Motherboards with lots of USB controllers?

Grumbledook · 30 Apr 2014 at 10:57

I was wondering if anyone knew of a resource that listed how many USB controllers you get on motherboards?

I was looking at setting up multiple webcams for a project and you can only really run a maximum of 2 USB 2.0 webcams per controller (unless you drop the res down a lot). I believe this is still the case even if using a USB 3.0 controller. There aren't really any USB 3 webcams available, certainly not at the prices of USB 2 ones.

None of the typical review sites or anywhere listing tech specs (even the manufacture) seems to list how many controllers there are.

It would seem that you typically get 3 controllers on most ATX desktop motherboards. Usually 2x USB2 and a USB3, or 2x USB3 and a USB2 on newer boards.

I'm not sure though if the USB 2 and 3 ports that come as part of intel chipsets count as one or two controllers? Anyone shed some light on this?

Now I can add more via expansion cards, was just wondering if there are any motherboards that have more controllers for future expansion.

longplay · 30 Apr 2014 at 22:06

You could always chuck some PCI-E cards with USB ports in the machine, I assume each would count as a separate controller

ocmanus · 30 Apr 2014 at 23:05

I've not seen a resource for that, but I'm aware that products like GA-Z87X-UD3H have a lot of ports - 6 usb3 on the back 2 usb3 headers and 3 usb2 headers. I read somewhere that the Z87 uses an onboard hub to support that number of ports. I could be wrong though.

Dral · 1 May 2014 at 12:08

I use an Asus Rampage IV Extreme http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-490-AS motherboard with 20 USB ports (8 support USB 3.) I had a look at a couple of other Asus socket 2011 motherboards and both had the same USB configuration.

Is there a specific quantity of USB ports you seek?

Grumbledook · 1 May 2014 at 14:35

It's USB controllers rather than ports that is the question. Didn't really have a number in mind, I presume most ATX boards will have 3 these days, was just wondering if any came with more as standard or if I needed to use expansion cards.

For example on my current mobo the USB3 ports are on one controller, the rear USB2 ports are on another and then the front case ports are on a third controller. This handy little USB Tree View app makes things much easier to see what device is on what and how many ports are on each controller http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtreeview_e.html (in case any one else was curious about their own machine, much easier to use than windows device manager)

I'd imagine there are probably a few more on a mobo with 20 ports but I can't see paying £300 as the most cost effective way to do it!