USB expansion card

[Cutechri]

I'm in need of one as the ports on this board aren't enough. Any good cards that have at least four USB 3.0 ports and doesn't require SATA power? Thanks.

 

[Ruru]

Does those exist? All USB3.0 cards I've had, had a molex connector. Is the connector-less a must-have?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Shouldn't be a huge difference these days. From past testing of USB 3.0 way back when it was a new thing, ASMedia was the better choice, together with NEC, which is now Renesas. Fresco Logic (now part of Parade) was alright as well. VLI had some issues back then, but might be fine now. TI I don't really know, as they didn't provide hardware for me to test at the time. Etron are alright as well, but are seemingly quite far behind now.

The SATA power is optional on all cards, as that's only required if you power devices from the ports that draw more than 900mA.

Personally, I would go with a known brand name, such as Silverstone or Akasa, so you get support if something goes wrong.

Also, doesn't your motherboard have extra headers for more ports? Then you could get something like this instead.

 

[Cutechri]

Is the connector-less a must-have?

No but it'd be better for cable management, I suppose those with SATA connectors are fine too, I just need a reliable one

The SATA power is optional on all cards, as that's only required if you power devices from the ports that draw more than 900mA.

Well I want to put my Razer Goliathus mousepad on it and my gamepad, and other USB sticks if need be. I recently got a DAC and had to ditch the mousepad lighting for it, so it'd be nice if I could have it back.

Also, doesn't your motherboard have extra headers for more ports?

Yeah, about that... I ruined the only USB header I had by accidentally ripping off the connector and now it's lodged in the socket LOL

 

[Ruru]

Yeah, about that... I ruined the only USB header I had by accidentally ripping off the connector and now it's lodged in the socket LOL

I know that feeling, I hate those USB3 headers. They're stiff as hell and when bent too much, the whole header is ruined, probably pins too.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Well I want to put my Razer Goliathus mousepad on it and my gamepad, and other USB sticks if need be. I recently got a DAC and had to ditch the mousepad lighting for it, so it'd be nice if I could have it back.

Still, do any of those draw more than the USB 3.0 spec allows for? If not, it's not an issue.
I'd say you want to avoid cards with a USB hub on them, so get a four port controller.

You could be brave and try this https://www.amazon.fr/ELUTENG-dextension-Transfert-Contrôleur-Compatible/dp/B088BJYHLQ/

 

[Cutechri]

I'd say you want to avoid cards with a USB hub on them, so get a four port controller.

Such as? I can't find any

 

[TheLostSwede]

Such as? I can't find any

See link above. It's some random brand from the PRC though.

 

[Toothless]

Grabbed this for my media, thinking it's the onboard USB that was the issue.

FEB Smart PCIe USB carte PCIe USB carte d'extension PCIe USB 3.0 carte PCIe USB Hub Renasas contrôleur USB USB Extender FS-U4-Pro FS-U4-Pro : Amazon.fr: Informatique

FEB Smart PCIe USB carte PCIe USB carte d'extension PCIe USB 3.0 carte PCIe USB Hub Renasas contrôleur USB USB Extender FS-U4-Pro FS-U4-Pro : Amazon.fr: Informatique

www.amazon.fr

Edit: Not available there. weird.

Does pretty well too.

 

[Cutechri]

How about this https://www.amazon.fr/SupaHub-ports-Express-passante-extension/dp/B0937126PY/

Grabbed this for my media, thinking it's the onboard USB that was the issue.

Does pretty well too.

Not available here unfortunately :c

 

[Toothless]

How about this https://www.amazon.fr/SupaHub-ports-Express-passante-extension/dp/B0937126PY/


Not available here unfortunately :c

Looks like it needs sata power.

 

[Cutechri]

Yeah that's okay, not sure if it's any good though

 

[Toothless]

Your best bet is reviews, honestly. I've had to do that with PCI to sata, PCI to nvme/m.2, etc.

Inateck [Mac Pro Auto Alimentation] KT4004 Carte Contrôleur USB 3.0 4 Ports PCI Express pour Mac Pro Carte Expansion USB 3.0 : Amazon.fr: Informatique

Inateck [Mac Pro Auto Alimentation] KT4004 Carte Contrôleur USB 3.0 4 Ports PCI Express pour Mac Pro Carte Expansion USB 3.0 : Amazon.fr: Informatique

www.amazon.fr

 

[Cutechri]

How about this https://www.amazon.fr/SupaHub-ports-Express-passante-extension/dp/B0937126PY/

I'm going to take my chances with this one.

 

[Ruru]

What I've always been wondering is that doesn't PCIe x1 provide enough power, why these need external power..?

 

[TheLostSwede]

How about this https://www.amazon.fr/SupaHub-ports-Express-passante-extension/dp/B0937126PY/

Two chips = hub
Even worse, it has a Genesys Logic hub on it, it's the worst shite company when it comes to anything USB.
Super budget crap that tends to die. I have one of their USB 2.0 hubs on my Gigabyte board and it has caused all sorts of weird USB issues, not just for me, but for other people too.
Do NOT buy that card!

Grabbed this for my media, thinking it's the onboard USB that was the issue.

FEB Smart PCIe USB carte PCIe USB carte d'extension PCIe USB 3.0 carte PCIe USB Hub Renasas contrôleur USB USB Extender FS-U4-Pro FS-U4-Pro : Amazon.fr: Informatique

FEB Smart PCIe USB carte PCIe USB carte d'extension PCIe USB 3.0 carte PCIe USB Hub Renasas contrôleur USB USB Extender FS-U4-Pro FS-U4-Pro : Amazon.fr: Informatique

www.amazon.fr

Edit: Not available there. weird.

Does pretty well too.

The one I linked to is exactly the same card, by a different "brand".

Your best bet is reviews, honestly. I've had to do that with PCI to sata, PCI to nvme/m.2, etc.

Inateck [Mac Pro Auto Alimentation] KT4004 Carte Contrôleur USB 3.0 4 Ports PCI Express pour Mac Pro Carte Expansion USB 3.0 : Amazon.fr: Informatique

Inateck [Mac Pro Auto Alimentation] KT4004 Carte Contrôleur USB 3.0 4 Ports PCI Express pour Mac Pro Carte Expansion USB 3.0 : Amazon.fr: Informatique

www.amazon.fr

That's a very old Fresco Logic controller and the only reason it has good reviews, is because there's native support for OSX for it.
And yes, at one point I was involved in hacking together working USB 3.0 drivers in OSX for USB 3.0 cards, based on their driver.

What I've always been wondering is that doesn't PCIe x1 provide enough power, why these need external power..?

For devices that draw more than 900mA.
It's a cheaper way of boosting the power to the ports, since as you can see, the cards without it, has extra components to deliver enough current.

 

[Ruru]

For devices that draw more than 900mA.
It's a cheaper way of boosting the power to the ports, since as you can see, the cards without it, has extra components to deliver enough current.

Hm, weird. I thought that they have the electronics that the PCIe connector gives enough juice.

 

[Cutechri]

Okay then so wtf should I buy. Give me links. I'm a retard who doesn't know what to look for.

Great, and I can't cancel this order anymore.

 

[Shou Miko]

I know many properly won't approve of this Chenyang USB card but you get up to 7 ports and no external power

Link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002932680105.html

But lets be honest this card runs at PCI-E 2.0 x1 which is about 500MB/s which ain't ideal 3.0 and even 4.0 would be better.

But if you ain't gonna use all the ports heavy and at once it should properly be alright.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Okay then so wtf should I buy. Give me links. I'm a retard who doesn't know what to look for.

Great, and I can't cancel this order anymore.

I did link to a card above?
It's only €15 and should do the job.
Just don't expect any support, but at €15 it's not crazy money and it's the same card as what was suggested but Toothless.
The link again, just in case.

https://www.amazon.fr/ELUTENG-dextension-Transfert-Contr%C3%B4leur-Compatible/dp/B088BJYHLQ/

I know many properly won't approve of this Chenyang USB card but you get up to 7 ports and no external power

Link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002932680105.html

But lets be honest this card runs at PCI-E 2.0 x1 which is about 500MB/s which ain't ideal 3.0 and even 4.0 would be better.

But if you ain't gonna use all the ports heavy and at once it should properly be alright.

That card uses a hub. Not something the OP is going to want. It's also limited to 900mA and as the OP wants to power things from the USB ports, the one I linked above, can do 2A per port.
That card is sold under different brands on Amazon.fr as well.

Jevindo Carte d'extension USB 3.0 PCI-E 7 ports USB 3.0 Hub externe PCI-E Extender Carte PCI Express pour ordinateur de bureau : Amazon.fr: Informatique

Achetez Jevindo Carte d'extension USB 3.0 PCI-E 7 ports USB 3.0 Hub externe PCI-E Extender Carte PCI Express pour ordinateur de bureau : Cartes réseaux : Amazon.fr ✓ Livraison gratuite dès 25€

www.amazon.fr

So far, there are no PCIe 4.0 USB host controllers.
There are however cards like this, that has a dedicated PCIe lane per USB port.

Allegro Pro Type A USB 3.2 Gen 2 - Sonnet

 

[Shou Miko]

I did link to a card above?
It's only €15 and should do the job.
Just don't expect any support, but at €15 it's not crazy money and it's the same card as what was suggested but Toothless.


That card uses a hub. Not something the OP is going to want. That card is sold under different brands on Amazon.fr as well.

So far, there are no PCIe 4.0 USB host controllers.

That's why I wrote the way I wrote not ideal use and specially not at PCI-E 2.0 speeds.

 

[Cutechri]

I did link to a card above?
It's only €15 and should do the job.
Just don't expect any support, but at €15 it's not crazy money and it's the same card as what was suggested but Toothless.

It's not available either.

I'm just gonna use what I bought and return it if it's bad, it's Amazon for crying out loud, free returns.

 

[TheLostSwede]

It's not available either.

I'm just gonna use what I bought and return it if it's bad, it's Amazon for crying out loud, free returns.

Huh? I can see it as available... Otherwise I wouldn't have linked to it.
There are other sellers that have the same card as well, such as this

https://www.amazon.fr/dexpansion-connecteur-dalimentation-suppl%C3%A9mentaire-ordinateurs/dp/B01M7UG7A3/

and

KALEA-INFORMATIQUE © - Carte Contrôleur PCIE 4 PORTS USB3 (USB 3.0 SUPERSPEED 5G) - HIGH POWER 8A - PROTECTION SEPAREE DES 4 PORTS - CHIPSET NEC D720201 : Amazon.fr: Informatique

KALEA-INFORMATIQUE © - Carte Contrôleur PCIE 4 PORTS USB3 (USB 3.0 SUPERSPEED 5G) - HIGH POWER 8A - PROTECTION SEPAREE DES 4 PORTS - CHIPSET NEC D720201 : Amazon.fr: Informatique

www.amazon.fr

If you're going to power things that you think draw more than 900mA off the card, you're going to need something like this, or it won't work.
The one you ordered is just a bizarre mix of parts, as it has a Renesas host controller = Good
But then they stuck that shit Genesys Logic hub on there which is utter crap.
At least it looks like the three bottom most ports are connected directly to the Renesas host controller, with the top two and internal header going via the hub.
On the plus side, I guess you can plug in your front case connectors to the card you ordered.
That card claims 1A per port, which is somewhat better than spec.

 

[Cutechri]

Too late now

If you're going to power things that you think draw more than 900mA off the card

I'm too stupid to know

 

[TheLostSwede]

Too late now


I'm too stupid to know

Well, the device should say how much power it uses...
The card you ordered, does at least have three decent ports, the ones behind the hub, well, good luck with those.