So when are Z270 boards supposed to come out?

[Valantar]

You can.

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboard-Accessory/ThunderboltEX-3/

Unfortunately you'll also need one of the compatible boards, as it requires a special onboard TB header.

Well, then that doesn't exactly qualify as an add-in card in the true sense. More of a limited-run accessory for specific motherboards.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Well, then that doesn't exactly qualify as an add-in card in the true sense. More of a limited-run accessory for specific motherboards.

From what I hear, the 10GBit USB3.1 part functions without the header. It's just the TB part that needs it.

 

[Valantar]

From what I hear, the 10GBit USB3.1 part functions without the header. It's just the TB part that needs it.

Well that's just sad. You get to pay twice the price of a regular USB 3.1 PCIe AIC just for the privilege of having a non-functional TB3 controller do the job. Wonderful.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Well that's just sad. You get to pay twice the price of a regular USB 3.1 PCIe AIC just for the privilege of having a non-functional TB3 controller do the job. Wonderful.

Its worth baring in mind that the only other add-in 10Gbit USB3.1 controller on the market (ASM1142) only features either a PCIe 3.0 x1 (985MB/s theoretically) or PCIe 2.0 x2 (1000MB/s theoretical) interface. Which is barely enough for a single 10Gbit port running full speed (1250MB/s theoretical).

The Alpine Ridge controller does have a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface (3940MB/s). If you need the absolute fastest USB controller it is your only option.

 

[vailr]

Gigabyte TB 3 card would be another option:
https://www.alternate.de/html/product/1306936

 

[Valantar]

Gigabyte TB 3 card would be another option:
https://www.alternate.de/html/product/1306936

Is that actually universally functional? If so: neat. Although it really, really should be a HHHL card.

 

[Valantar]

Its worth baring in mind that the only other add-in 10Gbit USB3.1 controller on the market (ASM1142) only features either a PCIe 3.0 x1 (985MB/s theoretically) or PCIe 2.0 x2 (1000MB/s theoretical) interface. Which is barely enough for a single 10Gbit port running full speed (1250MB/s theoretical).

The Alpine Ridge controller does have a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface (3940MB/s). If you need the absolute fastest USB controller it is your only option.

Hm. Then why does this have a PCIe x4 interface? For the good looks? Can't tell the model number on the controller, but it is Asmedia.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Hm. Then why does this have a PCIe x4 interface? For the good looks? Can't tell the model number on the controller, but it is Asmedia.

It most likely employs the PCIe 2.0 x2 interface. But since there isn't a physical PCIe x2 slot, it is x4 physical.

Asrock makes a similar one:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/spec/card.asp?Model=USB 3.1/A+C

From the specs:

- PCI Express x4 Connector (x2 lane)
- Compliant with PCI Express 1.1, 2.0 and 3.0 specifications
- Supports data rates up to 10 Gbps
- Compliant with x4, x8 or x16 PCI Express Slots

Emphasis mine.

Also from ASMedias own specification page on the ASM1142;

PCI Express Feature
-Support PCI Express Gen2x2 or Gen3x1
-Up to 10Gbps bandwidth performance with low latency
-Support PCI Express Link power management
-Compliant with PCI Express Base 3.0 Specification
-Compliant with PCI Express card Electromechanical 2.0 specification
-Compliant with PCI Express Mini Card Electromechanical 1.2 specification
-Compliant with Express Card Standard Revision 2.0
-Compliant with PCI Bus Power Management Interface Specification Revision 1.2
-Compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 3.0
-Support overclocking capability on PCI Express interface

Again my emphasis.