The StarTech.com PEXUSB3S24 is a PCI Express expansion card that adds four USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) ports to your desktop computer. It's a straightforward way to expand connectivity for external drives, peripherals, and other USB devices without replacing your motherboard. The included low-profile bracket ensures compatibility with smaller cases.
Key Features
- Adds 4x USB 3.0 Type-A ports (5 Gbps) via PCIe
- Uses PCI Express 2.0 x4 interface for reliable bandwidth
- Low-profile bracket included for compact builds
- Hot-swap support with per-port overcurrent protection
- Works with Windows, Linux, and macOS (limited)
Compatibility & Setup
This card works in any PCIe x4 or larger slot (x8, x16). It is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0/4.0 slots. The card draws power solely from the PCIe slot, so no extra power cable is needed. For best performance, use it with devices that support USB 3.0. The low-profile design makes it suitable for HTPCs and slim desktops.
Who Is This For?
- Users who need more USB ports on the back of their PC
- Anyone wanting to add high-speed USB 3.0 connectivity for external storage
- Builders looking to utilize an unused PCIe slot
Upgrade Considerations
This card is limited to USB 3.0 (5 Gbps). If you need USB 3.1/3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), consider a newer Gen 2 card. The PCIe 2.0 x4 interface provides roughly 2 GB/s total bandwidth, shared across all four ports; for most real-world usage, this is not a bottleneck.