Asus releases a SATA 6Gbit / USB 3.0 combo card for $30

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 5:02 pm

Since Nomad was asking about USB 3.0 the other day...

Uses a PCI-E x4 slot:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 5:26 pm

Wow, that's actually a good deal, especially coming with SATA ports. Shame there isn't a darn thing that I have or plan on having any time soon that needs USB 3.0.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 9:37 pm

USB 2.0 = 480Mbit
USB 3.0 = 5Gbit

Of course these are ideal numbers and in the real world you never get ideal speeds, but that's a pretty impressive improvement. Pretty much puts a stake in the heart of Firewire.

And yeah, most industry people are lauding Asus selling this card for so cheap. It's their proprietary design and the same chipset they put on their newest mobos. They could have been greedy bastards and either not released a card at all or charged a premium for it.

RubberDuckie · Post by **RubberDuckie** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:32 pm

Are there any USB3.0 devices or SATA 6 HDDs?

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:23 pm

Yeah I had seen this a while back... but I did however just recently spy my eyes on this little gizmo Buffalo Hub. My next question to myself was "Hmm I wonder if I get the hub and plug it into my desktop I will get USB 3.0 speeds?" lol... no really though USB 3.0 I think is going to be here in the masses sooner than what you had/have been thinking FlyingPenguin...

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:39 pm

A very few SATA 6Gbit - mostly high-end SSD drives.

Video cameras are starting to come out with USB 3.0 in lieu of firewire, and some external HDDs.

I still don't see USB 3.0 going mainstream until next year, but at least a $30 will get you in the game.

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 1:18 am

Probably really won't take off until all the MoBo manufacturers & OEMs use it as standard (year or two). Firewire has been dying a slow death anyhow, especially when Apple pretty much gave up on it (even though they lauded it as the greatest thing on Earth, but what's new). The only real need for USB 3.0 is external drives right now.... well I guess HD cameras could benefit as well. Otherwise, there's nothing that can really use that kind of bandwidth. Not complaining that it's there though.

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:01 am

As if usb memory sticks wernt't expensive enuff... now when 3.0 sticks come out I hate to think how much they will cost. Its allmost cheaper to just buy external HDs then buy 16-32gb sticks.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:48 am

My 16GB USB Drive was only like $30? I thought that was pretty cheap considering it's size and convenience and the lack for need of external power?

eGo

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 10:49 am

Use laptop drives & there's no need for external power.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 7:03 pm

Still a size issue though.. I can fit the USB stick in my pocket

heh

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:22 pm

Heres a drive who's 2.0 brother is only about $80 cheaper....

1TB External 3.0

@Pugsley: I know what you are saying....

I like the idea of laptop drives!

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:35 pm

Oh, don't get me wrong, I love USB drives for their size & reliability. Though I will say that for years, before USB drives were big enough to be useful, I used an external laptop drive & it fit just fine in my pocket (yes, I know it is still much larger, but it worked).

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Fri Feb 19, 2010 8:57 am

I need to borrow a laptop drive and see if it will work with my car stereo. thats what i need a big stick for. A HD would work if it would work.

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Fri Feb 19, 2010 11:03 am

I know it that some stereos support hard drives. Not sure on specific ones though.