USB 2.0 Card / Hub advice.

[SteelCityFan]

I currently have 3 USB 1.1 ports on my motherboard, and 5 USB devices. A couple of them are used rarely, so I have just been swaping cables when I need to.

I want to get a Hub or PCI card to solve this issue.

At first, I was planning on getting a USB 1.1 Hub for about $16 shipped from buy.com (Linksys). Then, I figured I would just buy a 4 port USB 2.0 PCI card (compatable with 1.1 of course) instead even though I don't have any USB 2.0 devices yet... just in case I ever do.

Is there a preferred brand? Or does it not make a difference.

Thanks

 

[JamesM3M5]

I just bought this 5-port USB 2.0 card at newegg for $23 including shipping. Works great. I put a 6-in-1 card reader inside my PC and cut a hole in a blank drive bay for it and plugged it into the internal USB port on the card. The 5th internal plug is also handy to plug in front mounted USB panels or internal devices that don't plug directly into the mobo.

 

[JamesM3M5]

This card has 5 USB 2.0 and 3 Firewire ports, and they mount up front in a 3.5" bay. Nice, but pricey at $65 + shipping.