StarTech.com PEXUSB312A3 2-Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 PCIe Card - 10Gbps/Port - PCIe 3.0 x 4 - SATA Power - UASP Support - Windows/Linux/macOS
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Product Features
Technical Overview
This PCIe 3.0 x4 host controller card implements USB 3.2 Gen 2 specifications, delivering theoretical speeds up to 10Gbps per port. The card supports Multiple Ins architecture for maintaining maximum bandwidth when using mixed-speed USB devices simultaneously. Backward compatibility extends to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 devices, ensuring connectivity with legacy peripherals.
The SATA power connector delivers up to 4.5W (5V @ 0.9A) per USB port, providing dedicated power beyond what the PCIe slot supplies. This supplemental power capability prevents voltage drops and ensures reliable operation with external storage devices and other power-intensive USB accessories.
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.
Key Product Advantages
This expansion card delivers professional-grade USB connectivity with features designed for demanding computing environments. The combination of high-speed interfaces, robust power delivery, and comprehensive compatibility makes it an ideal solution for expanding USB capabilities on desktop workstations and servers.
Performance Optimization
UASP support reduces CPU overhead and improves data transfer efficiency, particularly beneficial for external storage devices. The card maintains optimal performance with mixed-speed devices through intelligent bandwidth allocation.
- Reduced CPU utilization during transfers
- Improved queue depth management
- Optimized for SSD and NVMe devices
Power Management
The dedicated SATA power header ensures stable power delivery to connected devices, preventing performance throttling and connection issues that can occur with power-limited USB ports.
- 4.5W per port maximum output
- Prevents voltage drop under load
- Supports power-hungry peripherals
Deployment / Use Cases
This USB PCIe card serves multiple roles in professional and enthusiast computing environments. For content creators and video editors, it provides high-speed connections for external SSDs and RAID arrays, enabling fast media transfer and editing workflows. IT departments can use it to add modern USB connectivity to older workstations or servers that lack native USB 3.2 ports.
In data-intensive applications, the card supports multiple high-speed storage devices simultaneously without bandwidth contention. System builders can incorporate it into custom workstations where maximum USB performance is required for specialized peripherals like high-resolution scanners, scientific instruments, or audio interfaces.
Physical Profile
The black plug-in card measures 4.30" in length, 4.70" in width, and 0.70" in height (109.22 × 119.38 × 17.78 mm), with a weight of approximately 2.80 oz (79.38 g). Both full-profile and low-profile brackets are included, allowing installation in standard ATX cases as well as compact small-form-factor systems. The low-profile bracket enables deployment in space-constrained environments while maintaining full functionality.
- Width
- 4.70" (119.38 mm)
- Height
- 0.70" (17.78 mm)
- Weight
- 2.80 oz (79.38 g)
- Length
- 4.30" (109.22 mm)
What's in the Box
The package includes all necessary components for immediate installation and operation.
Highlights
- Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports delivering 10Gbps per port
- PCI Express 3.0 x4 host interface with backward compatibility to PCIe 2.0
- ASMedia ASM3142 controller with UASP support for optimized storage performance
- SATA power header provides supplemental power up to 4.5W per USB port
- Includes both full-profile and low-profile brackets for flexible installation
- Broad OS compatibility: Windows 7 through 11, Windows Server 2012 R2 through 2022, macOS 10.13+, Linux 3.5+
- Lifetime warranty with free 24/5 North America-based technical support
- RoHS, REACH, and WEEE environmental compliance certifications
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | StarTech.com |
| Manufacturer Part Number | PEXUSB312A3 |
| Brand Name | StarTech.com |
| Product Name | USB Adapter |
| Packaged Quantity | 1 Each |
| Product Type | USB Adapter |
| Technical Information | |
| Host Interface | PCI Express x4 |
| Media & Performance | |
| UASP Support | Yes |
| Interfaces/Ports | |
| Total Number of USB Ports | 2 |
| Number of USB 3.2 Ports | 2 |
| Number of SATA Ports | 1 |
| Software | |
| Operating System Supported | Windows 7,Windows 8,Windows 8.1,Windows 10,Windows 11,Windows Server 2012 R2,Windows Server 2016,Windows Server 2019,Windows Server 2022,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,Linux 3.5 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Color Family | Black |
| Product Color | Black |
| Form Factor | Plug-in Card |
| Height | 0.70" (17.78 mm) |
| Width | 4.70" (119.38 mm) |
| Length | 4.30" (109.22 mm) |
| Weight (Approximate) | 2.80 oz (79.38 g) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Package Contents | USB Adapter 1x Low-Profile Bracket 1x Quick Start Guide 1x Full-Profile Bracket (Pre-Installed) |
| Platform Supported | PC,Linux,Mac |
| Country of Origin | China |
| 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 | Lifetime |
User Manual
FAQ
What is the maximum data transfer speed per USB port on this card?
Each USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port supports data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps. This represents the theoretical maximum bandwidth under ideal conditions with compatible devices. Actual throughput may vary based on device capabilities, cable quality, and system configuration, but the card provides full USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance when used with appropriate peripherals and drivers.
Which operating systems are supported by this USB PCIe card?
The card supports Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11; Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and 2022; macOS 10.13 High Sierra through 13.0 Ventura; and Linux kernel 3.5 and later. Windows 8 and newer systems typically load drivers automatically, while manual driver installation may be required for Windows 7 and some Linux distributions. The broad compatibility ensures deployment flexibility across diverse computing environments.
Does this card require external power beyond the PCIe slot?
The card includes a SATA power connector that provides supplemental power to the USB ports when motherboard power is insufficient. This feature delivers up to 4.5W (5V at 0.9A) per USB port, ensuring stable operation with power-hungry devices like external hard drives, SSDs, and multi-port hubs. While the card can operate without the SATA power connection for lower-power devices, connecting it is recommended for optimal performance with demanding peripherals.
What is UASP support and how does it benefit performance?
UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) is an advanced transfer protocol that reduces CPU overhead, decreases latency, and improves data transfer efficiency compared to the standard USB BOT (Bulk-Only Transport) protocol. This optimization is particularly beneficial for external storage devices like SSDs and NVMe drives, where it can significantly improve read/write speeds and reduce transfer times. The card's UASP implementation works with compatible host systems and devices to maximize USB performance.
Can this card be installed in a low-profile or small-form-factor computer case?
Yes, the package includes both a pre-installed full-profile bracket and a separate low-profile bracket, allowing installation in standard ATX cases as well as compact small-form-factor systems. The low-profile bracket accommodates cases with limited vertical clearance while maintaining full card functionality. The card's dimensions of 4.30" × 4.70" × 0.70" fit most standard and compact cases with available PCIe x4 or larger slots.
What types of devices work best with this USB expansion card?
The card is optimized for high-speed storage devices including external SSDs, NVMe enclosures, RAID arrays, and high-performance thumb drives. It also works well with bandwidth-intensive peripherals like 4K video capture devices, high-resolution scanners, professional audio interfaces, and multi-port hubs. The 10Gbps bandwidth per port ensures these devices can operate at their maximum potential without being limited by interface speed constraints.
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