USB 3.x PCIe Cards for Classic Mac Pro

[flowrider]

Yeah, so UASP *IS* supported by the Inateck KT4004 in both Mountain Lion and Mavericks.

Marketing as usual tends to be misinformed.

Thanks for being persistent and checking. Seems we have quite a card!

Lou

 

[popcorn-in-sac]

I have an Inateck powered card and issues with a Lexar® Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader: whenever I stick an SD card in it, the card unmounts after a few seconds. If I try accessing before It unmounts, access is very slow. Still have the older USB 2.0 version of the same reader which works OK with all my cards.
Is the USB 3.0 reader very specific in what memory cards it supports or is it incompatible with the Inateck controller?

I have experienced the same thing as well. Lexar USB 3.0 Dual-Slot reader operating very slowly with disconnects when used with any FL-based USB 3.0 card in my 5,1. I ended up with the Sandisk USB 3.0 card reader, and it's been very solid and operates at full card speed from what I've seen so far.

I also had bad luck with a USB 3.0 card reader from Pluggable. My current theory is that a number of USB 3.0 card readers use the same chipset to power them, and that chipset has some compatibility issue with the FL-based cards.

Those same card readers work just fine with a rMBP with native USB 3.0 ports.

Mark

 

[crjackson2134]

Thanks crjackson2134 for effort in contacting and sharing the response from the Inateck marketing dept to clarify on UASP. Hope you're having a good weekend.

Thanks, it's boring at best. I am on meds and sleep about 16 Hrs. per day. My only entertainment comes from my iPad and Netflix.

 

[fiatlux]

What is the state of USB 3.0 on Mac Pro?

I have experienced the same thing as well. Lexar USB 3.0 Dual-Slot reader operating very slowly with disconnects when used with any FL-based USB 3.0 card in my 5,1.

Thanks, no need to insist I guess... :-(

This USB 3.0update will have been more painful than hoped: Inateck card which turned out difficult to power (I have a full MP, with no spare SATA power connector, newer powerless version ordered to get rid of that cables mess), USB 3.0 dock dead on arrival and now this reader that's not compatible...

 

[Earl Urly]

fiatlux, which USB hub was it?

I've read that Asmedia chips have real issues communicating with Etron chipsets. So far Asmedia works fine with Fresco Logic for the most part, my Orico BOKCore hub is ASM105E based.

But there are some Silicon Power based flash keys (like MicroCenter's in-house brand) that take 40-60 seconds to be recognized/mount on the BOKCore. My Patriot and SanDisk USB 3.0 Extreme mount instantly, though I suspect that's because the Patriot is also ASMedia based and the SanDisk USB uses a real SSD controller, same that's used in some of their older SSDs like the ReadyCaches and Ultras.

 

[fiatlux]

No USB hub, card reader directly connected to one of the adapter card ports.

 

[brosenz]

This PCI-E card works well with the Mac Pro, I tried the Inateck KT4004 and did not work, maybe a defective one. Regarding this card, if you are connecting your devices directly to the USB 3.0 ports on the card, then you will need the extra power cable to power the card. In my case I have just 1 USB 3.0 cable going from the card into a USB 3.0 Powered HUB, then I connect all the devices to the HUB that also provides 900mA/port. Links to the Card and Hub below:

PCI-E USB 3.0 Card:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GG5GMKK/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

USB 3.0 Hub:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GLJLXJG/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[BrenMyster]

Anyone got any idea when the Inateck KT4004 will be in the uk amazon store?

 

[Earl Urly]

Kt4004

The description of the Inateck KT4004 in the US Amazon store was recently modified, it now shows the following:

Features
- No additional power supply for normal recognition and operation needed anymore, optimised board plane architecture, fast and easy installation, keeps your Mac Pro case tidy
- PCI Express Expansion Card with 4 USB 3.0 Ports: With quick and easy installation, this PCI Express card expands your Mac Pro by four high-speed USB3.0 interfaces, offers a simple solution for connecting to USB 3.0 devices from your Mac Pro
- Support UASP: 70% Faster than traditional USB 3.0, with UASP Transfer Protocol; The UASP Transfer Protocol only can accelerate read and write speed of SSD hard disk.

Straight from the horse's mouth.

 

[crjackson2134]

The description of the Inateck KT4004 in the US Amazon store was recently modified, it now shows the following:



Straight from the horse's mouth.

Thanks Eral, I updated the original review to include this information. I have pressed Inateck and received a vastly different spin (non-marketing source) on the UASP technical ability of the card, but elected not to post here since it has become an internal point of contention. Since they have remained suddenly silent after requesting further explanation (I'm not talking about the web tech. support or marketing) in their response to me, and decided to change the advertisement of the feature set, I can only conclude that UASP is indeed supported.

I stand happily corrected, but with an asterisk (*), since my information came from Inateck.

Full UASP support provides more than the speed increase for SSD transfers and these aspects are curiously absent in their description. Perhaps this is why it wasn't initially highlighted? I don't know, but I'm done with it. This information doesn't change anything for me, it's by far the most versatile USB 3.0 card I've used thus far, and I highly endorse this card for most users. I haven't personally tested UASP features but at least I can add that feature to my list of considerations. Thanks again for your input, I wouldn't have known this otherwise.

 

[Earl Urly]

Inateck just came out with a 7-port card that definitely needs power.

Don't ever think I'd ever be in a situation where I needed 7 USB 3 ports right on my CPU but I guess Inateck received enough feedback that it'd sell.

 

[colincarter]

Anyone got any idea when the Inateck KT4004 will be in the uk amazon store?

That's where I got mine from just before Christmas, I just looked now and can't see it anymore. They will get it back in though, probably just a case of keeping checking back.

Great card works perfectly in my macpro. The only thing I've not been able to get working is a lexar pro dual card reader so I binned it and got a different one that works.

 

[mikeboss]

The only thing I've not been able to get working is a lexar pro dual card reader so I binned it and got a different one that works.

that's strange. my LEXAR card reader works flawless with the KT4004. there was a firmware upgrade for the LEXAR, did you try to upgrade the reader?

 

[Marty62]

Just an FYI for anyone who needs the Kt4004 card AND a USB3.0 Hub.
I bought the 5 port Inateck powered Hub - 4 plus Charger port for iPad from Amazon.

Link: http://www.amazon.de/Inateck-1-Lade...1396854912&sr=1-1&keywords=Inateck+USB3.0+hub

Works together perfectly, full bandwidth and zero issues with anything that I
have plugged in, including 3 x 2.5 drives needing power, canon printer/scanner
thumb drives and mice.

Cheers,
M.

 

[Earl Urly]

Hb5001

Hurm, not available in US store yet.

 

[flowrider]

I'm using this hub with good success:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D7P6176/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_M3T1_ST1_dp_1

Lou

 

[fiatlux]

that's strange. my LEXAR card reader works flawless with the KT4004. there was a firmware upgrade for the LEXAR, did you try to upgrade the reader?

Good to know. I had the same problem, and shelved the USB 3.0 reader, using the older 2.0 unit until now. Hopefully, the firmware fix can be applied on the mac.

 

[colincarter]

that's strange. my LEXAR card reader works flawless with the KT4004. there was a firmware upgrade for the LEXAR, did you try to upgrade the reader?

I did update the firmware yes but it never made a difference.

The Sandisk USB reader works perfectly as does lexar's new 4 bay card hub.

----------

Good to know. I had the same problem, and shelved the USB 3.0 reader, using the older 2.0 unit until now. Hopefully, the firmware fix can be applied on the mac.

Yes you can apply the firmware on the mac but it never made any difference to my unit. The Sandisk USB 3 reader and lexars new pro hub works perfectly though.

 

[WM.]

Inateck just came out with a 7-port card that definitely needs power.

Don't ever think I'd ever be in a situation where I needed 7 USB 3 ports right on my CPU but I guess Inateck received enough feedback that it'd sell.

Heh, you can see it's the same (4-port) FL1100 controller, with 3 of its ports going to the back panel and the 4th port connected to a 4-port hub chip which handles the remaining 4 ports on the back panel. (I suppose that's probably how all 7-port cards are.)

 

[zero hectic]

Inateck KT4004

Thought I'd chime in: purchased the KT4004 off on Amazon about a month ago, and for the most part, worked as advertised. Ran into the occasional issue on boot up with a Drobo S attached and failing to mount, but disconnecting, reconnecting and restarting the Drobo S seemed bring it back.

Last Saturday, my Mac Pro seems to have spontaneously shut down (I wasn't around to see it) and refused to start back up. Black screen, no action. Didn't come back to life until I pulled the KT4004. Installed an older PCI-E and the Pro handled it fine. Reinstalled the KT4004 and no boot, no startup. Returning the card and have a second on order to give it another shot.

 

[flowrider]

^^^^That's a new one on me. Haven't of that card failure before. Thanks for sharing. Does sound like a defective card. But to bring the whole machine to it's knees - strange?

Lou

 

[Marty62]

Thought I'd chime in: purchased the KT4004 off on Amazon about a month ago, and for the most part, worked as advertised. Ran into the occasional issue on boot up with a Drobo S attached and failing to mount, but disconnecting, reconnecting and restarting the Drobo S seemed bring it back.

Last Saturday, my Mac Pro seems to have spontaneously shut down (I wasn't around to see it) and refused to start back up. Black screen, no action. Didn't come back to life until I pulled the KT4004. Installed an older PCI-E and the Pro handled it fine. Reinstalled the KT4004 and no boot, no startup. Returning the card and have a second on order to give it another shot.

Hmm, sorry to hear that and hopefully it's just a defective unit and a swop will
sort the problem.
I have had mine running for about 6 weeks now with no issues at all.
Keep us posted ?
M.

 

[bruitmonkey]

I guess no KT4004 for those who doesn't live in the US?!

 

[zero hectic]

^^^^That's a new one on me. Haven't of that card failure before. Thanks for sharing. Does sound like a defective card. But to bring the whole machine to it's knees - strange?

Lou

Yeah, never seen that myself. For a second there I was convinced the computer itself had given up the ghost. Eager to see how the new card holds up.

 

[zero hectic]

Hmm, sorry to hear that and hopefully it's just a defective unit and a swop will
sort the problem.
I have had mine running for about 6 weeks now with no issues at all.
Keep us posted ?
M.

Just installed the replacement and so far, so good. Performing as expected. Hopefully this one will hold up a bit better.