USB 3.x PCIe Cards for Classic Mac Pro

[joevt]

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:

View attachment 1757858View attachment 1757862
View attachment 1757863

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

Your test used a port that is connected to the VL822 hub chip. I think you might get slightly higher speed using the port that is not connected to the hub.
USB 3.0 should be able to go as high as 456/464 MB/s (read/write) (those numbers are from a test using the USB 3.0 port of a Macmini8,1 with a USB 10 Gbps to NVMe enclosure - a USB 3.0 to SATA adapter may be limited by the SATA connection even though SATA can do 550 MB/s).

I expect a USB 10 Gbps to SATA enclosure to get you closer to 550 MB/s.

The ASM3142 of the KU5211 will be limited by PCIe 2.0 x2 (if you're using a MacPro5,1) which is 8 Gbps (≈822/727 MB/s R/W) instead of 10 Gbps (≈1040/1040 MB/s R/W).

In your screenshot is a 0x2822 USB 2.0 hub which I assume is the USB 2.0 part of the VL822 hub (0x0822). But what is the 0x2811? Did you have something else connected to the card? If not, then maybe an ioreg dump (starting from the XHCI device) might help. Also a closeup picture of the card would be nice (to identify the chips).

 

[macgirl-mx]

In your screenshot is a 0x2822 USB 2.0 hub which I assume is the USB 2.0 part of the VL822 hub (0x0822). But what is the 0x2811? Did you have something else connected to the card? If not, then maybe an ioreg dump (starting from the XHCI device) might help. Also a closeup picture of the card would be nice (to identify the chips).

I probably take out the card on the weekend and make more tests with the new SATA to USB adapter on several ports

 

[niconc]

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:

View attachment 1757858View attachment 1757862
View attachment 1757863

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

Hello,
and thank you.

I need to ask you a couple of things:

Have you tested the USB-C ports with USB-C powerless devices?
Have you worked with the card enough so, to have a more clear picture?
and finally, Have you test any external Hub with the C port?

Thank you again.
Nick

 

[macgirl-mx]

Have you tested the USB-C ports with USB-C powerless devices?

Yes, no problem.

Have you worked with the card enough so, to have a more clear picture?

Not yet.

and finally, Have you test any external Hub with the C port?

I don't have an USB-C hub.

But here are more tests:

First a test with the non hub port (USB-A) with a USB 3.1 to SATA Dock:


Then a test on the hub Ports, same speed on the USB-A and USB-C with a USB 3.1 to SATA Dock:

 

[joevt]

But here are more tests:

First a test with the non hub port (USB-A) with a USB 3.1 to SATA Dock:


Then a test on the hub Ports, same speed on the USB-A and USB-C with a USB 3.1 to SATA Dock:

I see the 0x2811 is no longer listed. Did you find out what it belonged to?

 

[macgirl-mx]

I see the 0x2811 is no longer listed. Did you find out what it belonged to?

It is a Amazon Basics USB 3.0 hub, which in this case is listed as USB 2.0 hub because has connected 2 iPhones.

A moment ago I discover that my iPad connect as USB 2.0 although it has USB-C port

 

[joevt]

It is a Amazon Basics USB 3.0 hub, which in this case is listed as USB 2.0 hub because has connected 2 iPhones.

A moment ago I discover that my iPad connect as USB 2.0 although it has USB-C port

Was there a 0x0211 USB 3.0 Hub included with the 0x8211 USB 2.0 Hub part?

There's some iPad Pro's with the lightning port that support USB 3.0. I don't know which iPads with USB-C ports support USB 3.x.

 

[macgirl-mx]

Was there a 0x0211 USB 3.0 Hub included with the 0x8211 USB 2.0 Hub part?

There's some iPad Pro's with the lightning port that support USB 3.0. I don't know which iPads with USB-C ports support USB 3.x.

This is the Amazon Basics USB 3.0 Hub connected to my other USB 3.1 (Powered by SATA cable) card with one iPhone and the USB 3.0 to SATA adapter without a disk connected, below is the Inateck card with only the USB 3.1 to SATA Dock but not powered on

 

[niconc]

Yes, no problem.



Not yet.


I don't have an USB-C hub.

But here are more tests:

First a test with the non hub port (USB-A) with a USB 3.1 to SATA Dock:
View attachment 1758818View attachment 1758825

Then a test on the hub Ports, same speed on the USB-A and USB-C with a USB 3.1 to SATA Dock:
View attachment 1758827View attachment 1758828

Thank you very much.
I'll wait some more days and see also the other tests you're about to perform.

Cheers
Nick

 

[wiseass73]

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.

Just a follow up. After talking with Inateck support, and completing several tests that they recommended, it appears my slow speeds were not due to the KT4004 card, but instead to the USB3 devices (eg, external hard drives) I am using. Read/write speeds were identical when tested on a friend's Mac.

Man, USB3 is truly a strange and confusing interface. The protocols and performances are all over the place.

One additional issue I am having: some devices mount/unmount. Mostly external hard drives. Happens sporadically. A devices will connect okay one day. Then a day later, when connected, the same device starts to constantly mount/unmount. Thought it might be a failing card. But Inateck support says this a problem due to an insufficient power supply.

And one review: the Inateck support was responsive and good.

 

[joevt]

Tested ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 #1,579

 

[VaZ]

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:

View attachment 1757858View attachment 1757862
View attachment 1757863

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

Can you show me what link speed in the PCI section this card operates on in the pcie 2.0 slot? An Inateck rep insisted that it will connect at x4 in original Mac Pros.

 

[macgirl-mx]

Can you show me what link speed in the PCI section this card operates on in the pcie 2.0 slot? An Inateck rep insisted that it will connect at x4 in original Mac Pros.

 

[joevt]

Can you show me what link speed in the PCI section this card operates on in the pcie 2.0 slot? An Inateck rep insisted that it will connect at x4 in original Mac Pros.

It cannot do x4 because it uses an ASMedia ASM3142 with no PCIe switch.
All the pictures on amazon and the Inateck website are fake 3D renderings so you can't tell that only two of the PCIe lanes are connected.

 

[VaZ]

It cannot do x4 because it uses an ASMedia ASM3142 with no PCIe switch.
All the pictures on amazon and the Inateck website are fake 3D renderings so you can't tell that only two of the PCIe lanes are connected.

Thanks. Which usb 3.2 spec 5+ port card do you know of that has a PCIe switch using the ASM3142?

 

[joevt]

Thanks. Which usb 3.2 spec 5+ port card do you know of that has a PCIe switch using the ASM3142?

None are going to do that without using a USB hub chip. You can get four ports with a PCIe switch and use an external hub for more ports (though external hub will be more expensive than cards that include the hub internally, like the Inateck KU5211).

The HighPoint RocketU 1244A has enough USB controllers for 8 ports but it only exposes 4 :-(

 

[eVasilis]

Hi all

I hope this is not completely out of place: has anyone tried Big Sur 11.3 RC booted from a sata SSD along with a PCIe Inateck KT4004 card?

Thanks!

 

[14UG]

I'm trying to choose between the Inateck KU5211 and Sonnet 2-port USB-C card for a cMP 5,1 running 10.14.6. Does anyone have any advice?

One port will be for a powered hub that will hoover up a bunch of USB ≤ 2.0 devices - software key (iLok), controllers (1 × MIDI, 2 × monome) maybe an audio interface (Audient id22) if it'll play nice on the hub.

Other port(s) will be for general use, files transfers, future proofing.

My bluetooth/WiFi is an updated broadcom with BT4.2. WiFi is the primary network connection & my keyboard/mouse/trackpad are BT so interference might be an issue.

Does anyone have an experience/advice in my situation?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MIKX]

On Jan. 14th 2020 in . .

USB 3.x PCIe Cards for Classic Mac Pro

This card is apparently manufactured as "Pardasey" on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VQT8BBF?_encoding=UTF8&SubscriptionId=AKIAICXA3HIV5ZWSCBIQ&camp=2025&creative=386001&creativeASIN=B07VQT8BBF&linkCode=xm2&showDetailTechData=1&tag=xipron0d-20#technical-data and on AliExpress...

forums.macrumors.com

Post #2576

I posted that. I had bought a USB 3.1 2 port Pardasy ASM3142 PCIe card https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32950854951.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.72894c4d4KJHBP.

US$15.25 on AliExpress

( NOTE : This card was horribly expensive on Amazon.com ! )

. . later I expressed that I did not trust this card.

However, I was mistaken. Last month I had another brand USB 3.1 card fail, re-installed the above card in my 4,1>5,1 and so far ( 1 month so far ) have found it to actually be a no-problem card. It works well.

If connecting this card I appreciate the fact that it requires SATA power from the cMP. ( I no longer have ANY spinner HDDs installed.)
card connected SSDs disconnect when using an externally connected to USB 3.1 twoHDD/SSD port DOCK. So I Connect the internal SATA power cable when installing, especially if HDDs& SSDs are connected.

So far, highly recommended . . . works well and cheap !

 

[incumbent]

I've got a PCI-E USB 3.0 x2 eSATA x2 card from CalDigit I used in a 3,1. If I recall correctly CalDigit no longer supports that particular one, but once I found out the xHCI side of the card had an NEC chipset I rolled up my sleeves and did a historical re-enactment of me trying to get USB 3 working on an old Hac I built.

I think all I really had to do was change a vendor ID in another driver or something. I didn't run that machine past Catalina.

I have a couple of JBODs with USB 3 type-a cables that worked fine with it, but eSATA performed better under high I/O. I didn't have many expectations of that machine. It ran and it ran reliably though. Kind of missing that lately.

 

[Flocarino]

Is this card worth a try, by reading the specs on the description page ?

ULANSeN 7-Port PCI-E to Type C (2), Type A (5) USB 3.0 Expansion Card with 2 Rear USB 3.0 Ports PCI Express Card Desktop for Windows Mac Pro

ULANSeN 7-Port PCI-E to Type C (2), Type A (5) USB 3.0 Expansion Card with 2 Rear USB 3.0 Ports PCI Express Card Desktop for Windows Mac Pro

www.amazon.ca

 

[jscipione]

It says fl1100 chipset which means it’s about the most compatible card out there but is limited to 5gbps (or less) due to PCIe 1x.

 

[joevt]

It says fl1100 chipset which means it’s about the most compatible card out there but is limited to 5gbps (or less) due to PCIe 1x.

Right. FL1100 is very compatible with Mac (lots of devices made for Macs use it, including some made by Apple).
USB 3.0 is 4 Gbps (5 Gbps on the wire, using 8b/10b encoding)
PCIe 1.0 x1 is also 4 Gbps (5 Gbps on the wire, using 8b/10b encoding)
But PCIe has more overhead than USB so the 5 Gbps USB performance from the FL1100 will be slightly lower than the 5 Gbps that you can get from a faster USB controller (like the 8 Gbps ASM1142 or 10 Gbps ASM2142) even if a USB hub is used. The test I saw was with a CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock which has both a ASM1142 and a couple FL1100. I wonder if non-Thunderbolt tests would show a similar result.

That card has 7 ports. 3 are directly connected to the FL1100. The remaining four are connected to a hub connected to the FL1100.

 

[cmm]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask...I am trying to build a NAS for my Mac Mini and I want to connect using TB3. Can I install one of the USB 3.2 gen 2x2 OR USB4 PCIe cards mentioned in the OP in my HP ProLiant box and be able to connect to my Mini and take advantage of the full speed my 4x8tb with an SSD cache array offers? Otherwise, my only other options seems to be to use my 10GbE port on my Mini...
Any other suggestions?

OWC sells a few JBOD options, but I much rather use my HP virtualization server that I already have. Thanks!

 

[joevt]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask...I am trying to build a NAS for my Mac Mini and I want to connect using TB3. Can I install one of the USB 3.2 gen 2x2 OR USB4 PCIe cards mentioned in the OP in my HP ProLiant box and be able to connect to my Mini and take advantage of the full speed my 4x8tb with an SSD cache array offers? Otherwise, my only other options seems to be to use my 10GbE port on my Mini...
Any other suggestions?

OWC sells a few JBOD options, but I much rather use my HP virtualization server that I already have. Thanks!

Mac Mini can't do USB gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) without an external PCIe card in a Thunderbolt PCIe expansion box. In that case, a third party macOS driver may be required to enable 20 Gbps (as mentioned in the first post). I don't know how reliable that driver is and it should probably be modified so it doesn't affect other USB controllers in the Mac mini.

If you can install a Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 card in the HPE ProLiant box (I don't know anything about it), then it may be possible to use Thunderbolt networking. I am not sure how well Thunderbolt networking performs (I think Thunderbolt networking is slower than one would expect, but it might depend on the OS used).

Here's some performance numbers (you'll want to replace these with your own numbers):
1) Thunderbolt 3 storage (e.g. NVMe): 2750 MB/s
2) USB 20 Gbps: 2000 MB/s
3) USB 10 Gbps: 1000 MB/s
4) 10 GbE: 870 MB/s
5) Thunderbolt networking: 865 MB/s (maybe more, maybe less)