PCI-E Questions

[niemiro]

Hello,

I am really not very good with hardware, but I want to install some new USB 3.0 ports. I have selected a card, ASUS U2S6 USB3.0/Sata3 6Gbps PCIE Card and I want to install it. I have checked my computer and I do have the required PCI-E port. That is not the problem. Just two questions:

1) This website seems to suggest that it will only work on some very selected motherboards. Asus U3S6 USB3.0 & SATA 6Gbps PCI-Express Controller Card [U3S6] Controller Cards SATA III 6Gbps

Compatible motherboards: P7P55D Deluxe, P7P55D EVO, P7P55D PRO, P7P55D, P7P55D LE, P7P55 LX

However, my motherboard is not listed. I thought that PCI-E cards were just meant to be insert and install drivers. Is this not the case?

2) Also, I have noticed that this card does not require additional power. Does this mean that it might not be able to power some of the more power consuming USB gadgets that I might buy? Therefore, would this be a better choice: UNITEK 2 Port USB 3.0 PCI Express Card Reviewed

I do have a spare Molex power cable, so that would not be a problem, though an extension would be required (again not a problem)

I do like the idea of having the extra SATA3 connections (and I know that using them may slow things down) but primarily this is for my USBs, so I want proper functionality.

Thanks for any help,

Richard

 

[osholt]

Hi Richard,

After doing some research I can say quite confidently that not requiring a separate power lead is a feature of the design and shouldn't affect the performance of power hungry devices.

I can also say with reasonable certainty that it doesn't require one of the motherboards on the list, it just requires a motherboard with a PCI-E slot that can support at least x4.

If you would like to do a little more research or prove to yourself what I'm saying isn't a load of old rubbish check out ASUS U3S6 USB 3.0/SATA 3 6Gbps PCIE Card Review.

I hope this helps you.

Oli

 

[MilesAhead]

I recently put in a USB 3.0 card. Although I didn't read the ASUS material in great detail, the impression I got was, if you wanted 6 Gbs performance you should have an ASUS motherboard as described. Otherwise you're likely to get 5 Gbs. The card I put in my quad core is SIIG 5 Gbs and it cranks!! I got a new WD Caviar Black 640 GB w/64 MB cache. I can read from it at 138 MB/sec. I think you'll be glad you did USB 3.0 if you've been using USB 2.0 external drives or docks. I got a couple of Sharkoon USB 3.0 docking stations and it's a world of difference copying multiGB files to and from, compared to USB 2.0.

 

[niemiro]

Thanks very much everyone. I will buy the ASUS card and report back on how it goes in a few weeks.

 

[niemiro]

Just received and installed it and loving every second of it. It will make a big difference next time I need to make large file transfers (internal drives not an option) of up to 250gb.

 

[osholt]

Just received and installed it and loving every second of it. It will make a big difference next time I need to make large file transfers (internal drives not an option) of up to 250gb.

I'm glad to see it was a success.

Now all you need is something to plug into it .

Keep saving for that 2 TB HDD.

Oli