A motherboard may utilize a retimer device to condition signals used for high-speed USB data transfers. Motherboard embodiments include a common footprint for USB retiming capabilities. A motherboard that supports high-speed USB transfers, such as transfers of 10 Gbps or greater, utilizes a retimer in the footprint. A motherboard that supports lower-speed USB transfers, such as 5 Gbps, utilizes a passive bridge component in the footprint, where the bridge may be formed from a dielectric substrate. During manufacture of an IHS (Information Handling System) a common motherboard is selected that includes a retimer footprint, where the motherboard includes traces that couple the footprint to a USB connector and traces that couple the footprint to a USB controller. Based on the USB transfer speeds to be supported by the motherboard, a USB retimer or a passive bridge is installed in the retimer footprint.