Advise on motherboard purchase

[Roy Smith]

On Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:48:52 -0400, Doug wrote:

> On 10/1/2010 4:59 PM, r wrote:
>> On 01-Oct-10 16:51:06 Franz Waldmüller wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>
>>> I am about to assemble a new PC as my really old ones are dying. I
>>> don't like to buy a new machine every two years that is why I am
>>> looking for some "future proof" components.
>>
>> I built a PC about a year ago, and one problem I found out after
>>
>> assembling was that the motherboard had a huge amount of USB on
>>
>> the motherboard, but the tower only had a few sockets.
>>
>> Most of the USB couldnt be utilized, these are the sockets which
>>
>> connect to the ones at the front of the tower.
>>
>> Unless someone knows how to utilize these.
>>
> /snip/
> A number of companies make cables to go from the mobo to the front panel
> of the computer.  Unfortunately, most of them will require you to make
> your own adaptation to mount the front panel sockets. I made one for
> dual usb connectors on a blank panel for a 3½" drive bay. I fastened the
> connectors with hot glue.  Somebody must make this ready-to-go, but I
> don't know who.  I got my extensions from
> 
> http://www.frontx.com/panel_mount.html
> 
> BTW:  It's not so easy to make neat rectangular holes in a plastic
> panel.  If I were doing it again, I think I'd find a thin piece of sheet
> metal to mount the connectors, then make a big ugly rectangular hole in
> the plastic false front, and rivet or bolt the neat sheet metal piece to
> the cut-out plastic.  Quicker and less hassle.  Of course, if your front
> panel has some unoccupied flat metal space, you could mount the
> connectors there.
> 
> To make neat rectangular holes in sheet metal, use an Adel™ nibbling
> tool.  Drill a starting hole in the middle of the workspace to fit the
> nibbler in, and then make the nice rectangular hole.

Have you tried using a Dremel tool to make the rectangular hole in 
plastic?  They have a variety of cutting wheels that one could use on 
plastic.