Adding USB hub to new PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter spantini
  • Start date Start date
spantini

spantini

COO of me, inc.
My new PC has four USB-A 3.2 ports and one C port (not using). I'll be plugging my printer and interface directly into the rear ports, and alternately, my SSD/phone (hotspot) into the front port. I'll need at least one more to add both keyboard and mouse. I'm looking at adding an unpowered USB hub with four USB-C ports. The hub will go into the third rear port with keyboard & mouse into two of the hub's ports. That'll leave two for future use. From what I've read, I shouldn't need a powered hub.

Anyone want to throw in some advice/cautions/additional whatever?
 
I personally would be plugging my Mouse/Keyboard directly into the USB ports that you have your Printer/Interface in, then put those items in the USB Hub. You probably don't need a powered Hub if the things you're plugging in have their own Power (Printer/Interface), but if you ever use External USB Hard Drives that don't have their own Power... you might want a Powered USB Hub.
 
spantini said:
My new PC has four USB-A 3.2 ports and one C port (not using). I'll be plugging my printer and interface directly into the rear ports, and alternately, my SSD/phone (hotspot) into the front port. I'll need at least one more to add both keyboard and mouse. I'm looking at adding an unpowered USB hub with four USB-C ports. The hub will go into the third rear port with keyboard & mouse into two of the hub's ports. That'll leave two for future use. From what I've read, I shouldn't need a powered hub.

Anyone want to throw in some advice/cautions/additional whatever?
Click to expand...
Powered USB Hubs avoids any hiccups that may occur - then it doesn’t matter what you plug in or where..
 
Your approach seems sound to me.
Interface direct to motherboard ports is good. It shouldn't matter but no harm being safe.

Doesn't sound like any of the rest should need power so I agree with Ujn.
Unless you plan to use external drives or other devices that you know need power, a passve hub should be fine.
 
Plug your keyboard and mouse into the usb hub, as they are low power items.
I went for a powered hub.
 
I couldn't resist. New PC, etc. . . playin' with it.

USB Hub Addition.webp
 
I had a strange experience of erratic mouse control (for months and months!), where I would move the mouse and the pointer simply would move, or it would disappear, or do other very frustrating things. This was while trying to do editing and other tasks while in the DAW. This wouldn't always be the case, but it would happen at the least opportune moments. I finally solved the problem by moving the mouse dongle to a port that separated it from the keyboard dongle by one USB space. The keyboard dongle is now on the 3.0 hub, and I don't experience the problem any more.
 
I've had the best experience with powered hubs, but then again I do have external USB drives hooked to it but never an issue.
 
spantini said:
I couldn't resist. New PC, etc. . . playin' with it.

View attachment 143846
Click to expand...
Spantini, you say "USB C not used" why? A hub such as this https://www.amazon.co.uk/HRSDEIE-Tr...sc=1&msclkid=49c00b4466571b25c8266da14fc90bfb
Would deliver easily enough power and probably be faster.

But re hubs in general? I have found almost everything works with them EXCEPT an audio interface! That was however until I got my MOTU M4 which does not seem to mind an unpowered hub. That might of course depend on specific cases and how the available current is shared out.

The extra 400mA of USB 3.0 over 2.0 seems to help a lot. BTW I have one of those "Dragon" USB voltage and current meters. Very useful for diagnosing power problems.

Dave.
 
I run a Microsoft Surface Pro 9 for everything. The MS dock has 4 USB-A, 2 HDMI, and ethernet, and it is powered. Off that I have a 4 port unpowered hub which has my Zoom L-12 mixer/interface and Kemper, along with a fan.
My keyboard is the stock one that attaches to the bottom of the Surface, and the mouse is bluetooth.
I think your plan will be fine.
 
I've had success with Raymond's solution above - an unpowered 4 socket hub for the mouse, keyboard and the printer. This has been solid in an old mac that has limited current at the USB sockets.
 
I will say, USB interface direct, everything else, what works for you. I like a power hub just to make sure there is a enough juice flowing. I do agree with Dave, USB-C hub has damn good throughput, but It is also good for intense data needs. Even if it isn't being used yet, I would keep it open for future use. cause you only get one. By the way, USB-C is good for docking stations. (I was trying to figure out an application) since newer docking stations don't have their own connections to the computer.

I haven't researched exhaustively, but that is what I have encountered to date.
 
This subject has recently become an issue for me...
My Mac M2pro has 2 usb-A ports and 4 thunderbolt-4 ports.
I'm currently shopping for a 1tb external drive compatible with thunderbolt-4, and a thunderbolt to usb-A hub that will supply power to a usb powered keyboard controller and interface.

Does anyone else here have experience with TB4?
Internet searching is driving me insane!
 
I have no Thunderbolt.

[EDIT 9.22.24 11:17 AM] I did discover a TB4 port on the rear of my new PC.
 
Last edited:
spantini said:
I have no Thunderbolt.

[EDIT 9.22.24 11:17 AM] I did discover a TB4 port on the rear of my new PC.
Click to expand...
You should do a little research...
You can split a TB4 port 4 times and it will still be 3X faster than a standard usb port.
 
I did just a little research, only to make sure the TB4 port wouldn't cause any problems with a USB-C SSD connected. Something I hadn't known was TB4 is backward compatible with all the USBs, just that the TB4 will only work as fast as the connected device's speed. Cool stuff.
 
Last edited:
spantini said:
I did just a little research, only to make sure the TB4 port wouldn't cause any problems with a USB-c SSD connected. Something I hadn't known was TB4 is backward compatible with all the USBs, just that the TB4 will only work as fast as the connected device's speed. Cool stuff.
Click to expand...
My Surface Pro 9 has 2 x USB-C with USB 4.0/ Thunderbolt 4 and those ports work for anything I've tried so far.
 
Taking everything into consideration after everyone's replies here, I went ahead with a powered 7-port USB hub. It was priced low enough to make it a "why not?" thing.

I haven't installed it yet because I'm still working out a "no device recognition" thing with my external SSD plugged into a USB or TB4 port - it's intermittent. Once I get the plugged in devices arranged so this is no longer happening, I'll add the hub and see how that works.

[EDIT 9.24.24 1:05 AM] "no device recognition" problem solved.
 
Last edited:
spantini said:
Taking everything into consideration after everyone's replies here, I went ahead with a powered 7-port USB hub. It was priced low enough to make it a "why not?" thing.

I haven't installed it yet because I'm still working out a "no device recognition" thing with my external SSD plugged into a USB or TB4 port - it's intermittent. Once I get the plugged in devices arranged so this is no longer happening, I'll add the hub and see how that works.
Click to expand...

Windows I assume? Check Windows Update for any Driver Updates. I had a USB Drive issue that was solved recently with a Windows Update Driver search.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top