Question USB 3.0 PCIe card ?

[pirate_tat87]

Hello,
I currently have an MSI MPG-Z490 Edge Gaming WiFi Motherboard to which I want to add a
4-port USB 3.0 PCIe card.

Other than it being PCIe, are there any other specifications that I need to be on the lookout for?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Other than it being PCIe, are there any other specifications that I need to be on the lookout for?

PCIE x1 USB card would work in any onboard PCIE slots.
PCIE x2 or x4 USB card would work in PCIE x16 slot (x4 mode).

 

[pirate_tat87]

Thank you very much!

 

[Paperdoc]

I'm thinking alternatives. How many USB 3.2 ports do you need to add?

Your mobo already has on its own rear panel:
2 x USB 2 ports Type A
4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (5 Gb/s)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A (10 Gb/s)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type C (20 Gb/s)
You may also have one USB 3.2 Gen 1 socket on your front panel connected by an odd cable to a single mobo header called JUSB4 at board front middle edge IF you have the right cable. Otherwise this MIGHT be using a different mobo header called JUSB3 in the same mobo area. That header actually contains TWO USB 3.2 Gen1 ports.

IF that JUSB3 header is NOT in use already, you can get a simple device to expose on your back panel two more USB3.2 Gen1 ports. It is a plate that fits into an empty PCIe slot to offer two Type C sockets, and a cable to plug into that JUSB3 header, like this

https://www.amazon.com/RIITOP-Female-Connector-Adapter-Bracket/dp/B01KJPUI5W/ref=sr_1_2?crid=CO8XNV32XI21&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qbKRkYyFSclyt-m8Az9pmBmVtllRNeMJA9DOzAmroWgSdA73TNq5NBzps9FIGMqvMnIlwL7is7OxQH7rDGvo1Wm2mbBz7_HiG_tuU4S08cFVNjKuA4LFDI9LkN1ITP7MvaFUd0ELy3g8wP6REeHGWgaKqFE2l1tWSbP0zuGTSvqmTxXuDZ9i16KlfaCzthdDPCbIXbLiAqb1_NM143BYG9aLGUPNLQiV8wMn0DAB0jI.EaSo8oGqWpyqGsCVqa8D13Iz8_XArWQq3seUVefq7Qk&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb3.2+rear+panel&qid=1730565220&sprefix=usb3.2+rear+panel,aps,98&sr=8-2&th=1

If you do need or want a PCIe card for this, I suggest you get one able to support USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gb/s max data rate) and offers only Type C sockets. These are potentially faster than Gen 1, and you already have four or five rear panel Type A sockets for Gen1. The "catch" for what you have is that a Gen2 socket and port really should be used only with cables and connectors of Type C, and your board does NOT provide that! The USB people say that using Type A connections with a Gen2 port will work, but may deliver only the slower 5 Gb/s data rate. To be sure to get full 10 Gb/s performance on a Gen2 connection requires Type C cables and connectors.