The 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) introduced a bunch of new SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) peripherals with more to come. With USB 3.0 promising performance as much as ten times faster than USB 2.0, you'll want to add USB 3.0's digital goodness to your system as soon as you can. So, what do you need to know to make it work? Whether you have a desktop or mobile PC, we survey your options and help you zero in on your best choices.
At some point in the next year or so, we'll probably see Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA begin to include USB 3.0 support in their motherboard chipsets for both desktop and mobile systems. In the meantime, it's up to third-party developers to make USB 3.0 a reality.
The leading player in the USB 3.0 controller game is currently NEC, whose μPD720200 controller chip was the first to be certified by the Universal Serial Bus Implementer's Forum (USB-IF) (PDF link) back in September 2009. NEC’s USB 3.0 controller chip has been incorporated in all of the motherboards and systems that currently include USB 3.0 support, as well as add-on cards that include USB 3.0 support.
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A possible future rival to NEC is VIA Technology, which has released two new products that demonstrate its USB 3.0 prowess: VL810 SuperSpeed Hub Controller and VL700 USB 3.0-SATA controller. Although VIA Technology was once a major PC chipset vendor, its recent emphasis on embedded systems has made it less of a factor in PC silicon. Thus, for the immediate future, NEC is the vendor that makes USB 3.0 host adapters possible.
Marvell, another chip vendor, is often mentioned in the same breath as NEC, which might lead to confusion over who was responsible for USB 3.0 controller logic. Marvell is the company responsible for creating SATA 6Mbps controller chips found in the new motherboards and add-on cards, such as this ASUS U3S6 add-on card:
Consequently, current motherboards and add-on cards with USB 3.0 and SATA 6Mbps host adapters use controllers from both companies.
Comments are closed on this article
Ultrasound Tech...
August 29, 2011 at 12:10am
I want to have also this USB 3.0 Controllers! :) But I have already my desktop PC. Maybe next time they it will be available in our place. When they will intergrate it already in the motherboard. Whether the vendors to this chipset is Via Technology of the NEC, still very nice new feature! so loved it :)
Sharon Chang
June 13, 2011 at 12:01am
Dear All,
Sorry to disturb you.
Let me introduce our USB3.0 products to you, like
USB3.0 Hub bay/Front Panel
USB3.0 HDD Enclosure:2.5” & 3.5” & 5.25”
USB3.0 2.5”/3.5” HDD Docking/Duplicator
USB3.0 to SATA/eSATA adapter
USB3.0 I/O Card
If you have any interest, please feel free to contact me: sharon@zisun-tech.com
Website: www.coosuntech.com
cantonman
March 04, 2010 at 11:58am
Nice article but a bit too early. I don't know of many USB 3.0 devices yet nor can I find any USB 3.0 hubs. Sorry but a 2 port add-in card just won't cut it. This is really moot at this point bceause as USB 3.0 gets implemented more thoroughly, motherboards, devices and hubs will all become easier to find.
Still, it's good to know what to look for when thy become more plentiful.
Sharon Chang
June 13, 2011 at 12:08am
Hello Cantonman,
We are professional manufacturer from China for computer related products, and we are focus on USB3.0 products from year 2009.
We just designed a new USB3.0 4Port Hub, would you like to try? If you have interest, kindly let me know your email address, then I send photo and info to you.
Thank you,
Sharon Chang
jrocknyc
March 01, 2010 at 3:16pm
[mashes DOWN ARROW button on keyboard in the deluded hope of exacting vengeance]
YAUN
February 04, 2010 at 8:22am
...is NOT needed. SATA supplies more robust disk connectivity; USB just stay home with printers, cameras, etc. Leave serious, long running transfer requirements to the professional protocol.
win7fanboi
February 17, 2010 at 9:30am
what about the extra juice it supplies for faster charging times and enclosures not needing a power adapter.
thematejka
February 02, 2010 at 7:52pm
I wish there were good or bad comment l buttons like on youtube. Max PC you should add that!!
DBsantos77
February 03, 2010 at 12:16am
Right, then if you don't like someone's opinion, you'll mark them down. (Like this one.) Lol
-Santos
georgekn3mp
February 02, 2010 at 2:18pm
There are also 5 or 6 new x58 series motherboards that support both SATA-II and USB 3.0 , from Asus and Gigabyte
It appears that X58 has better support for USB 3.0 and SATA-III drives compared to P55/H55/H57, as it is not limited to "stealing" bandwidth from existing PciE lanes. The P55 only has 16 "native lanes, so adding USB3/SATA-III to that chipset reduces the video bandwidth unless you add a bridge chip like NForce 200 to the board. And even then on some new boards you can lose that speed boost if you add an extra video card.
On X58, which has more channels, when you add USB3 and SATA-III you do not lose any native speed for multiple video cards.
On my Asus P6X58D, I can run 2 video cards at 16x/16x natively and still have USB 3.0 and SATA-III both at the standard 6GB/s. Very few P55 boards can do that, and certainly not as "true" 16x/16x.
Good article....now we just have to wait for USB3 and SATA-III devices to really deliver the performance!
Cyberpower i7-920 O/C 4Ghz
Asetek LCLC120 LiquidPowercolor Radeon 5850
6GB A-Data 1600 RAM
1TB SATA HDD
Asus P6x58d with USB3 / SATA6G
Asus 26" VW266H LCD @1920x1200
JohnP
February 02, 2010 at 12:20pm
I found hits for all three mobo motherboards add-ons. The ASUS looks like the bet bet Goggle ASUS U3S6 and hit shopping. Now I am just waiting for a BlacX SATA to USB 3.0 cradle and my day will be complete..
nekollx
February 02, 2010 at 12:08pm
Seriously reduddent much? You should really merge this, the USB 3.0 white paper and "USB 3.0 FAQ" into one.
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QuakindudeMod
February 02, 2010 at 12:51pm
There's multiple reasons to not do this. However, maybe you should merge both of your comments about this to just one of the articles? Check the other article about USB3.0 for the reasons about why they should remain separate.
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