Explaining PC Front Panel Connectors

How to wire a desktop PC motherboard’s front panel header to connect the case power switch, reset switch, power LED and drive LED, as well as a case speaker or buzzer, and a chassis intrusion detector.

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Front Panel Basics
04:52 The Switches
07:11 The LEDs
09:23 The Speaker
11:54 Wrap

#FrontPanel #JFP1 #ExplainingComputers

[PS_Tube]

Hello Chris.
This video of today is really a unique one. Don't think any channel dealt with it in such extensive manner.

[PCUSE]

Sometimes the hardest thing about the computer build is getting the front panel wiring correct. Another excellent video for novice or veteran pc builder.

[luckybear]

Beautiful CGI work, crisp and flawless 🤩 and as always, a very informative video! 😇

[klwtherd]

So many channels on Youtube showing how to build your own computer but they always seem to gloss over the front header panel hookups and procedures. Nice to see this channel still provides education on topics that might be viewed as alittle outdated but yet to many of us who grew up with older desktops remember the fun(sarcasm) in getting all these lead correct. Thank you!

[kote]

A small observation: with the correct polarity of the LEDs, the inscriptions on the connectors will be outside.
The speakers operate on alternating current, so they do not have polarity in the usual sense. However, the polarity is often marked on the speakers. The fact is that the speakers in multi-channel systems must be correctly phased, otherwise the sounds from different speakers in antiphase will cancel each other out and it will sound really wrong. Therefore, on the speakers there are conventionally plus and minus inscriptions in order to connect them correctly. If there is only one speaker, it doesn't matter.
There are also buzzers with a built-in generator, polarity is important for them (but they are not used in ordinary computers).
By the way, that small black buzzers are not piezoelectric. Although they have some design differences from conventional speakers, they are still dynamic, with a coil and a magnet.

[DDRWakaLaka]

I'm really glad that like 99% of manufacturers have the layout of these standardized nowadays, it was such a nightmare having to manually do each pin. Audio ones were the worst, because cases would commonly use different terminology than what the mobo manual said. X(

[MikiMiki-fl]

This is by far the best video on the given topic. Very detailed and simplified for everyone to understand. Ytb influencers can also watch it to learn how to make an educational video

[briankleinschmidt]

So gratifying to hear the beep after you connect the speaker.

[Grant_S_M]

This is a must-watch for PC enthusiasts, tinkerers and up and coming hobbyists. So many young people I've talked to have expressed interest in learning about, and building retro computers. More so than ever before! Your channel is an invaluable resource for this growing segment. Thank you, Chris.

[tiagomarques]

This guy always make videos like he's on 2006 youtube and i love it, very informative like always

[williamgalindo]

I teach English in my own school in Minorca Spain and I have a couple of students studying I.T. Your videos are the perfect exercise for polishing their comprehension. Congratulatios Chris

[ptzzz]

The mention at 10:14 of using speakers from old electronic devices was great and adding that idea with salvaging front panel cables from discarded PC cases and soldering them together is a cheap or in many cases free way of making a PC beeper/speaker.

I made one myself via that method as I like hearing those POST beeps that bring me back to the Althlon XP computer my family had when I was younger. They've been very convinent too as budget motherboards often don't have the segmented LED displays that display error codes during the POST process.

Had to make a separate comment for that additional engagement for the algorithm overlords and to not lose the heart from you Chris. Keep up the nice work with these very informative videos!

[makori]

The stuff no pc builder ever shows, thank you for this

[caylasmirawooding]

Even after all the years I have been watching your videos, I never fail to learn something new each time. Please never stop teaching me 🙂

[bertblankenstein]

I've fiddled with making these connections. Once the main board is in the case there is far less room, it gets much harder to see down there and plugging stuff in is tedious. I've also had to convert between 2 and 3 pins, and 3 and 4 too, by finding an appropriate bit of plastic and moving the wires in to that. Good times indeed.

[aw]

These connectors are a hangover from the last century. PCs I built in the mid-90s had the same connectors.
Amazing the industry has never standardized on a single large connector for these.

[davenz]

25 years of this rubbish and the manufacturers still haven't managed to agree on a 'standard' . Even if they had to use a proprietary dongle to a standard case connector.

[poppasteve]

This has always been the most unpleasant aspect of computer building as far as I'm concerned. For the most part, I connect the power switch and call it good. But I admire you and all of those out there who take the time and effort to hook up everything.

[edwardaudet]

I build a few computers in my day and always worry about the front panel connectors. I was always afraid I blow something up. And goodbye build. You have put me at ease it's not as bad as I thought. Thanks Chris for another get video

[johncundiff]

Excellent job my friend. I just sent this to a young noob building their first PC! This will prove to be very useful! Thanks!