Question USB extension cables or hub?

[Mawla]

The front USB 3.2 Gen1 header on my new motherboard plugs in sideways but there's no room for the plug in the very compact case. So, as a stop-gap measure until I get a new case, I intend to make the rear ports more accessible with extensions.

I often connect more than one USB 3 device at the same time. So I have a choice of using two extension cables or a hub. Logic says that extension cables from two independent rear ports will be more efficient speed and power-wise than sharing the same port through a hub. Is my reasoning correct?

 

[Lutfij]

my new motherboard
What is the make and model of your motherboard?

there's no room for the plug in the very compact case
What is the make and model of your case?

I would look at USB extension cables instead of a hub, unless you have a lot more devices than you have USB ports on your build both front and back, cumulatively.

 

[Mawla]

my new motherboard
What is the make and model of your motherboard?

there's no room for the plug in the very compact case
What is the make and model of your case?

Motherboard: MSI Pro B650M-P
Case: You won't recognize the name. It's a cheap Indian brand - Chiptronex Z810.
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0B5DYV2PQ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
I got it before I selected the motherboard. A microATX board just about fits into it. The motherboard has an edge header for the front USB 3. The gap between it and the compartment wall is barely 1 cm whereas the plug needs at least 4 cm, more to avoid a sharp bend on the wire.

I would look at USB extension cables instead of a hub, unless you have a lot more devices than you have USB ports on your build both front and back, cumulatively.

Thanks for confirming my idea.

 

[Paperdoc]

You are right to make use of two rear ports, assuming both are USB3.2 Gen1, probably Type A. EACH port can handle data up to 5 Gb/s and provide power at 5 VDC up to 0.9 A. Using a Hub would mean both (or more) devices on it would share that data rate. A Hub with no extra power supply module also means that the power of ONE port must be shared. It is POSSIBLE that one or more USB3.2 ports on the rear panel of the mobo actually is a faster Gen2 port - check your manual.

 

[Mawla]

I checked the specs thoroughly before buying the mobo. It has two 3.2 Gen 2 ports. This was one of the reasons I went for it. I have an external NVMe-to-USB adapter rated for 10Gbps and I get up to ~1GB/s on a Gen 2 port.

 

[Paperdoc]

You are getting the best for what you have. Both the Gen2 port and the adapter are rated for 10 Gb/s or 1.0 GB/s max, and that is what you report is being achieved.

An NVMe SSD may be able to move data faster than that IF mounted in an NVMe slot on the mobo. Your uses may never need the extra speed possible from such a configuration. But why did you NOT mount that SSD in one of the two NVMe slots of your mobo? MAYBE you intended to use this particular unit as a portable external drive?

 

[Mawla]

I have a fast NVMe SSD in my first M.2 slot and may add a second drive in the second slot.

The external adapter is for those times when I want to fit an NVMe SSD in it for use as an external drive - like a super fast thumb drive. Or for pre-partitioning a drive for use in another computer. I often use it for such purposes.

I also have a SATA-to-USB adapter. I put it to good use with a retired (but still good) Samsung 830 128GB drive.