Advice Question about front panel for my Ncase M1 6.1

Leofr1cs

Minimal Tinkerer
Original poster
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Mar 29, 2021
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I finally got my NCase M1 completed... Yey! (3 months waiting) and 3 years of dreaming...

Am using a X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI - https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/X570-I-AORUS-PRO-WIFI-rev-10#kf

but sadly I am missing a USB-C A-Key header (I guess I am not the first to encounter this issue and won't be the last). Upon reading my options, it appears I can do the following:
  • Ignore it and just use the front USB A 3.0 connectors of which I have 2 (not good for my OCD)
  • Replace motherboard with B550 ROG Strix -
  • Convert the USB 3 header to A-Key and lose the USB3 ports :( -
  • And..or convert the USB 2 header to USB 3 and change my front type A ports to USB 2 speed (I think this can work?)
  • Use my 2nd M.2 port to convert to A-Key (which on my M1 is poorly positioned against the back side of the case so this can't work)
My question is... Am I missing anything painfully obvious that could work?

In other news, I am popping in an H100i to replace the Wraith Prism cooler... which will require me to run a modular SATA power connector from the PSU to the pump (again annoys me for an extra cable) - the B550 ROG appears to have a header specifically for powering such an AIO pump... I wonder if this could be an extra reason to get the ROG Strix B550 motherboard?

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.
 

Leofr1cs

Minimal Tinkerer
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New User
Mar 29, 2021
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I guess a build list plus a photo would be nice, so here it is. I've left up the prices I got gouged by in GBP seeing as it's 2021 after all.


  • LG 34gk950f £595
  • Lenovo 500 fhd webcam £44
  • 1tb Samsung 980pro £140
  • 16gb Corsair vengeance lpx 3600mhz £70
  • Corsair SF600 platinum £100
  • Logitech g915 kB £145
  • Logitech g903 £45
  • Ryzen 7 3700x zen 2 HS+fan £200
  • Gigabyte x570i aorus pro £150
  • Ncase m1 v6.1 £182 plus (£25 customs)
  • Logitech z533 speakers £50
  • MSI GeForce RTX 2060 VENTUS XS OC 6GB £387
  • Logitech g pro X £63
 
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BaK

King of Cable Management
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May 17, 2016
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Nice setup!

1 x USB Type-C™ port on the back panel, with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support
I would make good use of this USB-C port at the back, attaching a multi ports hub to it. This would let you have USB-C and other options like an SD Card reader under your monitor. To the price of an extra cable on your desk...

If USB 3.0 speed is fast enough, easiest is to add an USB3 to USB-C adapter on your front ports when you need it:
 

Leofr1cs

Minimal Tinkerer
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Mar 29, 2021
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Thank you for the reply it was very helpful. My main reason for asking is that I know that there is a Redundant cable and port on the front of my computer which causes me much Annoyance.
 

BaK

King of Cable Management
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May 17, 2016
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Aah got it now!
Use my 2nd M.2 port to convert to A-Key (which on my M1 is poorly positioned against the back side of the case so this can't work)
Wouldn't it be possible to convert the first M.2 port to A-Key and put your M.2 storage at the back of the motherboard?
For that I guess you would need to remove the thermal guard fan of the first M.2 port...
 

Leofr1cs

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Mar 29, 2021
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Fantastic idea again, but the 980 pro is pcie4 and the rear m.2 is pcie3 :(

I think I am just going to keep my current setup and ignore the usb c port
 

BaK

King of Cable Management
Bronze Supporter
May 17, 2016
930
931
Fantastic idea again, but the 980 pro is pcie4 and the rear m.2 is pcie3 :(
I was going to say that you probably won't see any difference in real world usage, but looking again at your mobo's specs I see:
1 x M.2 connector on the back of the motherboard (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280 SATA and PCIe 4.0* x4/x2 SSD support)
* For 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen™ processors only.
Which means you should be good with your 3700x!
 

gman501

Cable Smoosher
Jul 9, 2021
11
11
Not sure where you would mount it, but an m.2 extension cable like this might help with the m.2 slot being on the rear.
(Not endorsing it - first one that came up)