Which chipset for USB add-on card?

[Calmuser]

looking for some more usb ports to use instead of the really finicky and picky ones on my asus p5q mobo.

but I don't know what chipset is better, VIA or NEC?

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=23868&vpn=BT-U2-410V&manufacture=Bytecc%20Inc

or

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=12284&vpn=UV2-5U%20(PG-42-410N)&manufacture=Bytecc%20Inc

[Kwirky]

I'm not sure, but they can be found cheaper than at NCIX (although NCIX will usually pricematch):

http://www.pricecanada.com/detail.php?product_id=482237&sku=BTU2410V

http://www.pricecanada.com/detail.php?product_id=524297&sku=UV25U%28PG42410N

[rabbit]

I've had the impression that NEC is better, so that's what I prefer.

If you can wait a couple of weeks for delivery, get it from Deal Extreme (if you can't get it cheaper via pricematch, etc.):

NEC $9.11USD
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4678

VIA $7.94USD
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4702

[Calmuser]

thanks, was thinking about pricematching or ordering somewhere else.

I was thinking NEC is better myself, but from the dealextreme link some guy says VIA is more compatible...

[KorruptioN]

Texas Instruments if you can.

[Calmuser]

Texas Instruments if you can.

where can you find those?

[KorruptioN]

where can you find those?

They're not exactly easy to find... especially for USB add-on cards. I usually find them in external enclosures.

I would get the NEC card.

[rabbit]

BTW, I had an nGear/NCIX USB card with a Via chipset in a PII/Intel 440LX computer. I had to try several PCI slots until it worked properly. The drivers would install okay and everything seemed okay, but when you plug a device in, the computer would freeze. I finally got it working when inserted in the first/bottom PCI slot.

[Calmuser]

thanks NEC chipset it is!

[flyz]

What about some 7-port powered usb hubs?

[JAC]

Yep, NEC and not Via.

[justmehereajax]

I purchased a 5-port PCI add-in USB card from Monoprice along with a bunch of other stuff.

I specifically order a VIA chipset based one. I got a NEC.

No price difference. I guess they ran out of VIA and gave me a NEC maybe.

Absolutely no problems with this one. I am running it on a intel 810 based computer <- really old computer. It detected right away in Windows XP Home SP2. No drivers to install.

Dave

[evanx]

NEC and you might want to check the power draw on this.

[Calmuser]

NEC and you might want to check the power draw on this.

Should I? I got a bigger PSU then I needed to be safe, so i'm thinking I should be fine.

[evanx]

Should I? I got a bigger PSU then I needed to be safe, so i'm thinking I should be fine.

I meant the card, not the PSU. The power provided by a PCI slot is low. When your draw from the USB is too high, it can damage the card. Most cards do not specify them although you might be lucky.

[Calmuser]

I meant the card, not the PSU. The power provided by a PCI slot is low. When your draw from the USB is too high, it can damage the card. Most cards do not specify them although you might be lucky.

ahh k.

I am not planning on using all the usb ports anyways. Just useing some of them with some items that don't play nicely with my built in ports on the mobo.

So i'm hoping i'll be fine, as I have nothing to test the power draw.