Internal vs External USB

I have a comp with a Spacewalker SiS530 motherboard, it has two onboard USB
ports. I was wondering if this board could have USB ports added on to it
internally. It doesn't say anything in the MB's manual about it.

I am assuming that if the MB supports it, internal USBs are better than
external, mainly because that there are less wires around the comp, but it
probably is faster also.

If anyone has experience with this board, your advice would be appreciated.

Also, any comments or opinions on USB hubs would be very helpful.
TIA

On Wed, 12 May 2004 11:11:51 -0400, "hu man" hu wrote:

I have a comp with a Spacewalker SiS530 motherboard, it has two onboard USB
ports. I was wondering if this board could have USB ports added on to it
internally. It doesn't say anything in the MB's manual about it.

You mean a PCI USB card or a dongle attached to a pin-header?

If it is a socket 7 motherboard, and IIRC, it only supports two USB ports
so there should be no pin-header. That type of support is generally
mentioned in the manual anyway.


I am assuming that if the MB supports it, internal USBs are better than
external, mainly because that there are less wires around the comp, but it
probably is faster also.

No, internal vs. external makes no difference. If your present USB ports
are USB1 then USB2 would be faster, or if your USB ports are USB2 already
then a PCI card with NEC chipset would be faster, but only a little bit,
the type of difference most noticable in sustained data transfers like an
external hard drive.


If anyone has experience with this board, your advice would be appreciated.

Also, any comments or opinions on USB hubs would be very helpful.
TIA

Depends on what you need, more USB1 ports or extension to devices further
away and/or if you have a PCI slot free for a PCI USB card (whether a HUB
is a good alternative for you).

kony, thanks for the info.
"kony" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 12 May 2004 11:11:51 -0400, "hu man" hu wrote:

I have a comp with a Spacewalker SiS530 motherboard, it has two onboard
USB
ports. I was wondering if this board could have USB ports added on to it
internally. It doesn't say anything in the MB's manual about it.

You mean a PCI USB card or a dongle attached to a pin-header?

If it is a socket 7 motherboard, and IIRC, it only supports two USB ports
so there should be no pin-header. That type of support is generally
mentioned in the manual anyway.


I am assuming that if the MB supports it, internal USBs are better than
external, mainly because that there are less wires around the comp, but
it
probably is faster also.

No, internal vs. external makes no difference. If your present USB ports
are USB1 then USB2 would be faster, or if your USB ports are USB2 already
then a PCI card with NEC chipset would be faster, but only a little bit,
the type of difference most noticable in sustained data transfers like an
external hard drive.


If anyone has experience with this board, your advice would be
appreciated.

Also, any comments or opinions on USB hubs would be very helpful.
TIA

Depends on what you need, more USB1 ports or extension to devices further
away and/or if you have a PCI slot free for a PCI USB card (whether a HUB
is a good alternative for you).

Trent, thanks for the info.

"Trent©" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 12 May 2004 11:11:51 -0400, "hu man" hu
wrote:

I have a comp with a Spacewalker SiS530 motherboard, it has two onboard
USB
ports. I was wondering if this board could have USB ports added on to it
internally. It doesn't say anything in the MB's manual about it.

The only way you can ADD internal USB ports is to install a PCI
card...which may also have an internal port besides its external
ports.

I am assuming that if the MB supports it, internal USBs are better than
external, mainly because that there are less wires around the comp, but
it
probably is faster also.

'Supports it' has nothing to do with it. Its already there...or it
isn't. The manual should tell you.

But I doubt if you have any USB ports except the external ones on the
board itself.

If anyone has experience with this board, your advice would be
appreciated.

You can buy a PCI card...that comes with a tray that mounts in the
front of the computer...in a floppy bay. It'll give you 4 external
ports there...plus 2 internal (internal meaning that you can't access
them with the cover on). They're USB 2.0.

Also, any comments or opinions on USB hubs would be very helpful.

Hubs often are a PITA. I'd suggest not getting one.

Good luck.


Have a nice week...

Trent©

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