hey op! I would like to expand the number of USB ports I have. There are three ways to go and I am not sure which would be the best way to go: Self powered external USB hub - can have it on the desk for "external drives" hot swapping etc Exeternaly powered USB hub - is the external power necessary? Is it better than self powered? PCI card with 3 - 5 additional sockets. Cheep, and static but hard to reach for removable devices (digital camera, flash drives, etc). Is PCI necessarily more advantegous than a USB hub? Thnaks for any input!
I always think that the PCI card is the cleanest way to expanding the USB's, untill I bought both of my new HD 24'' monitors - they have 4 port USB 2.0 hubs built into the sides - I used to have the exact same problem as you until I got these as my case is very old but I keep it for sentimental reasons - stupid I know - Crap airflow and no USB/Headphones on the front! It really depends on what you use them for, - my mobo has 8 usb on the back i use them for constantly connected different usb cables - Ipod, micro usb, mini USB etc while I use the ones on the screens for usb sticks and bluetooth.
Thanks Freg, I have 4 socket at the back and 2 on top via a header on the Mobo. The connectors for this particular connection is haphazard at the very best and I am pretty sure I did not connect it very well as one of the sockets gives me problems when I connect my iPod. Aaanyways, the top option is not really relevant because of the position of the case. So, I know what I want to do but really want to pick up the best option... I really favour the USB hub which sits on the PC desk but not sure if I should go for the self powered one or the one which takes external power... What could be an advers effect if I took the self powered hub?
as far as i'm concerned, there is no decision to make, i'd choose an external powered hub, because: a self powered hub can only supply a maximum of 1.5A when running @ low speed, as the speed approaches the max speed the current available to high speeding devices lowers to 900mA so a high speed, say a HDD, may require the use of a USB adapter which actually uses 2 USB ports to reproduce 1 USB port that can supply power from both USB ports hope this helps BTW: the USB adapter should come with high power devices or they'll say "only use this device with an externally powered hub"
[ot] if you are walking on a fell, please don't fall in, it's not big, it's not clever & it's bl00dy cold[/ot]
Thanks Both! Donkey, that was exactly why I posted the thread! So, many thanks for the detailed explenation! Will go and place my order now...
no problem, it makes a nice change to be helpful to you ray: Edit: i could have really shown off, but, you get the idea, besides, i'm modest :embaracement:[ot]and if you believe that loada crap, you'll believe anything[/ot]
