NZXT USB Expansion and why it can help

NZXT makes cases, sure. We know that. However, a small press release crossed our desk recently that mentioned an internal USB expansion gadget from the same company. The IU01 Internal USB Expansion is a simple gadget that solves two problems: It provides a solid 5V of power to oft-underpowered front panel USB connectors, and it provides two internal USB ports for memory cards.

This is not a product that we can really “review”, as such. Instead we can say: This product is available, it’s cool, and it’s useful. Very often, motherboard USB headers are slightly underpowered, and you may get voltage warnings if you plug too many devices into the front panel connectors, or a device that requires a solid 5V signal. The IU01 gives you a 5v connector hooked up to a molex, which you can plug into any power supply lead inside your case, thus bringing a strong 5V straight to the USB. You simply plug the expander into one of your motherboard headers, plug the power in, and plug your front panel connectors to the IU01.

The expander installed deep in the bowels of a computer

In addition to the power, you can plug in one or two high speed USB flash drives internally, and use it for ReadyBoost or additional high speed “sort-of SSD” storage. A 64 or 128gb flash drive in this slot would make a great scratch disk for a variety of applications or temporary storage needs.

There you have it. For about twenty bucks, you get a nifty little gadget that can be surprisingly helpful. It would be nice to have this as a pack-in in future NZXT cases, but for now, this will do.