USB hub or card - which performs better?

[GregsterD]

I'm planning to get either one because I'm getting a digital camera, which requires a USB port for transfering files - my other 2 on my mobo is being used.

I wonder which one I should get? I've read in the forums that some people have power associated problems with USB hubs, but it doesn't use up a PCI slot. While a USB adapter card does use a PCI slot, does it perform faster since it's directly connected to the mobo?

 

[Allanv]

my first encounter with a usb pci card was a nightmare,, it would only allow 1 port to be used at anyone time...

soooo usb powered hum is the way i went it was fast and stable although my HP printer refused to work if conected to it .. had to connect to the PC for it to work...

But now i have a MB gigabyte G7 VTX that has 4 onboard usb ports so i sold the hub..

i would say go for a powered usb hub and be done with it....

 

[robg1701]

<< While a USB adapter card does use a PCI slot, does it perform faster since it's directly connected to the mobo? >>


All depends on what your doing. Putting a hub onto a port will mean its limited by the main ports bandwidth, so yes in effect a card can theoretically be faster...HOWEVER...if your not using a couple high (well, relative, for USB, hehe) bandwidth devices on the hub at the same time, then your not gonna notice any difference whatsoever against connecting it to the mobos ports or a PCI cards ports.

If you thik you need the bandwidth, then i know Belkin do a PCI card with 4 USB1.1 ports, all actual proper ports, that can be utilised at the same time by different devices, so thats 4x 12Mbit as apposed to 1 hub sharing the 4 ports across a single 12Mbit USB port on the back of the mobo. But your still only getting the 12Mbit per device. Theyve also got a 5ports USB 2 card, 4 external 1 internal, but thats not gonna make any difference unless your camera can do USB2, since it will just run at 12Mbit speeds as well.

SO as i say, depends what your gonna use on the hub...a PCI card certainly wont make file transfers any faster than connecting the camera directly to its own port on the mobo or connecting it to a hub along with low bandwidth devices. Only if your running devices on the same port (through a hub) as it that are taking up substantial bandwidth will you notice the difference.


Understand ?

 

[GregsterD]

Thanks for the replies. Yea, I guess I understand.

I think I'll be getting the Belkin PCI card. I'm going getting it for the reason that I require more USB ports to my system and not having the hassle of unplugging my cables all the time.

No, I don't think the Canon Powershot G2 digital camera can even reach 12Mbits/s on its provided port. BTW, I'm adding a 1GB IBM Microdrive to my camera. So, I'm looking to have high transfer rates when I'm uploading pics to my hard drive. Would adding the USB card be reasonable, or should I go for an external reader of a faster capability? Thanks!

 

[robg1701]

On that im not sure, sorry, it would depend on what the speed limitations of the drive are, ie what interface used......not at all familiar with that side of thigns im afraid. Im sure theres peeps out there that are, maybe you should change the thread title a bit, mention IBM microdrive in there somehow to get attention from those in the know.