Add extra USB3 ports to Pavilion 550-154na

[TrevorMc]

I need extra USB ports suitable for external hard drives as all rear ports are now full.

Whilst a powered plug-in hub would do I'd prefer to install a USB3 card using the internal spare/available PCI Express x1 & a SATA power Y cable splitter if I can. Are there any speed, power &/or other implications please?

Are USB3 ports likely to operate at full speed?

And is the 180W internal power supply sufficient for those additional demands?

Thanks so much.

[WAWood]

TrevorMC

I have done both options on my desktop (installed PCie x1 USB 3.0 card and attached powered USB 3.0 hub) and have done some testing to verify that the transfer speeds are the same with both.  I though the hub might be slower than the PCIe card, but it is not.

Are you connecting USB 3.0 external drives? Because those get power from the USB 3.0 cable and don't need extra power cables.

Good Luck

I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor do I represent, HP.
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[TrevorMc]

My current external drives have their own discrete power supplies but I'm wanting to learn & future-proof as I go along. Thanks so much. I'd best get hold of a card & see how it all goes over time.

[TrevorMc · Accepted solution]

This worked really well. An Inateck 4 port USB 3.0 card slotted easily into the spare PCI x1 slot, powered through a 'Y' splitter cable. Took about 3 minutes, worked immediately, & perfoming great.