Do I need a USB splitter - if so which is best to get?

malccy · 8 Nov 2020 at 08:53

Hi

am not sure what my best route is to do this and wonder what others do.

I have a motherboard with just a single usb 2.0 and a single usb 3 on the motherboard; have the nzxt controller plugged into the usb 2 which deals with the lights and the cases' front usb header plugged into the motherboards' 3.0.

I'd like to get an aio but know 99% of them use a motherboard usb header so how do others overcome this problem - Buy a splitter? Buy a splitter box like the nzxt one? Use the usb 3.0 somehow?

I presently use nzxt cam (have h500i case) and also Icue for my Corsair memory and keyboard.

The nzxt splitter box that uses a molex to power it worries me as have heard a few horror stories concerning it.

Would really appreciate some guidance on this one please.

Thanks

mickyflinn · 8 Nov 2020 at 11:03

If you don't want to use a splitter or hub then try a usb pcie card make sure it has internal connection.

malccy · 8 Nov 2020 at 11:30

mickyflinn said:
If you don't want to use a splitter or hub then try a usb pcie card make sure it has internal connection.

Which do you use? I thought this would be a common problem with more people using aio's and control boxes.

Quartz · 8 Nov 2020 at 11:36

malccy said:
Buy a splitter?

I think you're looking for an internal USB hub

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Kolink Internal USB Hub - 60cm USB Cable= £9.95

Total: £14.61 (includes shipping: £4.66)

malccy · 8 Nov 2020 at 12:05

Thanks, i've seen a few of these about but wonder how well they work - as they are sharing one port/connection so to speak can you trust these for aio and control boxes together?

Quartz · 8 Nov 2020 at 12:27

malccy said:
Thanks, i've seen a few of these about but wonder how well they work - as they are sharing one port/connection so to speak can you trust these for aio and control boxes together?

I don't have one of them specifically but it's just a USB hub like any other.

mickyflinn · 8 Nov 2020 at 12:35

malccy said:
Thanks, i've seen a few of these about but wonder how well they work - as they are sharing one port/connection so to speak can you trust these for aio and control boxes together?

Try it and see if your worried about fires then get a pcie card like I sugested.

The link will explain.

The easy solution to the problem is to buy an inexpensive USB hub. The USB standard supports up to 127 devices

https://computer.howstuffworks.com/usb.htm

malccy · 8 Nov 2020 at 12:44

I'm not so much worried about fires though as say have read some horror stories concerning the nzxt splitter box; i'm more worried that the usb device such as an aio connected to a splitter wont be initiated until Windows starts rather than when pc is powered on. I still often get the Windows 'initiating usb device sound' when Windows starts I believe for my mouse or keyboard.

Quartz · 8 Nov 2020 at 12:49

malccy said:
i'm more worried that the usb device such as an aio connected to a splitter wont be initiated until Windows starts rather than when pc is powered on

Don't be worried. I have my keyboard attached to my PC through a hub which is linked to the PC by a 5m cable and I can get into the BIOS.

malccy · 8 Nov 2020 at 13:53

Thanks everyone for help.

Anyone using a splitter in their case for an aio?