How To Add USB-C Ports To Your Windows PC
USB-C is becoming the measure for connexion amid laptops as well as mobile devices. But if your laptop or desktop PC is lacking inward ports as well as y'all don't desire to supersede it, you'll demand an alternative. Here are a few.
Adding USB-C ports to a desktop estimator is pretty straightforward: y'all tin purpose a measure PCI-E expansion port to add together a novel bill of fare amongst fresh novel ports, or supersede approximately bay drives or the PC illustration itself if y'all desire those ports on the forepart of the machine. Laptops are a petty to a greater extent than tricky—you'll bring to rely on adapters as well as converter cables to produce the trick.
Options for Laptop Users
If your laptop lacks USB-C ports as well as y'all demand to connect something to it, the easiest agency to larn close it is a humble cable. USB-C to USB-A cables (that's the 1 amongst a measure rectangular connector) are available inward virile mortal as well as woman mortal varieties. In fact, if your novel gadget connects solely via USB-C, similar most newer Android phones, there's a pretty practiced guide a opportunity that a C-to-A cable was included inward the box. You tin purchase to a greater extent than fairly cheaply at whatever electronics retailer.
When using these cables for anything other than charging, endure certain to plug them into a USB 3.0 port. 3.0 (and later) ports aren't the same matter every bit Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 as well as C ports: the issue refers to the Universal Serial Bus revision, piece the alphabetic lineament refers specifically to the shape as well as digital contacts inward the connection. 3.0 ports offering greatly enhanced speed versus the older 2.0 standard. 3.0 ports are sometimes marked amongst bluish connectors or another obvious color shift, as well as this symbol:
All USB-C cables should back upwardly 3.0 speeds, though they may endure backwards-compatible amongst 2.0 ports. Some inexpensive suppliers may supply cables that solely purpose the C oval caput connector, but amongst compatibility for solely the older 2.0 standard—be certain to depository fiscal establishment check when you're buying them that they back upwardly high-speed data, if that's what y'all need.
Another selection for expanding your access to USB-C ports is a converter, which is essentially the same every bit an A-to-C cable, but compact as well as designed to jibe onto the terminate of your existing USB-C-to-C cables. Again, endure certain to purpose your faster USB 3.0 or higher upwardly ports amongst converters if at all possible.
Now, obviously, y'all could also purpose this solution for desktop PCs if y'all bring a spare USB 3.0 port available. If y'all don't, as well as if y'all don't take away heed opening upwardly your case, at that spot are ameliorate options.
Options for Desktop Users
Desktops are much to a greater extent than flexible past times design. In improver to access to the cables as well as adapters mentioned above, desktop users tin expand their hardware amongst novel cards or drive bay expansion gadgets. Let's pause downwards the options.
Use an Expansion Card to Add Rear Ports
If your motherboard has any open PCI-Express slots, y'all tin use an expansion card to add together USB-C ports to the bring upwardly of the PC. This requires taking off the outer case, removing the corresponding expansion tab, as well as and then installing the novel bill of fare direct to the motherboard. The procedure is precisely the same every bit installing a Wi-Fi PCI-Express card, as described inward this article. These cards may also back upwardly SATA cables for extra power, allowing phones as well as similar gadgets to accuse to a greater extent than quickly.
Use an Adapter Panel to Add Front Ports
If your illustration has an opened upwardly 3.5-inch bay (the floppy disk size) or a 5.25-inch bay (the regular difficult drive size), y'all tin add together USB-C ports to the forepart of your PC, too. You tin buy 3.5-inch adapter panels or 5.25-inch adapter panels pretty cheaply. They connect to your motherboard's 19/20-pin forepart panel port as well as purpose the motherboard's SATA connections for ability draw. The forepart USB connexion panel on most novel motherboards looks similar this:
One matter y'all desire to sentry for when shopping for adapter panels is whether they also characteristic measure USB ports, every bit well. That's because the built-in forepart USB ports on your PC won't locomote anymore after y'all plug this panel into the motherboard's forepart panel port. Both the models nosotros linked higher upwardly characteristic a Type C port, a few regular USB ports, as well as fifty-fifty fast charging ports.
Swap Your Case If You're Feeling Adventurous
If y'all desire permanent USB-C ports available, y'all tin larn for a to a greater extent than drastic upgrade. Some PC cases are forthwith coming with USB-C inputs correct on the forepart panel. You tin purchase a novel case, motility all your parts over, connect the forepart input panel to your motherboard, as well as you'll endure practiced to go. It's a time-consuming process, as well as 1 that tin endure intimidating if you've never done it before. Here's our total guide.
And of course, y'all tin upgrade the motherboard itself, since many novel models come upwardly amongst 1 or to a greater extent than USB-C ports on the principal I/O panel. But that would to a greater extent than oft than non hateful re-installing your operating organization too, as well as perhaps upgrading your CPU as well as RAM…and at that betoken y'all mightiness every bit good simply purchase (or build) a novel PC amongst USB-C ports from the get-go.
