Overview
The StarTech.com PEXUSB3222 is a PCIe expansion card that adds two USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) ports to your desktop PC. Compared to USB 3.0 (5Gbps) or USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps), this card delivers up to 20Gbps per port, unlocking the full potential of high-speed external SSDs and storage devices.
Key Features
- Two USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports — Each port provides independent 20Gbps bandwidth, minimizing slowdowns when both are in use.
- PCIe 3.0 x4 interface — Ensures sufficient bandwidth to avoid bottlenecks. Works in x8 or x16 slots as well.
- UASP support — USB Attached SCSI Protocol improves transfer efficiency, especially for random access patterns.
- Low-profile compatible — Includes both standard and low-profile brackets for small form factor cases.
- Hot-swap capable — Plug-and-play on Windows and Linux without additional drivers.
Compatibility Guide
- Slot requirement — PCIe x4 or larger (x8, x16). Works in PCIe 2.0 slots but speed is limited to PCIe 2.0 x4 (~2 GB/s).
- Supported OS — Windows 10/11, Linux (kernel built-in). Not supported on macOS due to lack of chipset drivers.
- Power — Powered entirely by the PCIe slot; no auxiliary power needed.
- Form factor — Full-height bracket included; low-profile bracket also provided.
Ideal Use Cases
- Users with high-speed external SSDs — Get full 20Gbps performance from drives like the SanDisk Extreme Pro or Samsung T7 Shield.
- Expanding limited USB ports — Perfect for desktops with few rear USB ports or those needing additional high-speed ports.
- Content creators — Speed up large file transfers and backups.
Notes
- If your motherboard has "Above 4G Decoding" or "Resizable BAR" enabled, you may encounter detection issues. Try disabling them if the card isn't recognized.
- To achieve 20Gbps speeds, use a USB-C to C cable rated for 20Gbps and a compatible device.
- Avoid using this card in a PCIe 2.0 slot if you need maximum throughput; PCIe 3.0 or higher is recommended.