Why is this card so darn expensive?

Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
4
81
Why wouldn't you just put in a powered USB hub? If you have PCIe, you should have USB 2.0. Seems like a strange card to me.
 

XMan

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,513
49
91
1. All my PCI slots are full.

2. I don't want a powered USB hub, there's enough of a cable mess behind my HTPC as it is. ;)
 

HDs suck

Member
Apr 2, 2007
42
0
0
Well how about that? look guys! an actual non video card for pci-e! is it just me or has pci-e really hit a brick wall? i never see cards for it, they're always in plain old pci format.
 

Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
4
81
Originally posted by: XMan
2. I don't want a powered USB hub, there's enough of a cable mess behind my HTPC as it is. ;)
The put the powered hub inside the computer! Ok, not the most elegant solution, but it would work. ;)
 

justly

Banned
Jul 25, 2003
493
0
0
Doesn't your motherboard have internal USB connections ? I'm fairly certain most modern motherboards do.

If it does, and it should, you could go with something like this USB 2.0 4-Port Bay Hub although all I think you really need is a USB version of this I just cant seem to find one online. Maybe a local mom and pop store would be able to help.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
0
I'd get a hub that fits in a drive bay - no wiring mess... Startech stuff is generally overpriced. They are just packagers so you can almost always find the exact same card for less under a different brand. Yup, look at the Koutech card on Newegg - it's the exact same card for $10. less. Then there is the Syba card that has 4xUSB and 4xFirewire ports for $40.

.bh.


 

XMan

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,513
49
91
Originally posted by: justly
Doesn't your motherboard have internal USB connections ? I'm fairly certain most modern motherboards do.

If it does, and it should, you could go with something like this USB 2.0 4-Port Bay Hub although all I think you really need is a USB version of this I just cant seem to find one online. Maybe a local mom and pop store would be able to help.

It has ten USB connectors. They're all in use - four for the front (gamepads, memory stick, etc), three USB HD tuners, an IR receiver, an RF receiver, and an external hard drive.

Bay port is not an option because it's an HTPC.

Aha, thanks for the Syba tip. This is a little more reasonable, especially after I got 10 bucks off with Google Checkout. :D
 

justly

Banned
Jul 25, 2003
493
0
0
Originally posted by: XMan

It has ten USB connectors. They're all in use - four for the front (gamepads, memory stick, etc), three USB HD tuners, an IR receiver, an RF receiver, and an external hard drive.

That puts "2. I don't want a powered USB hub, there's enough of a cable mess behind my HTPC as it is." in a little better perspective :eek:.

At least someone was able to help you :).
 

XMan

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,513
49
91
Originally posted by: justly
Originally posted by: XMan

It has ten USB connectors. They're all in use - four for the front (gamepads, memory stick, etc), three USB HD tuners, an IR receiver, an RF receiver, and an external hard drive.

That puts "2. I don't want a powered USB hub, there's enough of a cable mess behind my HTPC as it is." in a little better perspective :eek:.

;) That's not even counting audio cables, antenna cables, network lines, speaker wire, etc. :D