Add USB 3.0 to an Optiplex 980

On Sunday, November 10, 2013 3:22:33 PM UTC-5, Dean-MN wrote:
The subject computer is an Optiplex 980MT Core i7 860 @2.80 GHz (Lynnfield,

Quad Core, Hyperthread), Intel Q57 Express Chipset, 4GB RAM and Windows 7

64-bit.

I would like to add USB 3.0 and am in a fog about the proper card to add.

The MB has three PCI slots open. One each PCI, PCIe x4 & PCIe x16. There is

a PCIe x1 slot open but it is on the front lower part of the MB and does not

have an opening to the outside of the case. It is used for a wireless card.

The USB 3.0 card will have a powered USB 3.0 hub attached to it and will be

placed on my desk for easy access.

I have read about there being problems with USB 3.0 on some Dell models. Has

anyone done this type of upgrade and can offer a suggestion.

I routinely move .5 GB files between a NAS and SD cards. The Ethernet

network is gigabit and is quick enough until the data goes to USB 2.0 then

it slows. ...Dean

Haven't done it myself, but a PCIe 1x card would be far more likely to perform well than a PCI card. Of the PCI 1x USB 3.0 cards on Newegg, Startech, Vantec, Rosewill and Koutech are all brand names that I recognize, and I would feel comfortable using any of them. Some USB 3.0 cards require a separate power connector, either older 5v12v 4-pin white Molex or newer SATA. Make sure your system has one available, and, of course, match the card to an available connector.

There are also very inexpensive cables that have a 4-pin Molex connector at one end and SATA power at the other... Ben Myers