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.p...e=Bytecc%20Inc

or

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...e=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.ph...7&sku=BTU2410V

http://www.pricecanada.com/detail.ph...25U%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.