Interesting PCIe card for adding 7 USB ports

Any one uses the PCIe card below?

No desktop tower that I ever had, had enough USB ports, I use a powered (external) USB hub at the moment > external clutter. This internal card can be hooked up to SATA power > reduce external clutter (and it would all be neatly in the back of the tower for my purposes although 1 of the 7 ports is internal)

(The company has also faster cards at lower ports count)

There are quite a lot of them around at the usual online vendors. I havent used that particular one. Has your mobo got usb3 headers so you can plug in cable and have them at the front of the pc?

The particular PCIe card has 6 external and 1 internal USB port, if I understand you correctly. For my purposes, I have no need for the 1 internal port, but I very much like / need the 6 external ports in the back of the tower. My only concern is the specified RW speed of about 400 MBPS (in the graphic) which I understand as the shared throughput of the serial bus, but on the other hand I hardly ever use more than 1 high speed USB device at the same time.

Also, as to the terms used in the link:
is 'standard profile' the same as 'full height'?
is 'low profile' the same as 'half height'?
I usually see the latter terms.

I have not seen PCIe cards with 6 or more external USB ports (in the back of the tower) elsewhere, but if there are others, please let me know, thanks!

Edit: I found the following 7 port card, but it looks like a full height card, judging from the height of the card compared to the length of the bracket in the pic > it won't fit in my tower but it made me think that 7 ports on full height is less crowded than 6 ports on half height / low profile.

I've been using them in builds for several years, the seven port versions mainly and may have used the StarTech units, but would need to go through purchase orders to be sure.

I have used Startech hardware over the years without any serious issues

With the USB PCI-e cards I will generally only use them for lower power devices (or those with external PSUs) and thus retain the onboard USB3.2 ports for things like External SSD or NVMe Drives. I also use them exclusively for items that are positioned at the rear of the Desktop Case (eg.at the rear of he desk )

I also route the on board higher power ports to the top/front of desks via High grade cables and/or hubs so it's easier to attach temporary use items

EDIT

I have just checked my Amazon orders Amazon is my goto for components, when I need them in a hurry. normally because I forgot to order something over the last 2 years or so I've ordered similar cards from several manufacturers and had no issues, the reason for the multiple sources is that these kind of items are often only offered for a short time so there could be upgraded versions still available

one thing to check is the way the ports are powered most will have individual and/or shared ports, check the detailed specs to see that the rating is sufficient to cover your devices needs Some will actually work as a hub for data so be aware

I installed a 4 port USB3 card but had power issues and access problems
My preferred system is my 11 port powered usb3 hub and i can hide the cables

Hi there

I wouldn't plug in my external (powered) 4 Bay HDD enclosure with 4X 8TB (=32TB) running in a RAID 0 array into that combo -- MOBO would need decent USB bus to handle a few of those sorts of devices. For wireless mice, keyboars,some low powered "passport type" external HDD's and SSD's via SATA->USB connector though probably OK. It really depends on the Power supply your mobo gets from its PSU and the USB Bus on the mobo as to whether these are good or not.

If you can hide cables a powered multi-usb hub is much better -- A nice small powered 7-port AL one from anker is nice and does the job nicely.

Cheers
jimbo

To be honest I would never even consider connecting a four bay HDD directly to a PC - That's what NAS is designed for Though as it was externally powered and therefore only handling the data it would probably work fine as it would not need the external NAS processor to handle multiple read devices

Haydon said:

Any one uses the PCIe card below?

7 Pt PCI Express USB 3.0 Card - Std & LP - USB 3.0 Cards | StarTech.com

7 Port PCI Express USB 3.0 Card - 5Gbps - Standard/Low-Profile - SATA Power - UASP Support - 1 Internal & 6 External USB 3.0 Ports - Native OS Support

www.startech.com

No desktop tower that I ever had, had enough USB ports, I use a powered (external) USB hub at the moment > external clutter. This internal card can be hooked up to SATA power > reduce external clutter (and it would all be neatly in the back of the tower for my purposes although 1 of the 7 ports is internal)

(The company has also faster cards at lower ports count)

Click to expand...

Looks nice, but with that PCIe connection, is the speed reported a combined speed? I know some USB-C + PCI 3.0 cards are combined speeds using that PCIe connection.

Also, you can get less expensive, quality 7-port cards off Amazon.

I have a Silverstone Fortress FT02 case and use one of the front 5.25" front trays for a front panel USB hub. Model is an EZDIY-FAB 5.25in 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen2 hub and Type-C Port, front panel USB Hub with QC 3.0 quick charging. Uses the motherboard's 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen2 Type C (A-Key 20 pin) header connector and a spare SATA power supply. This enables easy access to sufficient USB ports (for charging as well) at the front of the case. It also allows me to change / update ports as USB tech changes. Latest computer cases forgo the front panels so this will not be available for many people. With the hot swap unit I also have two additional USB 3.1 Gen1 ports connected to the motherboard's USB 3.1 Gen1 19 pin header. I can run portable 2.5" hard drives including SSD / SIMs from these and the other faster ports.

​

See! That'll teach ya'll to buy cases without 5.25" bays.

Hm ... there seems to be concerns about powering the PCIe cards with 7 USB 3.0 ports (not even USB 3.1 or USB 3.2 ports) These PCIe cards are powered with the 15 pin to 4 pin SATA cables. And the most taxing use case (for me) is running 2 (and not more than 2 at the same time) USB 3.1 SSDs.

How much/little power does SATA provide?

Haydon said:

Hm ... there seems to be concerns about powering the PCIe cards with 7 USB 3.0 ports (not even USB 3.1 or USB 3.2 ports) These PCIe cards are powered with the 15 pin to 4 pin SATA cables. And the most taxing use case (for me) is running 2 (and not more than 2 at the same time) USB 3.1 SSDs.

How much/little power does SATA provide?

Click to expand...

Here's what EVGA has to say...

The ATX standard for SATA or Molex connections is rated for 54 watts. Each SATA/Molex connector provides three 12v pins at 1.5 amps each, for a total of 4.5 amps. 12 volts, times 4.5 amps, equals 54 watts able to be provided by a SATA/Molex connector.


Some PCIe risers do not conform to ATX specifications. As ATX specifications require the PCIe slot to supply 75 watts, a PCIe riser may potentially overdraw the SATA/Molex connector by 21 watts. Please confirm that any risers you use meet ATX specifications before use.

Click to expand...

Other articles say the same thing about the 5V lines as well.
Short version.... make sure w/e riser card you plug into the PCIe slot can supply the full 75w (ATX standard). If not, then the device (w/e it is) will draw more from the SATA power, than it can supply.


Unfortunately, the official SATA spec isn't free.

Ghot said:

Here's what EVGA has to say...





Other articles say the same thing about the 5V lines as well.
Short version.... make sure w/e riser card you plug into the PCIe slot can supply the full 75w (ATX standard). If not, then the device (w/e it is) will draw more from the SATA power, than it can supply.


Unfortunately, the official SATA spec isn't free.

Home | SATA-IO

sata-io.org

View attachment 12520

Click to expand...

Hi there
It's not only simply about the power consumption but the ability of the computers MOBO USB Bus to provide the required fast access. Things likepowered external multi-bay HDD enclosures manage by "Port replication" so they can work reasonably efficiently through a single USB connector to the computer. These internal cards usually always have some problems -- far better to get esata connection if you want that type of device access and use esata->esata connectors for things like external SSD's.

Other type USB devices e.g Mice, keyboards, wireless devices , / DVD recorders etc don't use much power and operate at USB2 speeds anyway/slow speeds anyway

The only "power hungry" usb device I have is a hardware external video capture card where I capture video from a satellite receiver or an Amazon fire stick in real time for later viewing.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
It's not only simply about the power consumption but the ability of the computers MOBO USB Bus to provide the required fast access. Things likepowered external multi-bay HDD enclosures manage by "Port replication" so they can work reasonably efficiently through a single USB connector to the computer. These internal cards usually always have some problems -- far better to get esata connection if you want that type of device access and use esata->esata connectors for things like external SSD's.

Other type USB devices e.g Mice, keyboards, wireless devices , / DVD recorders etc don't use much power and operate at USB2 speeds anyway/slow speeds anyway

The only "power hungry" usb device I have is a hardware external video capture card where I capture video from a satellite receiver or an Amazon fire stick in real time for later viewing.

Cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

Awesome.
For me... I only use an external USB port for mouse, keyboard, and the occasional USB flash drive... that's it.
I like to keep things simple.


/edit

Oops I forgot. Very rarely, I hook my DSLR or my flip phone to the comp to grab the pics. :)



Like so...

Ghot said:

https://www.amazon.com/MZHOU-Front-Drives-Transfer-Computer/dp/B082WWCD3N/ref=sr_1_24?keywords=USB+ports+-+5.25%22+bay&qid=1636021774&sr=8-24

View attachment 12518

https://www.amazon.com/EZDIY-FAB-5-25in-10Gbps-Type-C-Charging/dp/B07T5QQZG4/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=USB+ports+-+5.25%22+bay&qid=1636022129&sr=8-5

View attachment 12519



See! That'll teach ya'll to buy cases without 5.25" bays.

Click to expand...

They are getting harder to find. My new desktop from Micro Center has all the space but no external drive bays. I also had to find out how to open the internal compartment to install my internal Sata SSD drive.

My latest workstation case has two front bays, unfortunately the two 140mm fans for my water cooler for the processor impinge on the space for the bottom bay so I just have the one and that is fitted with a Hot Swap HDD caddy

Winuser said:

They are getting harder to find. My new desktop from Micro Center has all the space but no external drive bays. I also had to find out how to open the internal compartment to install my internal Sata SSD drive.

Click to expand...

The easiest way to find cases with 5.25" bays (or w/e you require), is to use PCPartpicker's navigation system.
You can also select the country at top right.


For example, here's a list of mid tower cases, sorted for ATX motherboard, no included power supply, and 2x 5.25" bays.
On the left you can see other options to sort for. At top right you can also choose price, lowest to highest, etc.





Best of all... after you sort for w/e you want, and then sort by price and country... PCPartpicker will find the best prices from all the etailers available to you, in that country.

If you "add" the item to the cart, you can then click on the items name, and see ALL the etailers in your country that have the case, and the price they are selling it for.



Here's the PCPartpicker page I have book marked. At the top just click on Browse Products...
Don't forget to choose your country at top right.


Also at the top (left-ish), you can click on System Builder, if you're gonna build a whole computer.






Here's the order I do things... (about 10 years, using this site)...

At the top I click on either Browse Products, or System Builder
Then I start with a component type.
Do my main sorting, down the left side.
Choose the country at the top right.
Pick the component I want from the resulting list.
Click ADD.

You don't buy from PCPartpicker, at the end of the line for each chosen component, you'll see a BUY button.
That will take you to the site with the lowest price.



After you have your... list (one part or many), you can click the item name to see ALL the etailer that sell the part and for how much, then you can click the little gear icon, to choose whatever site you like the best.

If you make a free account there, you can also SAVE parts lists.

When posting a PCpartpicker page in a forum, choose the link in the address bar for a single item, or page.
Choose the link on the left of the PCPartpicker page to link to a cart (aka completed build).





Here's a quick little $30,000.00 system I just whipped up... just add this to your Christmas list.
PCPartpicker would only let me add one video card, but you can buy more... singly.
Btw, those are OLED monitors. But, they are only 21.6" so you can substitute with 4 of these...

Wow... I've yet to have a need for that many USB ports. My case has five USB ports (four 3.0 USB ports and one USB Type-C port) at top, but I only have 3 ports active (2 USB 3 + the USB-C port) since my MB only allows two USB cables from case to board - 1 standard USB cable, and one USB type C cable for the USB C port. The other two USB ports are inactive since there's no board connection. (yes this is a weird high end board).

On the other hand the MB's I/O shield includes eight USB ports (USB 2, 3, 3.1) plus two USB Type-C ports. I only have a need for six right now, and the front case ports are only used when I need an external USB connection such as a phone, external drive transfers.

The last internal USB hub I bought was an Adaptec USB 2.0 hub back in early 2000. I still have my external KDLINKS 4-Port USB 3.0 from 2013 but I don't use that anymore either.

That site can be useful for finding compatible products.

SIW2 said:

That site can be useful for finding compatible poducts, but it doesnt find the lowest price. Best to search for yourself.

Click to expand...

It finds the lowest prices of the sites they list.
For example... many times you can get a much better deal with a Micro Center package deal, which PCPartpicker doesn't list.