Functions as expected, but it is very difficult to install.4/12/2019 10:18:47 AM
Pros: A reasonable price for what you're getting. Two extra USB 2.0 ports is a handy bonus for my small ASRock A300W, as I can plug my keyboard/mouse into these ports, then have three remaining USB type-A ports for my printer, phone charger, and a USB stick. Definitely worth the price for the added functionality.
Cons: This is very difficult to install. I have the ASRock A300W and am using the Wraith Stealth cooler (with the outer shroud removed). Even with the stock cooler, this would be difficult.
The screws to mount the USB ports to the case work just fine, but the internal cable that you attach to the motherboard's USB 2.0 header is difficult to handle. The cable is a bit too long and there isn't much room to put the extra cable length. The USB ports housing/shroud extends too deep into the case, requiring you to bend the internal cable at nearly 90 degree to allow it to fit above the motherboard. As you try and close the motherboard into the case, the extra-long internal USB cable likes to get caught between the internal front of the case and the motherboard itself, causing you to be unable to close the case. I ultimately had several thick paper clips looped through the outside of the case (through the air vents) going into the case to help "pull" the internal USB cable up higher, away from the motherboard, then slid the motherboard in, and finally removed the paper clips.
By far, this was one of the most difficult PC hardware installations I've ever had, and I've built dozens of PCs, including several mITX cases (albeit non as small as the mini-STX A300W). Due to the difficult installation (a combination of bad USB housing, a somewhat thick and too-long cable, and the arguably bad accessibility of the A300W case itself), I am removing two eggs from my rating. Once you get it installed, it's worth a 5/5, but the installation is so painful that I honestly never want to open this case again out of the headache I know I'll experience having to get this cable corralled once more... so, 3/5.
Increased IO with some frustrations3/18/2020 9:54:19 AM
Pros: -easy to mount
-Inexpensive way to expand USB ports
-easy to plug in
-No drives needed
Cons: -Difficult to cable manage
Overall Review: As the deskmini's only come with 3 usb type A ports and 1 usb type C, being able to add on two more ports near the front is a very welcome improvement, even if they are only usb 2.0. Mounting them to the case is very easy; just pull out the motherboard tray, poke out the two slots for the USB sockets, and hold the end of the cable in place while you put two screws in. Plugging it into the motherboard is also very easy and clearly labeled. The tough part is re-closing the unit with the cables not blocking a fan, or stopping the board from being able to slide back in all the way. Unlike the picture, mine was two smaller cables, which did help routing them along side of the case. Though it was quite the chore, and took about 15-20 minutes trying to find a way to easily keep them out of the way as you close the case.
Over all, if you're just looking for an easy to use computer with very little assembly, I'd avoid this expansion. If you feel like you know what you're doing and know you'll want more USB type A ports, than this is the way to go.
Anonymous
Ownership: 1 week to 1 month
Verified Owner
nice, perfect location for keyboard/mouse7/27/2017 8:26:26 PM
Pros: - perfect location for keyboard and mouse
- ordered two separately, both were in same nice bubble wrap packaging. (not mailer, i mean product)
Cons: - A little hard to install, but i remembered seeing step by step pictures on ASRock's website in their FAQ.
Overall Review: So if you cant find the FAQ answer
- break tabs, screw it in
- you need to pretty much bend the cables 90 degrees (best to have them parallel, and not one under the other for more height clearance) for there to be enough clearance to not hit the port the cable plugs into when installing the motherboard back into case.
- route cable through same two clips that the front panel power/lights cables go through for a little cable management
FYI: H110M chipset itself only provides a maximum of 4 USB 3.0 ports, that's why...
Anonymous
Ownership: 1 month to 1 year
Verified Owner
Works as expected4/29/2020 10:01:07 PM
Overall Review: This cable was a no-brainer to get for my A300 systems. Like another reviewer said, it takes some patience to route this properly so that the case can close all the way. What I did was to twist-tie the cable closely to the side panel grill to prevent it from touching the motherboard while closing the case.
Anonymous
Ownership: 1 day to 1 week
Verified Owner
Tight fit in an already compact case3/22/2019 6:21:40 AM
Pros: -Adds 2 additional USB 2.0 ports at the front of the Deskmini
Cons: -Thick cabling makes installation/cable management a bit of a challenge
Overall Review: I found it a little challenging to effectively install this USB component. The cable is thick, as expected. The problem is that there is a limited amount of space in the Deskmini (I have the A300 model). I tried different cable routing options to make sure the cable didn’t block the front I/O ports on the board when re-inserting the board while also ensuring the cable didn’t run over the heatsink fan. As another reviewer pointed out, the cable has to almost be bent at 90 degrees at the USB port end to clear the mobo/m.2 drive. I ended up routing the cable along the left side of the case (if viewing from behind) and even then ran into the cable sometimes slipping into the small space between the VRM heatsink and the side wall of the case. Eventually I managed to fit it in, but felt a little too “stuffed” for my liking.
Perfect addition to a great mini PC11/6/2016 9:28:05 AM
Pros: Was able to add 2 USB ports to the case in a few minutes. Much better than an external USB hub.
BTW, loving the ASRock DeskMini, much quieter and cooler than I expected (around 32C)
Cons: Would be better if a few dollars cheaper but around $10 it is worth it to not have to mess with an external hub
Doesn't fit ASRock DeskMini X3005/10/2021 12:18:29 PM
Pros: Not a bad unit as built...
Cons: ... but really doesn't fit in the cramped quarters of the DeskMini X300. The molding on the back of the female connector block protrudes too far, causing the cable to graze or actually strike against the top of the any installed NVMe SSD (especially with a heat sink attached).
Even if the molding depth were not a problem, it takes a ton of finagling to get the cable laid in where it won't get snagged. Part of this is due to the USB header being located where it is on the motherboard.
Overall Review: No, don't bother with this cable, just use a hub with the USB front or back ports on the motherboard.
Anonymous
Ownership: 1 week to 1 month
Verified Owner
Nightmare to install4/8/2020 2:54:43 AM
Pros: add USB A ports
Cons: nightmare to install due to poor design
held in place by two cheap screws, doesn't snap into place
Pros: A reasonable price for what you're getting. Two extra USB 2.0 ports is a handy bonus for my small ASRock A300W, as I can plug my keyboard/mouse into these ports, then have three remaining USB type-A ports for my printer, phone charger, and a USB stick. Definitely worth the price for the added functionality.
Cons: This is very difficult to install. I have the ASRock A300W and am using the Wraith Stealth cooler (with the outer shroud removed). Even with the stock cooler, this would be difficult. The screws to mount the USB ports to the case work just fine, but the internal cable that you attach to the motherboard's USB 2.0 header is difficult to handle. The cable is a bit too long and there isn't much room to put the extra cable length. The USB ports housing/shroud extends too deep into the case, requiring you to bend the internal cable at nearly 90 degree to allow it to fit above the motherboard. As you try and close the motherboard into the case, the extra-long internal USB cable likes to get caught between the internal front of the case and the motherboard itself, causing you to be unable to close the case. I ultimately had several thick paper clips looped through the outside of the case (through the air vents) going into the case to help "pull" the internal USB cable up higher, away from the motherboard, then slid the motherboard in, and finally removed the paper clips. By far, this was one of the most difficult PC hardware installations I've ever had, and I've built dozens of PCs, including several mITX cases (albeit non as small as the mini-STX A300W). Due to the difficult installation (a combination of bad USB housing, a somewhat thick and too-long cable, and the arguably bad accessibility of the A300W case itself), I am removing two eggs from my rating. Once you get it installed, it's worth a 5/5, but the installation is so painful that I honestly never want to open this case again out of the headache I know I'll experience having to get this cable corralled once more... so, 3/5.