USB Expansion Options

[kissTheSky]

I’m just about to hit the USB port limit of my computer and was wondering what everyone’s doing for expansion options.

 

Right now I have four controllers plugged in, but in the near future I may have to go up to six. I’m inclined to get a PCIe internal board, just because it keeps an already chaotic cable spaghetti that is the back of my computer, but what is everyone using?

 

- Internal pcie board?

- external expansion hub?

- external powered expansion hub?

 

Thanks!

[AndyJWest]

A powered hub works fine for me, with four controllers plugged in. I don't think they use a lot of bandwidth, so it shouldn't really be an issue. An internal PCIe board would probably be advisable if you wanted to plug in external USB hard drives or similar, but it seems like overkill otherwise.

[dburne]

I use two powered external USB 3 Hubs, with individual on/off switches for each port.

[Dakpilot]

There are a lot of very cheap (and not so cheap) powered USB hubs knocking around, from experience you very Much get what you pay for, recommend going for a brand with some market representation and reputation. 

 

Cheers, Dakpilot 

 

[cardboard_killer]

11 hours ago, kissTheSky said:

- Internal pcie board?

- external expansion hub?

- external powered expansion hub?

 

I have two external, non-powered hubs that connect my keyboard and mouse (that hub attaches to a monitor which keeps those cords away from my computer), my throttle, my earphones/mic, and an older USB 2 powered HDD that I use for document/music backup. Both hubs are USB 2. I connect my pedals and joystick directly to motherboard USB ports, while I also have a USB 3 powered HDD attached from which I run IL2 1946 and ROF.

[kissTheSky]

Were there issues with powered USB ports and game controllers at some point? 
 

I remember reading something like that a while ago, but can’t remember if it was a windows issue or specific game(s) issues or both. 
 

thanks for all the responses. 

[cardboard_killer]

Just now, kissTheSky said:

Were there issues with powered USB ports and game controllers at some point? 
 

I remember reading something like that a while ago, but can’t remember if it was a windows issue or specific game(s) issues or both. 

 

Windows power saving can turn off USB ports not in use. You can override those settings though in the Power Management panel. Otherwise, I've had not problems with unpowered hubs but I keep stick and pedals attached directly to MB just in case.

[kissTheSky]

4 minutes ago, cardboard_killer said:

 

Windows power saving can turn off USB ports not in use. You can override those settings though in the Power Management panel. Otherwise, I've had not problems with unpowered hubs but I keep stick and pedals attached directly to MB just in case.

Thanks.

 

I think I might be ok ifI use one of the USB ports for a non powered hub, I might be ok plugging all controllers (throttle, stick, rudders, wheel, shifter, pedals) to the remaining MB ports. 

[SakerVVS]

As others said you get what you pay for, so as an owner of 3 cheap powered hubs and one ~$70one I recommend spending some time here and paying a bit extra to only have to buy one. I have a Sabrent and can recommend it although I only have 4 devices plugged into it.

[ciderworm]

One USB 2 powered hub, everything (JS, Pedals, 2xMFD, Throttle, LeoBodnar controller etc) except TrackIR camera is plugged into this. The TrackIR is plugged directly into PC. 

 

Concur with Saker, don't buy a cheap hub if you decide to go down this route.

[kissTheSky]

Off topic, but @ciderworm, what do you use your Bodnar board for? I have one too, but it’s to upgrade my 16 year old Frex GP pedals to load cell and Hall effects sensors. 

[cardboard_killer]

Before you even get there, don't buy a cheap MoBo, or cheap PS.

[ciderworm]

GVL224 built me a panel with levers and buttons for rads/cowls but without a controller. I added a 3d printed trim box with encoders etc and wired it up to a LeoBodnar controller.

[kissTheSky]

1 minute ago, cardboard_killer said:

Before you even get there, don't buy a cheap MoBo, or cheap PS.

Well, the MB is not that bad, it does have 2usb-c, 1 usb 3.0, and 6 usb 2.0 ports. It’s just that I have a lot of controllers to plug in that’s all. 

2 minutes ago, ciderworm said:

GVL224 built me a panel with levers and buttons for rads/cowls but without a controller. I added a 3d printed trim box with encoders etc and wired it up to a LeoBodnar controller.

Nice ??