Add USB sockets - advice

sabashuali

sabashuali

Ani Ma'amin
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:
  1. Self powered external USB hub - can have it on the desk for "external drives" hot swapping etc
  2. Exeternaly powered USB hub - is the external power necessary? Is it better than self powered?
  3. 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! :cool:
 
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 :confused: 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]
ferg said:
Exactly what I'd have said were I not walking on a fell all day :)
Click to expand...

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!
donkey42 said:
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
Click to expand...

Donkey, that was exactly why I posted the thread! So, many thanks for the detailed explenation! Will go and place my order now...
 
Saba said:
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...
Click to expand...

no problem, it makes a nice change to be helpful to you :pray:

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]
 
[ot]
donkey42 said:
[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]
Click to expand...

Fall in? I could fall off i guess:chk: And it was nice in the lake district yesterday :D[/ot]
 
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