USB3 PCI-E card recommendations?

[RobS10]

I have a Vostro 460 and want to add a USB3 PCI-E card with as many ports as possible, including an internal one so I can add a front panel USB3 media card reader with one USB3 port. Any recommendations for a 'trouble free" one that has at least three rear ports + an internal port with power to run the front panel card reader/USB3 port? Newegg didn't have much to choose from, and usually no mention of an internal port. Is it still too soo to expect a decent selection of good cards?
Thanks!

 

[Zap]

Is it still too soo to expect a decent selection of good cards?

Probably this. Heck, even lots of motherboards with USB 3.0 onboard do not have USB 3.0 headers. I'm also not sure a card reader would ever need it, since flash cards aren't all that fast.

Do you actually have any USB 3.0 devices yet? If not, I would suggest you wait until you actually need the card. Maybe between now and then some company will release one with the features you are looking for.

 

[RobS10]

Probably this. Heck, even lots of motherboards with USB 3.0 onboard do not have USB 3.0 headers. I'm also not sure a card reader would ever need it, since flash cards aren't all that fast.

Do you actually have any USB 3.0 devices yet? If not, I would suggest you wait until you actually need the card. Maybe between now and then some company will release one with the features you are looking for.

No devices yet, but I may want to run a USB3 scanner or printer in a year or two.There aren't a lot of USB card readers out there, and I agree it's really overkill at this point. But I need a card reader, and the computer's still pretty new, so I figured I might as well get the new standard. My front panel ports are USB2, so an internal USB3 card reader with a USB3 port would be nice.

 

[bruceb]

I agree with Zap on this one. Keep the internal ports at USB 2.0 for now and for a media card reader. When you do get USB 3.0 devices, then get an internal card for external connections to a USB 3.0 spec powered hub. I find it easier to have a small hub on the desktop for add on devices. Only things directly connected to USB are Printer, Mouse, Keyboard and HUB. Personal point, I prefer to use a Belkin external media card reader. Very cheap, works well and will work with 99.9% of cards out there. Why waste space on the computer case which can be for another drive ? ? They do not take much desk space.

 

[RobS10]

I agree with Zap on this one. Keep the internal ports at USB 2.0 for now and for a media card reader. When you do get USB 3.0 devices, then get an internal card for external connections to a USB 3.0 spec powered hub. I find it easier to have a small hub on the desktop for add on devices. Only things directly connected to USB are Printer, Mouse, Keyboard and HUB. Personal point, I prefer to use a Belkin external media card reader. Very cheap, works well and will work with 99.9% of cards out there. Why waste space on the computer case which can be for another drive ? ? They do not take much desk space.

When I ordered the computer, I opted for no front panel (3.5" bay) card reader as I figured I'd add my own. Now is the time as my old Lexar external reader refuses to read some cards. I like the idea of reducing the wire clutter on my desk, so an internal seems like the way to go. I can just buy a USB2 reader and be done with it, but will probably upgrade my back panel ports to USB3 in a couple years when peripherals are more common, so thought if there are decent parts available now, why not make the jump.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

I reviewed one of the more expensive PCI-e USB 3.0 cards here. I'd definitely recommend it as other USB 3.0 PCIe cards I've used had issues with requiring restarts after multiple insertions/ejections (similar to what happened when USB first came out, if you remember that far back), whereas this one did not. It's not cheap but it'll keep you covered for years to come, I'm sure.

 

[RobS10]

I reviewed one of the more expensive PCI-e USB 3.0 cards here. I'd definitely recommend it as other USB 3.0 PCIe cards I've used had issues with requiring restarts after multiple insertions/ejections (similar to what happened when USB first came out, if you remember that far back), whereas this one did not. It's not cheap but it'll keep you covered for years to come, I'm sure.

Thanks...that card looks great, and if I were a Pro video person, wouldn't think twice about the cost. However, my needs aren't that high end ;-). Hopefully I can track down something a little cheaper, maybe settle for 2 external ports. The trick is finding one with an internal port to hook up a card reader, and power to it.

 

[paperwastage]

No devices yet, but I may want to run a USB3 scanner or printer in a year or two.There aren't a lot of USB card readers out there, and I agree it's really overkill at this point. But I need a card reader, and the computer's still pretty new, so I figured I might as well get the new standard. My front panel ports are USB2, so an internal USB3 card reader with a USB3 port would be nice.

wait, usb3 scanner or printer? didn't know scanning or printer saturated the USB 2.0 bandwidth spec

 

[RobS10]

wait, usb3 scanner or printer? didn't know scanning or printer saturated the USB 2.0 bandwidth spec

I should have said more to do with external storage, not so much scanners and printers for a while