Why can't manufacturers completely switch to USB Type C, and discard all the old and bulky USB connections? I will not buy a new mobo and case until this happens. To me USB Type C is the dream-connector, i'd use it for video, networking, and peripherals.
because very few products actually use USB C connectors.... I want a PC, not a Macbook, I'm not going to use a freaking dongle for my mouse, keyboard, and external HDDs.
For most people that would be four or five Type C ports too many, given the dearth of devices which use the connector. It's not as if Type C conveys any capabilities the other connector formats do not, other than being orientation-neutral.
if all/most would be tb3 also, then maybe, but when is that gonna happen considering the limited pcie lanes, and the fact that in lot of cases even m.2 slots share the connection with a sata port or two. Even if bandwith becomes available, do you really trust usbc to hold someting like a usb stick or a wireless dongle and stuff?
Tb3 conveys a significan charge , I choose between two mobos almost exactly the same (minus some bling) one with TB3 +£40 .. way too much premium on a midpriced mobo.
@Incolumis: Thinking before commenting is both easier and cheaper but you still didn't. Now imagine removing all USB Type A ports ;).
They won't switch any time soon because motherboard manufacturers and basically every single other person in the world literally don't care what you [one customer] want. They are designing a product that will appeal a wider market. And most people do not have ANY Type C to Type C cables.
But you want someone to market a mother board that gives you what you want AND removes what other people want. So hold in there, I'm sure in 5 years you'll be able to but a new motherboard.
which is exactly why we are in the mess we are, nobody has it so nobody wants it so nobody has it because nobody...
So how do you propose we move on? Peripherals tend to be multi generational devices (for me at least) so the mobos will have to change first, hopefully sooner rather than later.
The more holes for C devices there are the more people will adopt them, and yes to bridge the multi generation thing we will use dongles, or a hub, (USB hubs are quite inexpensive for your legacy pre-C devices) to get from here to there.
Actually, maybe someone like Asus can pull this off. They make the boards, don't they make peripherals now too? And now cases? They can easily push the high end by offering everything in USB-C for those nice premiums. Then it can trickle down and other manufacturers will have to catch up.
@MadAd: They could put at least 2 USB C ports there but I don't see why they would remove the USB A. Especially since that backpanel doesn't look cramped at all. It's amazing how many people only see their needs and wants in front of their eyes and can't even conceive that that vast majority of people want or need something else.
@MadAd. "Stop being a luddite, its the progress we need."
Sure, why be stuck on century old analog tech when we can replace all the audio jacks with BT connections? Why put HDMI, DP, USB ports, etc. when all of these can be replace with TB3 over USB C port? Why be stuck on 1Gbps Ethernet when 2.5G-10G are already here?
Oh, it would make the board more expensive and most people would have to replace all of their cables, adapters, peripherals, etc? Progress.
There is no indication at this time that a significant number of people need more than 1 Type C on a PC. When USB 3.0 launched most MoBos had 1 or 2 ports, and almost no case had them. It's slow because people selling them don't have to think of only the 2 of you, but to the other thousands that need something else, they need that "legacy".
That would mean you'd have to buy A-C adapters for your keyboard, mouse, existing thumb drives, etc., unless you were willing to buy a new keyboard, mouse, etc.
That would be the dream some day, but for now we're in this weird chicken-and-the-egg scenario. Motherboards don't have more than one USB-C port(if that), and peripherals don't come with USB-C plugs. Someone's going to have to push the issue if the market is going to move anytime soon. Even then, people would probably want motherboards with half USB-A and half USB-C, just for existing peripherals.
Motherboards having more then one USB-C would be a good start.
For laptops, I agree. Even for compact custom-form-factor desktops, sure, maybe just one or two USB-A ports. But for desktops using a standard ATX I/O shield? No reason to skip USB-A. *MORE* USB-C, especially 10Gbit, and even more especially Thunderbolt-3 capable, should be standard, though.
I want to see at least 4 USB-C ports on the back panel every motherboard, with at least 2 of them Thunderbolt-3 capable, and preferably all 10Gbit capable.
But I also understand that the vast majority of peripherals are still USB-A. Essentially all wired keyboard and mice have hardwired cables that end in a USB-A port. While most other external USB devices have removable cables that can easily be swapped for one that ends in a USB-C plug instead of a USB-A plug, it's still not the standard. (I was floored when my recently-purchased external Blu-ray drive included two cables in the box - one a micro-USB-B-3.0 to USB-A 3.0, and one female USB-A 3.0 to USB-C dongle. I would have preferred that it include a micro-USB-B-3.0 to USB-C that was as long as the micro-B-to-A it came with, than a female-A-to-C dongle, but it's a start.)
While it may look sexy to have full USB-C interface, I am not sure that mice, keyboards and most of the other stuff (BT, Wifi, gamepad dongles) require 10 Gbps speed, nor they require USB-C type connector which, from my experience, is less "holding" than typical Type A. Besides all those things I wrote above I typically connect once.
The only device I own which would benefit from Type C connector is my smartphone. Everything else would need CtoA adapters, making the actual physical connection even less stable.
Nice review, thank you. I'm holding off on upgrading my 5 to rig until the "cache virus" situation is fixed in silicon, but when I'll finally move, I'll be looking for a very similar board. It's nice to see boards for regular folks tested, not just high-end stuff. This one is "riced" right.
Why do you even care? None of single user desktop machines are affected. Update BIOS/microcode, install latest Windows, and disable all the spectre/meltdown mitigation shit to regain normal computing speeds. Done.
I really wish more boards put M.2 slots underneath the board! It's fanatastic IMO. Even ATX should do it. We have all these HEDT CPU available now with lots of PCIe lanes, even chipsets with even more lanes, and ATX and EATX don't even get full 7 x16 slots usually. I wish we could maximize the board even further. Full 7 x16 slots with M.2 slots on the back would just be so perfect for maybe 1 or two top end boards. Along with more SFF-8643 ports!
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
23 Comments
Back to Article
Incolumis - Thursday, June 21, 2018 - link
Why can't manufacturers completely switch to USB Type C, and discard all the old and bulky USB connections? I will not buy a new mobo and case until this happens. To me USB Type C is the dream-connector, i'd use it for video, networking, and peripherals.keebs63 - Thursday, June 21, 2018 - link
because very few products actually use USB C connectors.... I want a PC, not a Macbook, I'm not going to use a freaking dongle for my mouse, keyboard, and external HDDs.Incolumis - Thursday, June 21, 2018 - link
And if the mobo included 4 USB Type C ports? and the case 2?Galcobar - Thursday, June 21, 2018 - link
For most people that would be four or five Type C ports too many, given the dearth of devices which use the connector. It's not as if Type C conveys any capabilities the other connector formats do not, other than being orientation-neutral.LauRoman - Thursday, June 21, 2018 - link
if all/most would be tb3 also, then maybe, but when is that gonna happen considering the limited pcie lanes, and the fact that in lot of cases even m.2 slots share the connection with a sata port or two.Even if bandwith becomes available, do you really trust usbc to hold someting like a usb stick or a wireless dongle and stuff?
dromoxen - Saturday, June 23, 2018 - link
Tb3 conveys a significan charge , I choose between two mobos almost exactly the same (minus some bling) one with TB3 +£40 .. way too much premium on a midpriced mobo.close - Tuesday, June 26, 2018 - link
@Incolumis: Thinking before commenting is both easier and cheaper but you still didn't. Now imagine removing all USB Type A ports ;).They won't switch any time soon because motherboard manufacturers and basically every single other person in the world literally don't care what you [one customer] want. They are designing a product that will appeal a wider market. And most people do not have ANY Type C to Type C cables.
But you want someone to market a mother board that gives you what you want AND removes what other people want. So hold in there, I'm sure in 5 years you'll be able to but a new motherboard.
MadAd - Saturday, June 23, 2018 - link
which is exactly why we are in the mess we are, nobody has it so nobody wants it so nobody has it because nobody...So how do you propose we move on? Peripherals tend to be multi generational devices (for me at least) so the mobos will have to change first, hopefully sooner rather than later.
The more holes for C devices there are the more people will adopt them, and yes to bridge the multi generation thing we will use dongles, or a hub, (USB hubs are quite inexpensive for your legacy pre-C devices) to get from here to there.
Stop being a luddite, its the progress we need.
EnzoFX - Monday, June 25, 2018 - link
We need COURAGE.-just thought it was an easy joke to make. Kind of indifferent myself.
EnzoFX - Monday, June 25, 2018 - link
Actually, maybe someone like Asus can pull this off. They make the boards, don't they make peripherals now too? And now cases? They can easily push the high end by offering everything in USB-C for those nice premiums. Then it can trickle down and other manufacturers will have to catch up.close - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
@MadAd: They could put at least 2 USB C ports there but I don't see why they would remove the USB A. Especially since that backpanel doesn't look cramped at all. It's amazing how many people only see their needs and wants in front of their eyes and can't even conceive that that vast majority of people want or need something else.close - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
@MadAd. "Stop being a luddite, its the progress we need."Sure, why be stuck on century old analog tech when we can replace all the audio jacks with BT connections? Why put HDMI, DP, USB ports, etc. when all of these can be replace with TB3 over USB C port? Why be stuck on 1Gbps Ethernet when 2.5G-10G are already here?
Oh, it would make the board more expensive and most people would have to replace all of their cables, adapters, peripherals, etc? Progress.
There is no indication at this time that a significant number of people need more than 1 Type C on a PC. When USB 3.0 launched most MoBos had 1 or 2 ports, and almost no case had them. It's slow because people selling them don't have to think of only the 2 of you, but to the other thousands that need something else, they need that "legacy".
1_rick - Thursday, June 21, 2018 - link
That would mean you'd have to buy A-C adapters for your keyboard, mouse, existing thumb drives, etc., unless you were willing to buy a new keyboard, mouse, etc.Mr Perfect - Friday, June 22, 2018 - link
That would be the dream some day, but for now we're in this weird chicken-and-the-egg scenario. Motherboards don't have more than one USB-C port(if that), and peripherals don't come with USB-C plugs. Someone's going to have to push the issue if the market is going to move anytime soon. Even then, people would probably want motherboards with half USB-A and half USB-C, just for existing peripherals.Motherboards having more then one USB-C would be a good start.
CharonPDX - Friday, June 22, 2018 - link
For laptops, I agree. Even for compact custom-form-factor desktops, sure, maybe just one or two USB-A ports. But for desktops using a standard ATX I/O shield? No reason to skip USB-A. *MORE* USB-C, especially 10Gbit, and even more especially Thunderbolt-3 capable, should be standard, though.I want to see at least 4 USB-C ports on the back panel every motherboard, with at least 2 of them Thunderbolt-3 capable, and preferably all 10Gbit capable.
But I also understand that the vast majority of peripherals are still USB-A. Essentially all wired keyboard and mice have hardwired cables that end in a USB-A port. While most other external USB devices have removable cables that can easily be swapped for one that ends in a USB-C plug instead of a USB-A plug, it's still not the standard. (I was floored when my recently-purchased external Blu-ray drive included two cables in the box - one a micro-USB-B-3.0 to USB-A 3.0, and one female USB-A 3.0 to USB-C dongle. I would have preferred that it include a micro-USB-B-3.0 to USB-C that was as long as the micro-B-to-A it came with, than a female-A-to-C dongle, but it's a start.)
risa2000 - Saturday, June 23, 2018 - link
While it may look sexy to have full USB-C interface, I am not sure that mice, keyboards and most of the other stuff (BT, Wifi, gamepad dongles) require 10 Gbps speed, nor they require USB-C type connector which, from my experience, is less "holding" than typical Type A. Besides all those things I wrote above I typically connect once.The only device I own which would benefit from Type C connector is my smartphone. Everything else would need CtoA adapters, making the actual physical connection even less stable.
Galcobar - Thursday, June 21, 2018 - link
Typo, page 1, section Information on Intel's..."... Cutress reviewed a couple of processors (i7-8700K and i7-8400)... "
Perhaps that should be i5-8400, or i7-8700?
StormyParis - Friday, June 22, 2018 - link
Nice review, thank you.I'm holding off on upgrading my 5 to rig until the "cache virus" situation is fixed in silicon, but when I'll finally move, I'll be looking for a very similar board. It's nice to see boards for regular folks tested, not just high-end stuff. This one is "riced" right.
timecop1818 - Friday, June 22, 2018 - link
Why do you even care? None of single user desktop machines are affected. Update BIOS/microcode, install latest Windows, and disable all the spectre/meltdown mitigation shit to regain normal computing speeds. Done.CharonPDX - Friday, June 22, 2018 - link
With the HDMI 2.0 port, I'm curious if this board has all the necessary firmware and hardware bits to support UHD Blu-ray playback.TallBill - Sunday, June 24, 2018 - link
What do you think about the term Nazi being thrown around as if it means nothing?E1m1 - Monday, June 25, 2018 - link
Does it support hdcp 2.2 on hdmi 2.0?And which itx bosrds supports hdcp2.2?.
CheapSushi - Monday, June 25, 2018 - link
I really wish more boards put M.2 slots underneath the board! It's fanatastic IMO. Even ATX should do it. We have all these HEDT CPU available now with lots of PCIe lanes, even chipsets with even more lanes, and ATX and EATX don't even get full 7 x16 slots usually. I wish we could maximize the board even further. Full 7 x16 slots with M.2 slots on the back would just be so perfect for maybe 1 or two top end boards. Along with more SFF-8643 ports!