flipped or not.

If your testing shows this chain of cables is working for you,
then keep using it :-)

I'd much rather pick off such a high speed interface, via
a back faceplate connector, just for data safety reasons.
I'm a conservative guy, having fought in the lab with
high speed signals for so many years, and losing in the
process :-) YMMV.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0

"The "SuperSpeed" bus provides a transfer mode at 5.0 Gbit/s

All data is sent as a stream of eight bits which are scrambled
and then converted into 10-bit format. This helps to reduce
electromagnetic interference (EMI). [Drops usable datarate to 4Gbit/sec,
minus packet overhead or the like.]

It is still going to be tethered to 16 feet (maximum) cables"

Considering the reach limits of SATA, by comparison, 16 feet is
a hell of a long way. They mention "receive equalization", as
a means for USB3 to work at those long lengths.

http://www2.electronicproducts.com/O...2011-html.aspx

"The writers of the USB 3.0 standard added provisions for a
receiver continuous time linear equalizer (CTLE) function
to be applied to the received signal in order to open the eye.
However, there are cases (such as long channels like that
encountered when placing USB 3.0 connectors at the front panel
in desktop systems, Fig. 4) that even with CTLE, the high-frequency
loss and jitter are so severe that it is not possible to get an
open eye after a three meter cable."

Now, I located that article, *after* writing this post. You can
see the challenges to doing a good job there. This is why I worry...

Paul
Hi Paul, the last thing I want to do is sort the "problem" out and end
up with corrupted data, I think i'll take a punt on it purely because
it's a easy fix and do some testing with a mix of file size I have some
images that are 20GB+ in size so i'll shift them about a few times and
see if i get any errors, if i do then i'll just bin the idea and upgrade
the mainboard etc, many thx for your detailed answers, it's been a great
help.

Jim