StarTech.com PEXUSB312A2C2V 4-Port USB PCIe Card - Dual Controller - 2x USB-C & 2x USB-A 10Gbps - USB 3.2 Gen 2 with SATA Power
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Product Features
Technical Overview
This USB expansion card installs in a PCI Express 3.0 x4 slot, with backward compatibility to PCIe 2.0 at reduced performance. The dual-controller architecture provides up to 20Gbps total bandwidth across four independent 10Gbps ports, each supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 (formerly USB 3.1 Gen 2) specifications.
The card features UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) support for improved efficiency and reduced CPU utilization during data transfers. Automatic driver installation occurs on Windows 8 and later, Linux 3.5+, and macOS 10.13+, while Windows 7 requires manual driver installation.
Relevant factors for this section include Host Interface, UASP Support. When those points are considered together, they give buyers a clearer picture of how the product is equipped, how it fits into deployment, and what kind of day-to-day role it is meant to support.
A strong technical summary explains how the product's interfaces, hardware profile, and operating characteristics work together in real deployment. Buyers often need this context to confirm compatibility with existing devices, expected performance in daily use, and whether installation will be straightforward for IT staff or end users.
Key Product Advantages
This expansion card addresses common connectivity limitations in modern computing environments by providing both USB-C and USB-A ports with full 10Gbps performance. The dual-controller design prevents bandwidth sharing issues that can occur with single-controller solutions.
Power Delivery Flexibility
The optional SATA power connector supplies supplemental power up to 5V 3A/15W per USB-C port and 5V 0.9A/4.5W per USB-A port, ensuring stable operation with power-intensive external storage devices.
- Prevents data corruption
- Supports multiple drives
- Eliminates power warnings
Broad Compatibility
Works with USB 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, and 2.0 devices across Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms, making it suitable for mixed-OS environments and legacy device support.
- Cross-platform ready
- Legacy device support
- Enterprise deployment
Deployment / Use Cases
This PCIe USB card serves as an ideal expansion solution for workstations, servers, and desktop systems requiring additional high-speed USB connectivity. The combination of USB-C and USB-A ports accommodates both modern and legacy peripherals simultaneously.
Common deployment scenarios include adding external SSD or NVMe drive arrays for video editing workstations, expanding USB connectivity for server backup solutions, and providing additional ports for peripheral-intensive CAD/CAM systems. The card's full-profile bracket ensures compatibility with standard desktop and server chassis.
External Storage Expansion
Connect multiple external SSDs, HDDs, or NVMe drives simultaneously for backup, media storage, or project workspace expansion without internal drive bay limitations.
Peripheral Connectivity
Add USB-C and USB-A ports for docking stations, external displays, audio interfaces, and other peripherals in systems with limited motherboard USB connectivity.
Physical Profile
The red-colored plug-in card measures 4.40" (111.76 mm) in length, 3.30" (83.82 mm) in width, and 0.90" (22.86 mm) in height, with an approximate weight of 2.80 oz (79.38 g). The compact form factor fits standard PCIe slots in most desktop and server chassis. The included full-profile bracket ensures proper mounting in standard cases, while the red PCB provides visual distinction during installation and maintenance.
- Width
- 3.30" (83.82 mm)
- Height
- 0.90" (22.86 mm)
- Weight
- 2.80 oz (79.38 g)
- Length
- 4.40" (111.76 mm)
What's in the Box
The package includes everything needed for immediate installation and operation.
Package contents include PCI Express USB Card Full Profile Bracket (Installed) Quick-Start Guide, PCI Express USB Card. These included items support setup, installation, and immediate deployment without needing to source the core bundled accessories separately.
Highlights
- Dual ASM3142 controllers provide independent 10Gbps bandwidth per port
- 2x USB-C and 2x USB-A ports support modern and legacy devices simultaneously
- Optional SATA power connector delivers supplemental power up to 15W per USB-C port
- UASP support reduces CPU utilization and improves transfer efficiency
- Automatic driver installation on Windows 8+, Linux 3.5+, and macOS 10.13+
- PCI Express 3.0 x4 interface with backward compatibility to PCIe 2.0
- Works with USB 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, and 2.0 devices for broad compatibility
- 2-year warranty with free 24/5 North American technical support
- RoHS, REACH, and WEEE compliant for environmental responsibility
- Full-profile bracket included for standard desktop and server installation
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | StarTech.com |
| Manufacturer Part Number | PEXUSB312A2C2V |
| Brand Name | StarTech.com |
| Product Name | PCI Express USB Card |
| Product Type | USB Adapter |
| Technical Information | |
| Host Interface | PCI Express x4 |
| Media & Performance | |
| UASP Support | Yes |
| Interfaces/Ports | |
| Total Number of USB Ports | 4 |
| Number of USB 3.2 Ports | 4 |
| Software | |
| Operating System Supported | Windows 7,Windows 8,Windows 8.1,Windows 10,Windows 11,Windows Server 2008 R2,Windows Server 2012,Windows Server 2016,Windows Server 2019,Windows Server 2022,Linux 3.5,Mac OS X 10.13 High Sierra,Mac OS X 10.14 Mojave,Mac OS X 10.15 Catalina,Mac OS X 11.0 Big Sur,Mac OS X 12.0 Monterey,Mac OS X 13.0 Ventura |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Color Family | Red |
| Product Color | Red |
| Form Factor | Plug-in Card |
| Height | 0.90" (22.86 mm) |
| Width | 3.30" (83.82 mm) |
| Length | 4.40" (111.76 mm) |
| Weight (Approximate) | 2.80 oz (79.38 g) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Package Contents | PCI Express USB Card Full Profile Bracket (Installed) Quick-Start Guide |
| Platform Supported | PC,Linux,Mac |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| Environmentally Friendly | Yes |
| Environmental Certification | EU RoHS |
| Environmental Compliance | Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) 2,Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH),Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) |
| Warranty | |
| Limited Warranty | 2 Year |
User Manual
FAQ
What types of devices work best with this USB PCIe card?
This card excels with high-speed external storage devices including SSDs, NVMe drives, and HDDs that benefit from 10Gbps transfer rates. It also supports USB-C and USB-A peripherals like docking stations, external displays, audio interfaces, and backup drives. The dual controllers maintain maximum bandwidth even when mixing different device types and speeds.
Do I need to connect the SATA power cable for the card to work?
The SATA power connection is optional but recommended when connecting power-intensive devices like multiple external drives or devices requiring substantial power delivery. Without SATA power, the card draws power from the PCIe slot, which may be insufficient for some high-power USB-C devices. The card functions with basic peripherals using only PCIe slot power.
Which operating systems support this expansion card?
The card supports Windows 7 through 11, Windows Server 2008 R2 through 2022, Linux kernel 3.5 and later, and macOS 10.13 High Sierra through 13.0 Ventura. Windows 8 and later, Linux 3.5+, and macOS 10.13+ feature automatic driver installation, while Windows 7 requires manual driver installation from the included resources or manufacturer website.
What PCIe slot is required for optimal performance?
Optimal performance requires a PCI Express 3.0 x4 slot, which provides sufficient bandwidth for all four ports operating at 10Gbps simultaneously. The card is backward compatible with PCIe 2.0 slots but will operate at reduced bandwidth. It installs in any x4, x8, or x16 PCIe slot using the included full-profile bracket.
How does UASP support benefit data transfers?
UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) support improves transfer efficiency by reducing CPU utilization during data transfers and enabling faster read/write operations compared to standard USB BOT (Bulk-Only Transport) protocol. This results in quicker file transfers, especially beneficial when working with large files or multiple simultaneous transfers to external storage devices.
What warranty and support does StarTech.com provide?
StarTech.com backs this product with a 2-year warranty and includes free 24/5 technical support from North American-based multilingual support teams. The company's 30+ years of experience serving IT professionals ensures reliable support for deployment, troubleshooting, and compatibility questions across enterprise and professional environments.
| Qty | Price | Available |
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