Why aren't front-panel pins standardized? - besterfrook1948

Q: Who act up I have to corrupt lunch for thus that mortal standardizes front-panel pins?

A: Heh, this one's a perennial annoyance, isn't it? The front-empanel trap layout on a motherboard varies a lot. Most DIY builders have become unhopeful to closed at a motherboard, then the pins, and so at the manual, then back at the motherboard, and repeating ad nauseum until everything's plugged in. Merely information technology shouldn't have to be this way.

(If you're reading this but not as familiar with PC building, figurehead-panel pins are what you plug foremost-panel connectors into. The combination of the ii links the USB ports, audio jacks, and power button at the front of a case to the motherboard and makes them active. Not plugging in the connectors properly—surgery not plugging them in, period—likely ranks among the top five reasons for why a DIY PC fails to kicking happening the first effort.)

We as DIY builders work around the problem, pick up additive tools like magnifying glassesRemove non-mathematical product link, flashlights, and plastic tweezersRemove not-production link to bettor see and handle those itty-bittie pins. Or we buy high-end motherboards that include a plastic bracket that you fanny populate with the connectors in the redress layout, so hoopla them into the motherboard all directly with no fuss.

Either room, you're shelling out cash that you could differently spend elsewhere connected the build. (Well, except for the torch—that unity's an essential part of a PC building toolkit.)

No relief is on the horizon, either. Convincing all motherboard manufacturers to standardize seems a remote possibility. We at PCWorld would settle for mobo makers charging an extra few bucks to include those plastic brackets with all motherboards, even the budget ones. Or soul other selling a worldwide variant of a bracket. They're incredibly simple to use and presumptive would be really popular.

For now, we'rhenium cursed with muddling finished while uttering quiet oaths during installation. Or employing a desperate use of electrical taping to lash those pins together. Promised land interdict you ever need to rive one forbidden individually, though.

Welcome to Deman an Expert, where we tackle your questions about PC building. Have your own burning concern? Shoot us an netmail at thefullnerd@pcworld.com .

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Alaina Yee is PCWorld's resident steal Orion—when she's not covering PC building, computer components, mini-PCs, and more, she's scouring for the best tech deals. Previously her work has appeared in PC Gamer, IGN, Utmost PC, and Confirmed Xbox Magazine. You seat find her happening Chitter at @morphingball.