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If you are like me and have a nice older case that you don't want to get rid of but also want the convenience of additional USBs, audio, mic, eSata, and Firewire accessibility at the front of your case, then I would suggest the Startech 35BAYPANELBK Black 3.5" Drive Bay Multi-Port Panel.
Newegg Link
The Startech is the black 3.5 device on top, the white one below is a separate USB hub.
For me, I don't use 3.5 floppy disks anymore, (as you would know if you read this post about floppy disk pen holders I made), and I did not want to use one of my 5.25 bays since I have my hard drive, DVD-rom, and Thermaltake shelf occupying those areas. So instead I wanted to use my 3.5 bays, which is why I got the Startech.
A big bonus for me was the fact that all the connectors (audio,USB,firewire,eSata) were motherboard connectors so you could plug them right into your motherboard headers and for the eSata, an available sata port.
In addition, the audio connectors use both AC97 and HD Audio so you could run this on an older motherboard if necessary.
A problem I was having is that my white USB hub I originally put in the case requires you to run a USB cable through the back of the case and plug it into an available USB port, very sloppy if you ask me. Anyways, I did this and my Maxtor Onetouch external drive was not getting enough power because of the "daisy chain" system this USB hub used.
In the case of the Startech, since the USB runs directly to the motherboard, I can use my external drive and other high powered devices just fine.
Overall, I would highly suggest this device if you are in the market for more front port accessibility.
Startech Black 3.5 Drive Bay Multi-Port Panel Review
Post Rating:
If you are like me and have a nice older case that you don't want to get rid of but also want the convenience of additional USBs, audio, mic, eSata, and Firewire accessibility at the front of your case, then I would suggest the Startech 35BAYPANELBK Black 3.5" Drive Bay Multi-Port Panel. Newegg Link
The Startech is the black 3.5 device on top, the white one below is a separate USB hub.
For me, I don't use 3.5 floppy disks anymore, (as you would know if you read this post about floppy disk pen holders I made), and I did not want to use one of my 5.25 bays since I have my hard drive, DVD-rom, and Thermaltake shelf occupying those areas. So instead I wanted to use my 3.5 bays, which is why I got the Startech.
A big bonus for me was the fact that all the connectors (audio,USB,firewire,eSata) were motherboard connectors so you could plug them right into your motherboard headers and for the eSata, an available sata port.
In addition, the audio connectors use both AC97 and HD Audio so you could run this on an older motherboard if necessary.
A problem I was having is that my white USB hub I originally put in the case requires you to run a USB cable through the back of the case and plug it into an available USB port, very sloppy if you ask me. Anyways, I did this and my Maxtor Onetouch external drive was not getting enough power because of the "daisy chain" system this USB hub used.
In the case of the Startech, since the USB runs directly to the motherboard, I can use my external drive and other high powered devices just fine.
Overall, I would highly suggest this device if you are in the market for more front port accessibility.
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Cody
LOL jesse quit bein jealous :D
Jesse
You bastard... Thats my old computer case!!
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