PC Peripherals USB C expansion slots for an older desktop?

TheNawab

TheNawab

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I'm looking for options to add USB C slots to an older PC, whether a front panel or a PCIE expansion at the back.

Use case is to use modern USB C IEMs I daily drive on the PC for attending some Zoom meetings.
 
TheNawab said:
I'm looking for options to add USB C slots to an older PC, whether a front panel or a PCIE expansion at the back.

Use case is to use modern USB C IEMs I daily drive on the PC for attending some Zoom meetings.
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Why not just get a type A to C convertor? Unless you are already using all your other ports, something like this should more than suffice:
 
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Stronk said:
Why not just get a type A to C convertor? Unless you are already using all your other ports, something like this should more than suffice:
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My thought process is to future-proof the build as well, as the build serves as a media and storage hub for all of the family, and we separately have our systems. Why not have some slots to use newer products that are following the new industry standard USB-C bandwagon? In my opinion, a proper expansion would be a more worthwhile investment than an adapter for the overall system.
 
TheNawab said:
My thought process is to future-proof the build as well, as the build serves as a media and storage hub for all of the family, and we separately have our systems. Why not have some slots to use newer products that are following the new industry standard USB-C bandwagon? In my opinion, a proper expansion would be a more worthwhile investment than an adapter for the overall system.
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Bro you want to futureproof an old PC ?
 
ARAV said:
Bro you want to futureproof an old PC ?
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I want to 'futureproof' media access by adding some USB C ports. The PC in case serves as a media and storage hub for all the family members in the house. Doesn't hurt to make it more accessible for using newer USB C flash drives and audio devices I keep purchasing.
 
TheNawab said:
I want to 'futureproof' media access by adding some USB C ports. The PC in case serves as a media and storage hub for all the family members in the house. Doesn't hurt to make it more accessible for using newer USB C flash drives and audio devices I keep purchasing.
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I mean, USB-C is just a port type. Any old USB-A port on your PC, provided it is 3.x will work the same if you convert it like @Stronk suggested. It will be the same bandwidth of 5 gbps.

So provided your current PC has some A type 3.x ports, getting converters is probably the easiest solution. Or maybe you can find a USB-A to USB-C hub with multiple type C ports.

For your use cases like iems, flash drives etc, USB3's 5 gbps will be fine, even shared among multiple devices.

If you need to connect external ssds, then you can think about getting a pcie card that has USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) or USB4, if they're available.
 
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variablevector said:
I mean, USB-C is just a port type. Any old USB-A port on your PC, provided it is 3.x will work the same if you convert it like @Stronk suggested. It will be the same bandwidth of 5 gbps.

So provided your current PC has some A type 3.x ports, getting converters is probably the easiest solution. Or maybe you can find a USB-A to USB-C hub with multiple type C ports.

For your use cases like iems, flash drives etc, USB3's 5 gbps will be fine, even shared among multiple devices.

If you need to connect external ssds, then you can think about getting a pcie card that has USB 3.2 Gen 1 (10 Gbps) or USB4, if they're available.
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That's good to know. I already use a cheap usb hub to expand my usb ports and that's why I was finally going for an expansion slot. I have like 8 devices already connected and filling all the USB 2 & 3 ports which include a drive cloning station, condenser microphone, printer, etc.

Maybe the best case scenario would be to find an expansion slot which has both C and extra normal USB 3.0 A ports. I am skeptical of my jank ass cheap USB hub setup already.
 
TheNawab said:
Found this one, thinking of getting it. Will update how it performs later.

Tobo USB 3.0 PCIe Card, PCI-e to 2Port USB C + 6 Port USB 3.0 Internal Expansion Card 5Gbps
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I saw this (and others with even higher price) but didn't suggest this because for about the same price, if not much more, you can get a more than capable recent gen motherboard with native USB-C ports in the used market. Hence why I suggested going the adapter route. Would be way more cost effective to buy a type-A to C dongle like the one above and route a hub like this one through it. Would cost you less than 1k total and no need to open the computer to install it and worry about PCIe compatibility/drivers.
 
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Stronk said:
I saw this (and others with even higher price) but didn't suggest this because for about the same price, if not much more, you can get a more than capable recent gen motherboard with native USB-C ports in the used market. Hence why I suggested going the adapter route. Would be way more cost effective to buy a type-A to C dongle like the one above and route a hub like this one through it. Would cost you less than 2k total and no need to open the computer to install it and worry about PCIe compatibility/drivers.
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True. To make it worse, I also noticed the expansion card runs at PCIE 2.0 x1, so all the USB3 ports on it will share the same 500 MB/s or 4gbps link. Meaning you can only max out one of the USB3 ports at a time. It's basically a somewhat higher quality USB hub with better power delivery at that point. If OP wants each port to have its own bandwidth, he'd need to go for an even more expensive expansion card with more lanes. At that point, just get a new motherboard with native ports. Or do the adapter+hub solution for a lot cheaper, but sacrificing bandwidth.
 
Stronk said:
I saw this (and others with even higher price) but didn't suggest this because for about the same price, if not much more, you can get a more than capable recent gen motherboard with native USB-C ports in the used market. Hence why I suggested going the adapter route. Would be way more cost effective to buy a type-A to C dongle like the one above and route a hub like this one through it. Would cost you less than 1k total and no need to open the computer to install it and worry about PCIe compatibility/drivers.
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Also correction - total cost would be under 1k, not 2k as I had incorrectly put earlier. Apologies for rhe confusion
 
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