USB 3.x PCIe Cards for Classic Mac Pro

[jchandsome]

PCI list:
— system_profile.txt is missing the ASM3242 from the PCI list. I guess the slot used by the ASM3242 is not marked properly as a slot. Your PCI slots have strange AAPL,slot-name values starting with "Internal". Actually, the slot name properties are being applied to the devices instead of the parent slots. My MacPro3,1 has slots named "Slot-1", ..., "Slot-4". Is this a Hackintosh? Or maybe you have a Mac but OpenCore is modifying some stuff? SSDT? Device Properties?

Catalina:
— AppleUSBXHCIPCI.kext has a ASMedia personality only for ASM1042. The default IOClass that matches ASM3242 (or any other ASMedia controller) is AppleUSBXHCIPCI which has IOProbeScore 0. GenericUSBXHCI has an IOProbeScore of 1 which overrides AppleUSBXHCIPCI.
— Does the ASM3242 work with AppleUSBXHCIPCI (remove GenericUSBXHCI)? Does it support 20 Gbps with AppleUSBXHCIPCI?

Big Sur:
— AppleUSBXHCIPCI.kext has a generic ASMedia personality called AppleASMediaUSBXHCI with IOProbeScore 1000 that can match the ASM3242 but I don't think AppleASMediaUSBXHCI is made for ASM3242. All we know from looking at the info.plist is that it's not for the ASM1042, ASM2142, or ASM3142. Maybe it's for the ASM1142.
— Make a codeless kext that matches the ASM3242 (IOProbeScore 5001) and uses the AppleASMedia3142USBXHCI IOClass. Does it work? Does it support 20 Gbps?
— Make a codeless kext that matches the ASM3242 (IOProbeScore 5001) and uses the AppleUSBXHCIPCI IOClass. Does it work? Does it support 20 Gbps?

GenericUSBXHCI:
— It is not part of OpenCore. There are different versions on the internet. What's the url for the one that you are using?
— The ioreg for GenericUSBXHCI is different than Apple's drivers. Apple's drivers adds an entry for each port and attaches USB devices to the port. GenericUSBXHCI adds USB devices directly to itself.
— Buses and devices created by GenericUSBXHCI don't appear in USB tab of System Information.app. I wonder what's needed to make that work? I guess it needs to be updated to use modern iokit USB classes - but those are not open source?
— GenericUSBXHCI should be altered so that it has IOProbeScore -1 (is negative possible?) so that it doesn't always override AppleUSBXHCIPCI - or it should be changed to only attach to specific controllers such as the ASM3242 and the uPD720200 - in which case the IOProbeScore should be at least 5001.

Maybe none of Apple's drivers support 20 Gbps?
For each driver and OS, show an AmorphousDiskMark screenshot (just need SEQ1M QD8) of the max speed (only if you can get 20 Gbps).

For any macOS that doesn't have a XHCI driver, you just need the GenericUSBXHCI.kext. For macOS versions that have a XHCI driver, you'll want a GenericUSBXHCI.kext that matches only the controllers that don't work at full speed with the default Apple driver.

Hi

thanks for your reply

yes, my system is a MacPro7,1 Hackintosh

On catalina i get around 20/Gbs speed

i will try the changes as soon as i can and i let you know

regards

 

[VaZ]

So Mojave doesn't natively support ASM2142 or ASM3142 cards? Or will it just be stuck on 10Gbps?

 

[joevt]

So Mojave doesn't natively support ASM2242 or ASM3242 cards? Or will it just be stuck on 10Gbps?

What's an ASM2242? If you mean ASM2142 and ASM3142 then I think the default Apple driver works at the expected 10 Gbps (gen 2x1)

ASM3242 is gen 2x2. I believe @jchandsome got the default Apple driver in Big Sur to work with a USB 3.0 device (gen 1 = 5 Gbps). I don't think he tested a gen 2 device. His gen 2x2 device did not work. He did not show tests of default Apple driver in Catalina or Mojave.

 

[joevt]

yes, my system is a MacPro7,1 Hackintosh

On catalina i get around 20/Gbs speed

i will try the changes as soon as i can and i let you know

Any progress with this? Do you need help making the changes? I am interested in the answers to the questions.

 

[joevt]

WikiPost history seems to have some missing items. Some edits I made in Nov 14 are attributed to Dec 24 for some reason.

USB 3.x PCIe Cards for Classic Mac Pro

The Ableconn PEX-UB160 appears to be a good example. It has two controllers (both ASM3142) which means it must have a PCIe switch. If the controllers can connect as PCIe 3.0 x2, then the PCIe switch is a PCIe 3.0 switch and you should be able to get 980 MB/s in a PCIe 2.0 slot. Otherwise you...

forums.macrumors.com

USB 3.x PCIe Cards for Classic Mac Pro

Thread summary for latest recommendations. This thread refers to PCIe cards for adding USB 3.0 and 3.1 to classic Mac Pros. General Notes: The USB 3.0 cards in this list support UASP for faster transfer speeds and reduced CPU utilization (exceptions to this are noted). The USB 3.0 cards in...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[wiseass73]

Hi everyone in this amazing thread. I purchased a KT4004 recently for my Mac Pro 2009 (4.1 flashed to 5.1) running 10.13 and.... am confused. Eventually i got it to show up, and some drives i have on hand will mount from it. But others, including some usb sticks, won't, ever.

After doing some speed tests it seems like i'm topping out around 40ish MBps, which is admittedly a bit faster than the 32ish i'm getting on the original USB 2.0 ports with the same drive, but i'm suspicious that that could be just a difference of system overhead on the controllers, and that i'm not actually getting USB 3 on the card.

Seeing that some people don't seem to get these Inateck cards to work on every machine i'd be content to return this card and get another one, probably one of the newer chipset cards i'm guessing (recommendations welcome!). But thought i'd ask first if there are any other troubleshooting procedures anyone's had luck with getting the KT4004 to work on 10.13, suggestions for things to try while i've got it, or ultimately, ideas for another card to try. (This FebSmart card caught my eye, anyone try it?)

The card shows this in system info btw:

PXS2:
Type: USB eXtensible Host Controller
Driver Installed: Yes
MSI: Yes
Bus: PCI
Slot: Slot-2
Vendor ID: 0x1b73
Device ID: 0x1100
Subsystem Vendor ID: 0x1b73
Subsystem ID: 0x1100
Revision ID: 0x0010
Link Width: x1
Link Speed: 5.0 GT/s

Did anyone ever figure this out?

I'm running into the same problem with a newly installed Inateck KT4004 card. Except my speeds are maxing out at around 80 to 90 MB/s. Was hoping to get a lot more than that.

I'm on a Mac Pro 3,1 (Early 2008). Running 10.13.6 High Sierra (DosDude1 patch). The card is installed in PCIe Slot 2. Tried the card in different PCIe slots. And with different USB3 devices (powered and unpowered), different cables, etc. Same read/write speed each time. I am only testing one USB3 device at a time.

-----
System Profiler

Card: PXS2
Type: USB eXtensible Host Controller
Driver Installed: Yes
MSI: Yes
Bus: PCI
Slot: Slot-2
Vendor ID: 0x1b73
Device ID: 0x1100
Subsystem Vendor ID: 0x1b73
Subsystem ID: 0x1100
Revision ID: 0x0010
Link Width: x1
Link Speed: 5.0 GT/s

USB 3.0 Bus:
Host Controller Driver: AppleUSBXHCIFL1100
PCI Device ID: 0x1100
PCI Revision ID: 0x0010
PCI Vendor ID: 0x1b73

-----

 

[VaZ]

What speeds do you get in earlier or later osx versions?

 

[wiseass73]

Good question. Just installed Catalina (DosDude). Same read/write speeds. Tried a variety of devices. And same information in the System Profiler.

Could be, that's as good as I'm going to get with this card (Inateck KT4004) and controller (FL1100)?

I did also reach out to Inateck's Support. Will see what they say as well.

 

[joevt]

Added notes about USB 3.2 gen 2x2 ORICO PE20-1C and GenericUSBXHCI.kext.
Added notes about USB4 PCIe class code and Thunderbolt 4 Maple Ridge cards.

 

[MarkC426]

Without reading all 115 pages of this thread, is the interference issue still present with Bluetooth/WiFi?
If I attach a USB3 card, will it interfere only when something is attached?

Was thinking of cloning my 4tb TM to a bigger drive, but will take forever on USB2.
So once cloned can connect back to USB2.

 

[niconc]

The Ableconn PEX-UB160 appears to be a good example. It has two controllers (both ASM3142) which means it must have a PCIe switch. If the controllers can connect as PCIe 3.0 x2, then the PCIe switch is a PCIe 3.0 switch and you should be able to get 980 MB/s in a PCIe 2.0 slot. Otherwise you will be limited to 750 MB/s per port.

Sonnet has told me that the Sonnet Allegro USB-C 4-Port PCIe (USB3C-4PM-E) and the Sonnet Allegro Pro Type A USB 3.2 PCIe USB3-PRO-4P10-E with ASM3142 both have PCIe 2.0 switches, which means I can't recommend them for anything but a PCIe 1.0 slot since the chips are limited to PCIe 2.0 x2 speed.

The CalDigit FASTA-6GU3 Plus has a PCIe 2.0 switch connecting an ASM1142 USB 3.1 gen 2 controller and a ASMedia SATA controller. I use this in a PCIe 1.0 x4 slot of my MacPro3,1.


I don't think anyone knows the behaviour of USB 3.2 gen 2x2 cards in a Mac yet. The Ableconn PEX-UB159 says it is supported in macOS 10.15.3 Catalina. I don't know if that means gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) is supported.

I added notes about the Sonnet cards, USB 3.2 gen 2x2, and USB4 to the first post. If you test any of these then let us know.

Hello joevt,
After reading enough of the thread, it seems like the best possible solution for cMP is the combination of Dual ASM3142 + PCIe 3.0 switch.
Ableconn PEX-UB160 would have been a good choice, but Ableconn is not delivering in Greece (or maybe more accurate in Europe). I' trying desperately to find a solution for my 4,1 -> 5,1 cMP, but I can't. I need a card with at least 1 USB-C and 1 USB-A but I can't find such.

Could you help? I don't even know how to check for PCIe 3.0 switch (e.g. Inateck KU5211 has no switch). I've search Inateck, Startech.com, Delock, Sonnet and some others, with no luck.
Do you know any cards with that characteristics?

Any help would be invaluable.

Thank you in advance
Nick

 

[joevt]

After reading enough of the thread, it seems like the best possible solution for cMP is the combination of Dual ASM3142 + PCIe 3.0 switch.
Ableconn PEX-UB160 would have been a good choice, but Ableconn is not delivering in Greece (or maybe more accurate in Europe). I' trying desperately to find a solution for my 4,1 -> 5,1 cMP, but I can't. I need a card with at least 1 USB-C and 1 USB-A but I can't find such.

Could you help? I don't even know how to check for PCIe 3.0 switch (e.g. Inateck KU5211 has no switch). I've search Inateck, Startech.com, Delock, Sonnet and some others, with no luck.
Do you know any cards with that characteristics?

I don't know of any cards that have all the items - Full 10 Gbps USB controller, USB-C, USB-A, PCIe 3.0 switch, x4 upstream.
Sonnet's cards have a PCIe 2.0 switch even though they use the ASM3142 PCIe 3.0 controller...
Startech and Highpoint both have cards but without USB-C.

The Highpoint RocketU 1244A is also USB-A only - the interesting thing is that it has x8 upstream which would allow >4000 GB/s for PCIe 3.0 (full bandwidth for all four ports), 3500 MB/s for PCIe 2.0, and 1600 MB/s for PCIe 1.0 - so even a MacPro1,1 can do full 10 Gbps USB (1000 MB/s instead of 800 MB/s).

 

[joevt]

Ableconn PEX-UB160 would have been a good choice

Actually, it's not. #2,816

 

[niconc]

I don't know of any cards that have all the items - Full 10 Gbps USB controller, USB-C, USB-A, PCIe 3.0 switch, x4 upstream.
Sonnet's cards have a PCIe 2.0 switch even though they use the ASM3142 PCIe 3.0 controller...
Startech and Highpoint both have cards but without USB-C.

The Highpoint RocketU 1244A is also USB-A only - the interesting thing is that it has x8 upstream which would allow >4000 GB/s for PCIe 3.0 (full bandwidth for all four ports), 3500 MB/s for PCIe 2.0, and 1600 MB/s for PCIe 1.0 - so even a MacPro1,1 can do full 10 Gbps USB (1000 MB/s instead of 800 MB/s).

I'm having the same feeling. There are no cards with those characteristics. So, I'm thinking to sacrifice PCIe 3.0 switch and get a Sonnet or Startech.com with USB-C.

 

[joevt]

I'm having the same feeling. There are no cards with those characteristics. So, I'm thinking to sacrifice PCIe 3.0 switch and get a Sonnet or Startech.com with USB-C.

If the USB-C ports are more important than the extra 200 MB/s then go for it. Random access can't get close to 1000 MB/s anyway. I'm using unflashed GC-TITAN RIDGE cards for my USB-C + 10 Gbps needs, and (USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode).

 

[niconc]

If the USB-C ports are more important than the extra 200 MB/s then go for it. Random access can't get close to 1000 MB/s anyway. I'm using unflashed GC-TITAN RIDGE cards for my USB-C + 10 Gbps needs, and (USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode).

Hmmm... 200MB? You're talking about Dual 3142's? Anything particular to suggest? I just saw GC-TITAN RIDGE. What is this stuff? Is it working in cMP with Catalina, Big Sur?

 

[joevt]

Hmmm... 200MB? You're talking about Dual 3142's? Anything particular to suggest? I just saw GC-TITAN RIDGE. What is this stuff? Is it working in cMP with Catalina, Big Sur?

If you have a PCIe 3.0 x1 or PCIe 2.0 x2 bottleneck than any USB 3.1 gen 2 controller (whether it's the ASM1142 or ASM3142) is going to be limited to 800 MB/s instead of 1000 MB/s. (The numbers are estimates - 75% of theoretical max is the low end. For a PCIe 2.0 x2 slot: 5 GT/s * 8b/10b = 8 Gbps = 1000 MB/s -> * 75% = 750 MB/s)

The ASM1142 is limited to PCIe 3.0 x1 or PCIe 2.0 x2 anyway.

The ASM2142 and ASM3142 can do PCIe 3.0 x2 but only when connected to a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot or to a PCIe 3.0 switch connected to a PCIe 2.0 x4 or better slot.

The Sonnet cards have a PCIe 2.0 switch so the ASM3142 will be limited to PCIe 2.0 x2. They have two ASM3142 controllers, and the upstream is PCIe 2.0 x4, so you can get 800 MB/s from the first controller and 800 MB/s from the second controller - you can get 1600 MB/s for two ports but you can't get 1000 MB/s for a single port.

The GC-TITAN RIDGE works unflashed for USB 3.1 gen 2 and USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode. Thunderbolt requires a warm boot from Windows unless you flash the card with custom firmware. If you flash the card then that may cause problems such as USB not working, or Thunderbolt not working in Windows. The GC-TITAN RIDGE doesn't have USB 2.0 unless you connect it to a USB 2.0 port (two ports).
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/testing-tb3-aic-with-mp-5-1.2143042

The GC-ALPINE RIDGE works for USB 3.1 gen 2 with a couple memory writes in EFI. I haven't tried using an SSDT to add more functionality (hot plug of Thunderbolt devices). You can read how they do it on hackintoshes:
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...390-thunderbolt-3-i7-9700k-amd-rx-580.267551/
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/gigabyte-z490-vision-d-thunderbolt-3-i5-10400-amd-rx-580.298642

I would replace the memory writes for the GC-ALPINE RIDGE with some EFI code but I haven't gotten around to it. The EFI code could enable Thunderbolt 3 so a warm boot from Windows to use Thunderbolt devices would not be necessary.

 

[niconc]

If you have a PCIe 3.0 x1 or PCIe 2.0 x2 bottleneck than any USB 3.1 gen 2 controller (whether it's the ASM1142 or ASM3142) is going to be limited to 800 MB/s instead of 1000 MB/s. (The numbers are estimates - 75% of theoretical max is the low end. For a PCIe 2.0 x2 slot: 5 GT/s * 8b/10b = 8 Gbps = 1000 MB/s -> * 75% = 750 MB/s)

The ASM1142 is limited to PCIe 3.0 x1 or PCIe 2.0 x2 anyway.

The ASM2142 and ASM3142 can do PCIe 3.0 x2 but only when connected to a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot or to a PCIe 3.0 switch connected to a PCIe 2.0 x4 or better slot.

The Sonnet cards have a PCIe 2.0 switch so the ASM3142 will be limited to PCIe 2.0 x2. They have two ASM3142 controllers, and the upstream is PCIe 2.0 x4, so you can get 800 MB/s from the first controller and 800 MB/s from the second controller - you can get 1600 MB/s for two ports but you can't get 1000 MB/s for a single port.

The GC-TITAN RIDGE works unflashed for USB 3.1 gen 2 and USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode. Thunderbolt requires a warm boot from Windows unless you flash the card with custom firmware. If you flash the card then that may cause problems such as USB not working, or Thunderbolt not working in Windows. The GC-TITAN RIDGE doesn't have USB 2.0 unless you connect it to a USB 2.0 port (two ports).
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/testing-tb3-aic-with-mp-5-1.2143042

The GC-ALPINE RIDGE works for USB 3.1 gen 2 with a couple memory writes in EFI. I haven't tried using an SSDT to add more functionality (hot plug of Thunderbolt devices). You can read how they do it on hackintoshes:
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...390-thunderbolt-3-i7-9700k-amd-rx-580.267551/
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/gigabyte-z490-vision-d-thunderbolt-3-i5-10400-amd-rx-580.298642

I would replace the memory writes for the GC-ALPINE RIDGE with some EFI code but I haven't gotten around to it. The EFI code could enable Thunderbolt 3 so a warm boot from Windows to use Thunderbolt devices would not be necessary.

That was really informative. Xmmm... I think I'll go with one of these cards:

10Gbps USB-C PCIe Card USB 3.1 Gen 2 A/C - USB 3.0 Cards | Add-on Cards & Peripherals | StarTech.com

2-Port 10Gbps USB-A & USB-C PCIe Card - USB 3.2 Gen 2 PCI Express Type C/A Host Controller Card Adapter - USB 3.2 Gen 2 PCIe Expansion Add-On Card

www.startech.com

Inateck | Tablet Keyboard, USB-C Hub, Laptop Bag and More

Shop at Inateck official site for the top-notch iPad and Surface keyboard, USB-C hub, laptop bags, hdd enclosures, hard drive docking station, PCIe card, barcode scanners and more with premium quality.

www.inateck.com

Allegro USB-C PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2 - Sonnet

What do you think?
- The Inateck is the only one that has 2 controllers although I don't know if it is 3142
- The Sonnet is good but it has no USB-A and single 3142 controller.
- The Startech has both ports and single 3142 controller.

I'd really like to know your preference. I'd go Sonnet 4-Ports and 2 controllers you're mentioning above but it's kind of expensive for me and I'm thinking of it.

 

[VaZ]

My card works great check it out √

ECU05

The SilverStone ECU05 is a PCI-E 2.0 x2 expansion card with reversible USB 3.1 Type-C and USB 3.0 ports. Its single USB 3.1 Type-C port is capable of fully utilizing PCI-E 2.0 x2 slot for up to 10 GT/s bandwidth, which is twice the USB 3.0 performance for offering excellent stability when...

www.silverstonetek.com

With this attachment

 

[joevt]

That was really informative. Xmmm... I think I'll go with one of these cards:
https://www.startech.com/en-us/cards-adapters/pexusb311ac3
https://www.inateck.com/products/pc...-usb-type-a-and-2-usb-type-c-ports-ku5211-red
https://www.sonnettech.com/product/allegro-usbc-pcie.html

What do you think?
- The Inateck is the only one that has 2 controllers although I don't know if it is 3142
- The Sonnet is good but it has no USB-A and single 3142 controller.
- The Startech has both ports and single 3142 controller.

I'd really like to know your preference. I'd go Sonnet 4-Ports and 2 controllers you're mentioning above but it's kind of expensive for me and I'm thinking of it.

My card works great check it out √
https://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=657&area=en#undefined2

You need a PCIe 3.0 switch or TB3 AIC or ASM3242 to get x4. A PCIe switch (x4 upstream) is expensive - research prices for TB3 AICs and ASM3242 - they are also relatively expensiv. I don't think there are any ASM3242 cards with more than one port (does there exist a gen 2x2 hub?)

All four of those cards are limited to x2 so they'll only allow ≈800 MB/s. But you'll save money with these. The ASM3142 has very little advantage over the ASM1142 in a PCIe 2.0 x2 slot so you might as well consider the ASM1142 while you're at it.

Of those cards, the SilverStone and Inateck are interesting because they connect a 4 port hub to the 2 port controller. A hub is a less expensive way to add more ports (compared to adding another USB controller and a PCIe switch). The SilverStone is using the older ASM1142 and a VL812 USB 3.0 hub - it has the advantage of two internal USB 3.0 ports. The Inateck seems the most useful with 5 external ports, newer ASM3142 controller, and newer VL822 USB 3.1 gen 2 hub.

 

[niconc]

You need a PCIe 3.0 switch or TB3 AIC or ASM3242 to get x4. A PCIe switch (x4 upstream) is expensive - research prices for TB3 AICs and ASM3242 - they are also relatively expensiv. I don't think there are any ASM3242 cards with more than one port (does there exist a gen 2x2 hub?)

All four of those cards are limited to x2 so they'll only allow ≈800 MB/s. But you'll save money with these. The ASM3142 has very little advantage over the ASM1142 in a PCIe 2.0 x2 slot so you might as well consider the ASM1142 while you're at it.

Of those cards, the SilverStone and Inateck are interesting because they connect a 4 port hub to the 2 port controller. A hub is a less expensive way to add more ports (compared to adding another USB controller and a PCIe switch). The SilverStone is using the older ASM1142 and a VL812 USB 3.0 hub - it has the advantage of two internal USB 3.0 ports. The Inateck seems the most useful with 5 external ports, newer ASM3142 controller, and newer VL822 USB 3.1 gen 2 hub.

Thank you very much for the reply joevt,

My initial thought, my "strategy" if you like with the cMP's USB, is to put a card into it, with 2-3 ports and then plugin into a hub, with an extension cable, and bring it in front of me, near me on the desk where I'm working, rather than going to the back of cMP all the time and trying to access the ports or the attached hub.

So, a card with only 2 ports would be ok with me:In one port I'll attach some external disk for backup purposes and in the other port I'll attach the extension cable along with a hub so to stick in and out other disks, USB sticks and the like.

The reason is not to use the USB 2.0 ports in the front panel of the cMP anymore and replace them with a hub attached to a fast port. As a result, an attached to the card hub, is not useful for me. That is the reason the Startech card is on the list. It has only two ports. A -C and -A.

Given that knowledge, do have anything else to propose?

Again, thank you very much.
Your help is very valuable.

 

[niconc]

My card works great check it out √

ECU05

The SilverStone ECU05 is a PCI-E 2.0 x2 expansion card with reversible USB 3.1 Type-C and USB 3.0 ports. Its single USB 3.1 Type-C port is capable of fully utilizing PCI-E 2.0 x2 slot for up to 10 GT/s bandwidth, which is twice the USB 3.0 performance for offering excellent stability when...

www.silverstonetek.com

Thank you very much Vaz.
I'll check it out.

Cheers
Nick

 

[VaZ]

Thank you very much Vaz.
I'll check it out.

Cheers
Nick

Also check out https://vantecusa.com/products_detail.php?p_id=273 & https://www.inateck.com/products/pc...-usb-type-a-and-2-usb-type-c-ports-ku5211-red

 

[joevt]

Also check out https://vantecusa.com/products_detail.php?p_id=273 & https://www.inateck.com/products/pc...-usb-type-a-and-2-usb-type-c-ports-ku5211-red

The Inatek KU5211 was mentioned above. The Vantec UGT-PC3A2C appears to have the same capabilities but has a SATA power input.
There's no way the Inatek can power all 5 ports (45W total) - I guess it expects you not to use more than 25W at a time?

The Vantec is trying to confuse the buyer by saying Gen 2x2 when in fact it has just a Gen 2x1 USB controller with two ports.
The Inatek doesn't say Gen 2x2 but does say 20 Gbps in a picture (because the USB controller has two 10 Gbps ports).
In either case, both cards are limited to PCIe 3.0 x2 which can only do 15.75 Gbps total.

 

[macgirl-mx]

What do you think?
- The Inateck is the only one that has 2 controllers although I don't know if it is 3142
- The Sonnet is good but it has no USB-A and single 3142 controller.
- The Startech has both ports and single 3142 controller.

I'd really like to know your preference. I'd go Sonnet 4-Ports and 2 controllers you're mentioning above but it's kind of expensive for me and I'm thinking of it.

After buying several cheap cards and returning them because they doesn't support at least 2 drives at same time (they disconnect and reconnect every 1~2 seconds) I purchased the Inateck KU5211 and here are the results with a USB 3.0 to SATA adapter on a SanDisk SSD drive:




and no Bluetooth interferences, at least with my QC 35 Bose Headphones.

Previously cards show max speed of 345 MB/s

I ordered a USB 3.1 SATA Dock station, will report if speed increases