MSI Mortar USB-C Front Header | Generated by AI
Question: What is the black box component visible in the top-right corner of these MSI Mortar / Mortar II motherboard photos, near the SATA ports?
Answer:
That’s the internal USB Type-C front-panel header (MSI labels it JUSBC1 on Mortar-series boards).
Key identification points:
- Shape — unlike the pin-array headers for USB 2.0 (
JUSB1/2) or USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (which are 2×10 pin headers with visible pins), the USB-C internal header is a single molded plastic block with an internal keyed slot. That’s exactly what you’re seeing — a solid black box, not rows of pins. - Position — on Mortar/Mortar II boards this header sits right next to the SATA ports, close to
JTPM1andJFP1, which matches both your screenshots (you can seeJTPM1andJFP1labels right below it in image 1). - Function — it lets you run a cable from this header to a USB-C port on your case’s front panel, giving you a front USB-C connection at 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2) on most B650/B850 Mortar boards, or 5Gbps (Gen1) on older B450/B550 Mortar boards.
For confirmation on your exact board revision, check the MSI manual for whichever Mortar chipset you have — the MAG B850M Mortar WIFI user guide explicitly lists “JUSBC1: USB 10Gbps Type-C® Front Panel Connectors” in its connector table, right alongside the SATA and TPM headers, matching the layout in your photos.
If your case has a front-panel USB-C port with a matching keyed cable, that’s exactly where it plugs in. If you don’t have a USB-C front port, this header just goes unused — it’s optional, not required for the board to boot.
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