USB 3.x PCIe Cards for Classic Mac Pro

[macstatic]

Thanks for clearing up the slot issue.
Yes, not spending unnecessarily extra money on this would be nice
It appears the USB3C-2PM-E (ASM 1142 controller) is the best of the two single controller cards, correct?
It's a little more expensive than the USB3-4PM-E (Fresco Logic) and only has 2 ports, but being able to do 8 Gbps later on might come in handy.
I see no mention of the "Fresco Logic" chipset: how does it compare to ASM 1142 based cards?

 

[jscipione]

Thanks to Jscipione, Kohlson and Joevt for your comments!

Unfortunately the Inatech KT-4004 isn't available here in Norway, and ordering it from the States or elsewhere will become very expensive.
It looks like all the Sonnet cards are available here, but the model numbers vs. names are very confusing. I need to clear that up before risking ordering the wrong model.

It appears the 4-controller/4 port card is called "Allegro Pro" (USB3-PRO-4P10-E) and is the top of the line model. I'll have to pay around US$ 260 for it here, which is too much considering I don't have specific needs for multiple drives at the moment.

The second one you mention, Jscipione, (Sonnet Allegro 3.1) sounds like a middle ground, and I believe the model you're referring to is USB3C-4PM-E, but alas the price is around US$ 257, so I might as well get the 4-controller version (Allegro Pro: USB3-PRO-4P10-E) then.



Which one is this?
I can only find a 4-port (one controller) card but with USB-A connectors (USB3-4PM-E) for around US$ 94 and a 2-port USB-C card with one controller (USB3C-2PM-E) at around US$ 115.
If I'm not mistaken, the latter (USB3C-2PM-E) allows for higher speeds, but only has 2 ports (so I'd need a hub or re-evaluate if I can do with just 2 ports), while the former is slower but has 4 connectors (USB-A). With the minor price difference (US$ 21) it appears the 2-port USB-C is a better investment than the 4-port USB3-4PM-E (even though I'll likely have to buy USB A-C adapters or cables and possibly a USB hub).
But you're saying there's actually a third single-controller PCIe board with both higher speed and 4 connectors?

Then there's the Mac speed limitation which I don't quite understand.
Right now, the USB 3 devices I have to attach are: a card reader, a 2.5" HDD and several Flash memory sticks (I think a few of them are USB 3). This might change in the future, but I'm used to Firewire 800 speeds with spinning HDDs, and from what I understand this will be a step up from that in any case, regardless of the USB 3 card I get.
Back to the Mac: aren't there two types of card slots inside the Mac Pro 5,1? Two fast, two slower. Will it make any difference if I place one of the faster USB 3 PCIe cards discussed above in one of the faster slots, or will the difference be negligible for my use?



I need to figure out which card this is.
Which PCIe slot should a card like that be plugged into?


As for the other issues:
Kohlson: I don't have a Magic Mouse, but I do use Bluetooth now and then (file transfers from various mobile devices). Will I get problems with this when I have a USB-3 PCIe card installed?

Jscipione: I just found out that my legacy software does indeed still work with OSX 10.12 (Sierra), so I'm going to upgrade my OSX 10.11.6 (El Capitan) SSD to 10.12.6 and all will be fine!
It would be nice to boot from a USB-3 device, but nothing I can live without. If I really need to do that I can always plug it into the Mac Pro front USB-2 connectors which will do the job, but at lower speeds. Not a dealbreaker.


UPDATE: I've done some more research and think I've figured out all the model differences. They all appear to have the same names (Sonnet Allegro), so model numbers are very useful when knowing what to order:

4 controller PCIe card
Allegro Pro USB 3.0 PCIe (USB3-PRO-4PM-E) 4 ports (USB-A), 4x Fresco logic controllers, USB 3.0, 5 Gbps, bus-power/charging (DISCONTINUED)

2 controller PCIe cards
Allegro Pro type A USB 3.2 PCIe (USB3-PRO-4P10-E) 4 ports (USB-A), 2x ASMedia 1142 controllers, USB 3.2, 10 Gbps, bus-power/charging
Allegro USB-C 4 port PCIe (USB3C-4PM-E) 4 ports (USB-C), 2x ASMedia 3142 controllers (cards shipped before Jan 2020 used ASM 1142 controllers), USB 3.2, 10 Gbps, bus-power/charging

1 controller PCIe cards
Allegro type A USB 3.2 PCIe 4-port (USB3-4PM-E) 4 ports (USB-A), 1x Fresco logic controller, USB 3.2, 5 Gbps, bus-power/charging
Allegro USB-C PCIe (USB3C-2PM-E) 2 ports (USB-C), 1x ASMedia 1142, USB 3.2, 10 Gbps, bus-power/charging

I hope I got all that right

So the information I read from a local webstore about the USB3-PRO-4P10-E being a 4-controller board is incorrect as it has 2 controllers, and since the USB3-PRO-4PM-E is discontinued and I can't find it for sale anywhere it pretty much rules out a 4-controller board (at least from Sonnet).
I need to re-read all the info about the various chipsets used above (Fresco Logic, ASM 1142, ASM 3142) and see what's best overall with ports and general speed.
I've also considered Startech's PCIe USB 3 cards, such as the 2x ASM 1142 controller/4 port, 10 Gbps PEXUSB314A2V or (other models by Startech) as they're a little cheaper than Sonnet's offers, but they either don't mention Mac support (only Windows and Linux) or just OSX 10.9-10.10 so I'm not sure if that would be a mistake (although I've read of Mac users (in this thread?) who have used Startech cards with success (at least so far).

This is a lot to go through but you basically got it. The ASM1142 and ASM2142 and ASM3142 all support USB 3.1gen2 10gbps theoretical transfer rate but the ASM2142 and ASM3142 use a PCIe 3.0 x2 connection while the ASM1142 uses a PCIe 3.0 x1 connection. Fresco Logic means the FL1100 chipset which is the same chipset used on the KT-4004 and the discontinued Sonnet Allegro Pro and it supports PCIe 2.0 x1 with USB 3.0 5gbps theoretical transfer rate. I assume you may be able to get a Sonnet Allegro USB 3.0 card which is basically the same as the KT4004 but costs more because of the Sonnet branding. It sucks that you may have to pay more to get a basic card. Unfortunately the StarTech card requires you to plug in external power which is not easy to do on the Mac Pro so that’s not a good option. I wouldn’t get too hung up on the 2 controllers vs 4 on the Sonnet Allegro USB 3.1 vs the Sonnet Allegro Pro as the Pro uses the older chipset while the USB 3.1 card uses the newer ASM1142 chipset.

Get a cheap KT-4004 if you can, if not, you’re going to have to pick a more expensive option, sorry about that. At least you’re now know what you’re buying so you can make an informed decision.

 

[macstatic]

There's no KT-4004 to be found here (and ordering it from overseas will likely bring up the price towards that of a Sonnet or other "brand name" card).

Something I hadn't considered is that USB-C turns out not to be just another USB connector along the line of USB-A, -B, -Micro, -Mini etc. with its 4 or 5 pins but it has 24 pins to accomodate for the higher USB-3 speeds, so I should really be looking at USB-C equipped cards.
The dual-controller/4 port Sonnet Allegro USB3C-4PM-E would be my first choice in this regard, but with the rather high price I think not.

So next up is the single-controller/2 port Sonnet Allegro USB3C-2PM-E (still expensive, but less than half of the above). I believe for "legacy" USB devices I can just attach an adapter/adapter cable while for USB 3.1 devices I just plug it in, and for the single/dual controller issue I'll most likely be attaching a single drive when doing large file transfers, so no sharing anyway for the most part.

Does anyone reading have this particular card and can share their experiences?

 

[Enthuser]

Hi, I have successfully upgraded my 5,1 to 10.15.4 and tried to add an ACS 204-1014 USB3 pcie card, I found it difficult to get it to be fully recognised and the one time it did (With PRam reset), the usb hard drive actually ran slower than with the native USB2 slots and froze the shutdown process, can anyone recommend a suitable USB3/3.1 card that is fully compatible? Or did I miss something on this one. Any help would be highly appreciated.

 

[joevt]

Something I hadn't considered is that USB-C turns out not to be just another USB connector along the line of USB-A, -B, -Micro, -Mini etc. with its 4 or 5 pins but it has 24 pins to accomodate for the higher USB-3 speeds, so I should really be looking at USB-C equipped cards.

The extra pins are not used by USB 3.1 gen 2. You can do USB 3.1 gen 2 using a Type A connector.

The USB3C-2PM-E is limited to 8 Gbps (shared by two ports) (Sonnet should not be showing 960 MB/s). The USB3C-4PM-E gives 2 more ports (4 total) and allows 10 Gbps for a single port (15.75 Gbps shared between each pair of ports, 31.5 Gbps total in a MacPro7,1, but only 20 Gbps total in a MacPro5,1). But like you said, you'll only be connecting one drive and probably will use a drive that is slower than 8 Gbps or you won't mind 2 Gbps less bandwidth.

USB-C to USB-A adapters are cheap. I like the flexible ones that allow you to switch USB-A devices (e.g. flash drives) without stressing the USB-C port.

USB C to USB Adapter - Apple (CA)

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

Adapters usually say USB 3.0 but might work at USB 3.1 gen 2 speed?
[automerge]1586966756[/automerge]

Hi, I have successfully upgraded my 5,1 to 10.15.4 and tried to add an ACS 204-1014 USB3 pcie card, I found it difficult to get it to be fully recognised and the one time it did (With PRam reset), the usb hard drive actually ran slower than with the native USB2 slots and froze the shutdown process, can anyone recommend a suitable USB3/3.1 card that is fully compatible? Or did I miss something on this one. Any help would be highly appreciated.

What is the controller used by the ACS 204-1014 (listed in the PCI or USB section of System Information.app)?

Check the suggestions in the first post of this thread.

 

[jscipione]

Something I hadn't considered is that USB-C turns out not to be just another USB connector along the line of USB-A, -B, -Micro, -Mini etc. with its 4 or 5 pins but it has 24 pins to accommodate for the higher USB-3 speeds, so I should really be looking at USB-C equipped cards.
The dual-controller/4 port Sonnet Allegro USB3C-4PM-E would be my first choice in this regard, but with the rather high price I think not.

This is not true, you can get cards with USB-A connectors that are just as fast as USB-C connectors, it's not the connector that provides the speed but the USB chipset behind it. Do you really want the USB-C connector or the speed? The FL1100 chipset in the KT4004 is slower than newer ASMedia chipsets that are available and supported by modern versions of macOS (10.12+.)

So next up is the single-controller/2 port Sonnet Allegro USB3C-2PM-E (still expensive, but less than half of the above). I believe for "legacy" USB devices I can just attach an adapter/adapter cable while for USB 3.1 devices I just plug it in, and for the single/dual controller issue I'll most likely be attaching a single drive when doing large file transfers, so no sharing anyway for the most part.

Does anyone reading have this particular card and can share their experiences?

That dual USB-C Sonnet Card uses an ASM1142 chipset, there's nothing special about it. I've got no personal experience with it but could you buy an Ableconn PU31-2C-2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) 2-Port Type-C PCI Express (PCIe) x4 Host Adapter Card (ASMedia ASM2142 Chipset) instead? They are available on Amazon but maybe you can find them internationally somewhere: http://www.ableconn.com/products_2.php?gid=121

Hi, I have successfully upgraded my 5,1 to 10.15.4 and tried to add an ACS 204-1014 USB3 pcie card, I found it difficult to get it to be fully recognised and the one time it did (With PRam reset), the usb hard drive actually ran slower than with the native USB2 slots and froze the shutdown process, can anyone recommend a suitable USB3/3.1 card that is fully compatible? Or did I miss something on this one. Any help would be highly appreciated.

I couldn’t find chipset information on this card but looking at pictures of it the card appears to use a VL805 chipset by VLI. This chipset is not compatible with macOS so it’s no shock that the card didn’t work.

 

[Krevnik]

This is not true, you can get cards with USB-A connectors that are just as fast as USB-C connectors, it's not the connector that provides the speed but the USB chipset behind it. Do you really want the USB-C connector or the speed? The FL1100 chipset in the KT4004 is slower than newer ASMedia chipsets that are available and supported by modern versions of macOS (10.12+.)

True up to 10Gbps connections. The "USB 3.2 Gen 2x2" spec can do 20Gbps, but uses the normally "redundant" set of pins in the USB-C connector to provide a second SS channel to double the speed. That said, it's still rolling out pretty slowly at this point. A handful of PCIe cards, and maybe a motherboard or two at best support it, and I haven't seen much in the way of devices using it yet. So this is definitely a nit pick.

So for now, I'd probably still get a USB-A card (and let TB3 handle the USB-C connectivity on a Mac Pro, TBH). But in the future, USB-C will pull ahead because of 2x2 for USB 3.2 devices that support it, and USB 4 will be USB-C only as well.

 

[jscipione]

True up to 10Gbps connections. The "USB 3.2 Gen 2x2" spec can do 20Gbps, but uses the normally "redundant" set of pins in the USB-C connector to provide a second SS channel to double the speed. That said, it's still rolling out pretty slowly at this point. A handful of PCIe cards, and maybe a motherboard or two at best support it, and I haven't seen much in the way of devices using it yet. So this is definitely a nit pick.

So for now, I'd probably still get a USB-A card (and let TB3 handle the USB-C connectivity on a Mac Pro, TBH). But in the future, USB-C will pull ahead because of 2x2 for USB 3.2 devices that support it, and USB 4 will be USB-C only as well.

On that note, anybody tried an ASM3242 based card like the new Gigabyte GC-USB 3.2 GEN2X2 PCIe Expansion Card?

 

[macstatic]

Oops!
I went ahead and ordered the ASM1142 based Sonnet Allegro 2-port USB-C 10 Gbps card (USB3C-2PM-E) prior to receiving and reading these last comments. I also got a discounted deal, so it appeared to be a good choice. The 4 port USB-A connector card (USB3-4PM-E) with a Fresco chipset costing about the same was the alternative, but with 5 Gbps I figured the former was a better deal, and after some reasearch I found out that two USB 3.1 ports was fine along with the multiple USB 2 ports on the Mac Pro without needing an additional USB hub.

Regarding USB-C connectors: they have 12 unique signal pins (12x2 pins that is, to allow insertion either way) while the others have less pins. I understood this as having the ability to squeeze more signals in parallel than the older USB connectors (with less pins). But this is wrong?

Most of the Amazon offerings tend to show up as "can't deliver to your location" or they have outrageous shipping costs. The other alternatives found locally catered mostly to PCs.

 

[tommy chen]

the 4-port highpoint 1344A with USB-A connectors has
the same speed as the sonnet 4-port USB-C card

 

[joevt]

On that note, anybody tried an ASM3242 based card like the new Gigabyte GC-USB 3.2 GEN2X2 PCIe Expansion Card?

Gigabyte card:

GC-USB 3.2 GEN2X2 Key Features | Motherboard - GIGABYTE Canada

Lasting Quality from GIGABYTE.GIGABYTE Ultra Durable™ motherboards bring together a unique blend of features and technologies that offer users the absolute ...

www.gigabyte.com

I don't think macOS has drivers for USB 3.2 Gen 2x2.

It has IOPCIClassMatch for the following four PCI class codes:
UHCI: 0C 03 00
EHCI: 0C 03 10
OHCI: 0C 03 20
XHCI: 0C 03 30

USB4 uses a PCI class code of 0C 03 40 according to the USB4 spec. That is definitely not supported by macOS yet (it's not in the list).

3.2 gen 2x2 is included in the Intel XHCI spec so it will probably use PCI class code 0C 03 30. Apple could have snuck in support? Probably not. They were late with USB 3.1 Gen 2 and they'll probably be late with USB 3.2.

Regarding USB-C connectors: they have 12 unique signal pins (12x2 pins that is, to allow insertion either way) while the others have less pins. I understood this as having the ability to squeeze more signals in parallel than the older USB connectors (with less pins). But this is wrong?

USB 3.1 does not use extra signal pins. USB-C has a DisplayPort alt mode that can use all the pins (4 lanes) for DisplayPort or it can use two lines for USB 3.1 (send and receive) and two lines for DisplayPort (2 lanes). The Thunderbolt alt mode can use two lines for receive and two lines for transmit (40 Gbps each direction).

USB 3.2 gen 1x2 (10 Gbps) and 2x2 (20 Gbps) can use two lines for send and two lines for receive to double the bandwidth of USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps).
USB4 adds gen 3x1 (20 Gbps) and gen 3x2 (40 Gbps).

 

[crjackson2134]

Just checking in to add information ...

Since my last Catalina 10.15.4 update, I never get the USB Device eject warning after the cMP wakes from sleep with a USB 3 drive connected to my Sonnet 3.0 USB-Pro card. It works perfectly every time now when using an APFS bootable backup-clone of Catalina. I haven't tested any HFS+ drives yet, and suspect there's no change for them. I'll update the post when I get around to testing that.

 

[joevt]

On that note, anybody tried an ASM3242 based card like the new Gigabyte GC-USB 3.2 GEN2X2 PCIe Expansion Card?

Since it's probably XHCI, then it might work but macOS might only allow 10 20 Gbps.

 

[macstatic]

USB 3.1 does not use extra signal pins. USB-C has a DisplayPort alt mode that can use all the pins (4 lanes) for DisplayPort or it can use two lines for USB 3.1 (send and receive) and two lines for DisplayPort (2 lanes). The Thunderbolt alt mode can use two lines for receive and two lines for transmit (40 Gbps each direction).

Ah! I completely misunderstood, thinking that the higher capacity USB 3.1 demanded USB-C connectors as only they could provide all the necessary signals for this.

So just to clear up any confusion....
Does this mean I can use a USB 3.1 cable with USB-A or USB-B connectors at each end, then attach a USB-C to USB-A (or -B) adapter at one end to plug into this card, and still take full advantage of the higher speed? I'm aware of the 1m maximum cable length.
(PS: by USB-A and USB-B connectors I'm of course referring to the ones similar to those used with USB 1 and 2 but coloured blue to indicate the additional pins for USB 3).

(image source: OWC)

(image source: Macworld UK)

 

[joevt]

Ah! I completely misunderstood, thinking that the higher capacity USB 3.1 demanded USB-C connectors as only they could provide all the necessary signals for this.

So just to clear up any confusion....
Does this mean I can use a USB 3.1 cable with USB-A or USB-B connectors at each end, then attach a USB-C to USB-A (or -B) adapter at one end to plug into this card, and still take full advantage of the higher speed? I'm aware of the 1m maximum cable length.
(PS: by USB-A and USB-B connectors I'm of course referring to the ones similar to those used with USB 1 and 2 but coloured blue to indicate the additional pins for USB 3).

(image source: OWC)

(image source: Macworld UK)

It's always best to use a single cable (without adapters) when possible: USB-C (male) to USB 3.x variants of USB-A, USB-B, or USB micro-B. View the "USB cables table" after 1.2.7 Host and device interface receptacles

Many USB devices do not have a detachable cable, so an adapter is required. A USB-C (male) to USB-A (female) adapter should allow up to 10 Gbps.

There exist USB-C (female) to USB-A (male) adapters but they are not part of the USB spec and should be avoided. Probably any cable or adapter with a USB-C (female) connector should be avoided unless it's a hub, dock, peripheral, or host (but they may work).

 

[macstatic]

It's always best to use a single cable (without adapters) when possible: USB-C (male) to USB 3.x variants of USB-A, USB-B, or USB micro-B. View the "USB cables table" after 1.2.7 Host and device interface receptacles

Many USB devices do not have a detachable cable, so an adapter is required. A USB-C (male) to USB-A (female) adapter should allow up to 10 Gbps.

There exist USB-C (female) to USB-A (male) adapters but they are not part of the USB spec and should be avoided. Probably any cable or adapter with a USB-C (female) connector should be avoided unless it's a hub, dock, peripheral, or host (but they may work).

Thanks.
I see. Yes, adapters are sometimes the weakest link in a cable setup.
The reason I'm asking is because I've installed a Neutrik front-panel USB-3 connector (see photo below) in my workspace and want to connect this to the USB-3 card, then be able to plug in any temporarily attached USB 3 device easily at my workspace.

(source: Neutrik)

(source: Trinity electronics)

That connector has got a USB-A connector at the front as you see in the first photo, and USB-B on the rear (so the cable to the card needs to be USB-C (male) to USB-B (male). It's reversible, but since USB-A is more common than -B I see no reason to change this.
Unfortunately there's no USB-C front-panel connector available in this series. They (Neutrik) replied that it's because of the 1m cable length limitation for high-speed USB 3 they don't make it (even so I would need an adapter at the front of the panel connector because my USB-3 devices so far all come with a USB-A plug).

Having re-read this thread I'm considering returning the 2-port Sonnet USB3C-2PM-E (10 Gbps, single controller, 2x USB-C ports) and getting a Sonnet USB3-4PM-E (5 Gbps, single controller, 4x USB-A ports) instead as there aren't many devices capable of 10 Gbps anyway, and even 5 Gbps is a huge speed increase over USB 2 and as I understand it, also Firewire 800. And I'd be getting two extra USB 3 ports meaning I won't need to add a hub later on, in addition to more easily getting a suitable cable (USB-3 type USB-A to USB-B cable) although I believe I did find a USB-3 USB-C to USB-B cable, so I won't be needing an adapter):

(source: Startech)

 

[macstatic]

Sorry for going on about all of this....
But realizing all the hassle and limitations of the USB-C cables (1m max. length, USB-C to -A adapters), I have the opportunity to return my unused Sonnet Allegro USB 3.2 two-port USB-C card (1x ASMedia 3142 chipset, 10 Gbps) and buy a Sonnet Allegro type-A USB 3.2 four-port card (1x Fresco-logic (FL1100?), 5 Gbps) instead. They cost around the same.

So for now, I'd probably still get a USB-A card (and let TB3 handle the USB-C connectivity on a Mac Pro, TBH). But in the future, USB-C will pull ahead because of 2x2 for USB 3.2 devices that support it, and USB 4 will be USB-C only as well.

Good point. I want to attach a dual-drive dock of some sort to replace my currently used 4-bay Firewire 800 dock because it doesn't take drives larger than 2 or 3 TB.
I suppose apart from USB 3.1 there's Thunderbolt and eSATA solutions to look into for this -what's the best choice for this if USB isn't it?
I see that the cable length limitation alone might not make the 10 Gbps (8 Gbps) USB-C card worth having compared to the 4-port 5 Gbps card, and especially if I can find a separate solution for a drive dock (apart from the graphic card, USB-3 card and eSATA-II card I have one PCIe slot free).

 

[flowrider]

in addition to more easily getting a suitable cable (USB-3 type USB-A to USB-B cable) although I believe I did find a USB-3 USB-C to USB-B cable, so I won't be needing an adapter):

(source: Startech)

I have a cable like that, that is going to my USB hub. Amazon's price is much less and it comes in two lengths:

Cable Matters USB C to USB B 3.0 Cable 6.6 ft (USB C to USB Type B 3.0, 3.0 USB B to USB C) in Black

Cable Matters USB C to USB B 3.0 Cable 6.6 ft (USB C to USB Type B 3.0, 3.0 USB B to USB C) in Black

www.amazon.com

Lou

 

[Snow Tiger]

I have just confirmed that the VIA Labs VLI VL812 four port USB 3.0 hub controller chip is compatible in a cMP running Mojave .

It was used in conjunction with a Fresco Logic FL1100-IQC-EX host controller chip on the Inateck 7 Port USB 3.0 PCIe Expansion Card model KTU3FR-5O2U . All 7 ports ( two internal and five external ) work in a cMP running Mojave and the use of SATA booster power is mandatory .

There are no VLI chips listed at the beginning of this thread , so should I add it ? I don't think the VIA Labs chip can be used as the sole controller in an USB Port Expansion PCIe Card .

So , this report might actually be more useful for compatibility of external USB Hub devices and USB Port Expansion PCIe cards with an unusually large number of ports with our Macs .

Fresco chip :

VLI chip :

The entire PCIe card :

 

[joevt]

I have just confirmed that the VIA Labs VLI VL812 four port USB 3.0 hub controller chip is compatible in a cMP running Mojave .

It was used in conjunction with a Fresco Logic FL1100-IQC-EX host controller chip on the Inateck 7 Port USB 3.0 PCIe Expansion Card model KTU3FR-5O2U . All 7 ports ( two internal and five external ) work in a cMP running Mojave and the use of SATA booster power is mandatory .

There are no VLI chips listed at the beginning of this thread , so should I add it ? I don't think the VIA Labs chip can be used as the sole controller in an USB Port Expansion PCIe Card .

So , this report might actually be more useful for compatibility of external USB Hub devices and USB Port Expansion PCIe cards with an unusually large number of ports with our Macs .

Fresco chip :


VLI chip :


The entire PCIe card :

I think the thread is for USB controllers, not hubs. I don't think it's possible for a USB hub to not work. Therefore if we report hubs here then we'll probably only report broken hubs.

 

[Snow Tiger]

I don't think it's possible for a USB hub to not work.

I once had a client whose USB hub connected to one of my cMP Builds consistently cause a kernel panic every 20 minutes like clockwork . The hub worked fine otherwise with all connected devices . It must have had something to do with the hub's sleep / energy saving mode , which would be controller chip related . Once he switched to using a different hub , the issues went away .

 

[Snow Tiger]

I think the thread is for USB controllers, not hubs. I don't think it's possible for a USB hub to not work. Therefore if we report hubs here then we'll probably only report broken hubs.

Ummm ... there is a difference between an USB hub controller chip ( on the PCIe card ) and an USB hub , which also has its own hub controller chip .

Here's a picture of the insides of an USB hub , with its Genesys Logic GL3520 controller chip shown :

Specifically in our case , the Inateck model KTU3FR-5O2U USB Card has two controller chips :

1 ) Fresco Logic FL1100-IQC-EX USB host controller chip .

2 ) VIA Labs VLI VL812 USB hub controller chip .

I imagine almost all hub controller chips are compatible with modern macOS Systems . When was the last time one didn't work ?

 

[joevt]

Ummm ... there is a difference between an USB hub controller chip ( on the PCIe card ) and an USB hub , which also has its own hub controller chip .

Not really. The usb hub controller chip on the PCIe card is a hub connected to a port of the USB controller on the PCIe card. It will appear as a usb hub in System Information.app just like a regular hub that you would connect externally to a USB port.

 

[Snow Tiger]

Not really. The usb hub controller chip on the PCIe card is a hub connected to a port of the USB controller on the PCIe card. It will appear as a usb hub in System Information.app just like a regular hub that you would connect externally to a USB port.

I think the point I was attempting to make was there is a difference between an USB hub and a PCIe port expansion card . This thread was in danger of drifting into USB hub discussions just because I used the term "hub" , that someone took out of context .

 

[joevt]

I think the point I was attempting to make was there is a difference between an USB hub and a PCIe port expansion card . This thread was in danger of drifting into USB hub discussions just because I used the term "hub" , that someone took out of context .

There are no VLI chips listed at the beginning of this thread , so should I add it ?

Maybe I misinterpreted your question. Were you suggesting to add the card (indicating the controller + hub configuration) to the first post or just the hub chip?