Neavissa,

Currently there isn't a Poweredge server that supports the USB 3.0. That being said there isn't a test process in place for those so we wouldn't be able to provide a suggestion.

Thanks for the reply, but I don't get it?! If I have a pci-e slot, why wouldn't I be able to plug in any pci-e card,, not matter what it is?! I mean, officially my GTX 780 Ti is not supported and it works fine! I am not worried that A pci-e card is not going to work at all, I am simply not sure which power connector the card should have?! I guess I have to open up the BOX and take a look... : )

thanks,

G

Neavissa,

When I say that it isn't that it won't work, we just don't test the different cards for USB 3.0 so we can't say what will and won't work.

Neavissa, When I say that it isn't that it won't work, we just don't test the different cards for USB 3.0 so we can't say what will and won't work.

OK, I got it. Can anyone tell me though, what power connector I can use?! I know nothing about motherboards and their connectors, so even if I take a look inside the box, I might not know what type of power connector I need?! 

thanks,

Georgios

Only some of the newer Dell servers have power cable options for videocards. Most USB 3.0 cards I've seen use floppy drive type power cables or IDE type power cables. A Dell Tower-based server (T-model) might have a spare cable like that (though you may need an extension cable for it as they probably never had in mind to have that cable stretch down to the PCIe cards). If you have a rack server (R-model), I doubt you will be able to find a power source for that card.

Hi,

Thanks for the input. I should have mentioned, that I have the Tower Version and the GPU installation kit. Since I only have one GPU installed, I can use one of the remaining power cables, to power the USB 3.0 PCI-e card! I already checked and you can get cables like this:

What I am not sure about is, if it is even necessary to supply power to the PCI-e card?! Isn't there power coming through the PCI-e connection itself?! Anyhow, I guess I just have to go ahead and try it. Buy a card, plug it in and see what happens!

thanks,

G

UPDATE: I installed my PCI-e card in the top slot. I used the CD-ROM drives SATA connector to power the card. After booting the system, I was able to see the card in the device manager. I forgot what it said, but its the usual message that there is a device but no driver... So after I installed the driver, the card was fully recognized. When plugging in my external USB drive, the light on the drive comes on, signalling that it gets power. However, I cannot see the drive in "my computer"?!

Do I have to enable the card in the BIOS or so?! The reason I am saying this is, that I saw a message ONCE, when booting the system for the first time, with the new card installed. It simply said that there was a different PCI-e configuration detected!?

thanks,

Georgios

Check if the device manager shows the USB drive under "Disk Drives". If so, check under disk management. It may not have a drive letter.

Hi,

I just checked and I only see the PERC H710P controller in there, twice.

thanks,

G

The PERC H710P should be under Raid and SCSI controllers only. Or do you mean that there is something like a "PERC H710P virtual disk" or something like that under Disk Drives?

If the latter, your USB disk isn't showing up at all and it's probably due to either not enough power, or the USB controller isn't fully compatible with this server.

Typically the best results with adding USB cards to Dell computers are gotten from cards that use NEC USB chips (and not VIA USB chips). Card manufacturers don't frequently mention what chipset they actually use, but if you check the drivers, look at the INF files and you might see in the descriptions in there which chipset they use on that card.

This one here is being sold on Dell's website, so it should work?! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158181 Here is the Dell link:

The PERC H710P should be under Raid and SCSI controllers only. Or do you mean that there is something like a "PERC H710P virtual disk" or something like that under Disk Drives?

If the latter, your USB disk isn't showing up at all and it's probably due to either not enough power, or the USB controller isn't fully compatible with this server.

Typically the best results with adding USB cards to Dell computers are gotten from cards that use NEC USB chips (and not VIA USB chips). Card manufacturers don't frequently mention what chipset they actually use, but if you check the drivers, look at the INF files and you might see in the descriptions in there which chipset they use on that card.

Do you mind taking a look and telling me which one you recommend?!

http://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/USB-3.0/Cards/2-Port-USB-3-PCI-Express-Card-with-SATA-Power~PEXUSB3S23

This one here is being sold on Dell's website, so it should work?! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158181

Here is the Dell link:

And there is of course eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Port-USB-3-0-HUB-to-PCI-e-PCI-Express-Card-Adapter-NEC-Chipset-Brandly-New-/330748709591?pt=US_Internal_Port_Expansion_Cards&hash=item4d0228cad7

At this point the biggest question is, if I should use the SATA power from the CD-ROM, or if I should use power from one of the PGU connectors?! Like I said, the cable that goes to the CD-ROM has two or three more connectors to hook up to!

thanks,

G

p.s. Why is it so hard to upload a picture on here?! Anyhow, its not that important... I will try it later again.

Hmmm!? I guess you are correct. Anyhow, I am just going to try it and see what happens. : )

Thanks,

G

OK, I got it. Can anyone tell me though, what power connector I can use?! I know nothing about motherboards and their connectors, so even if I take a look inside the box, I might not know what type of power connector I need?!

As a quick starting point you may want to read All about the various PC power supply cables and connectors which should give you a better idea of what connectors exist inside a PC. The site does not seem to be updated these days but the info is still relevant and usefull. 

WIKI pages are also a good source of basic information. So simply googling "wiki" and "your item of interest" will return a relevant list of pages to pick from. For example googling "wiki usb3" yields this page which highlights that a USB3 connector can accept both USB3 and USB2 cables and provides Vbus & ground. A more relaxed search of "wiki usb" will return this page which highlights within the pinout section that the voltages supplied by a USB2 or USB3 connector are Vbus =+5v and ground.

Speaking of not enough power. I unplugged the SATA 15pin power cable from my CD-ROM and plugged that into the USB 3.0 card?! Shouldn't that be enough power, or do I need to use the power from one of the cables, that powers a GPU?! I believe it is a 6pin something, not sure what it is called?!

Since various voltages are required to power a HDD, you can google to find out more, the HDD may need +12V, +5V or both (and some cases +3.3V is used also). Usually, a 3.5" HDD requires +12V and +5V whereas a 2.5" HDD requires only need +5V !! Where the voltage comes from is less of an issue as long as power needs can be met...

All this means that 3.5" HDD (which require +12V & +5V) can not be connected to a USB2 or USB3 port (since it does not provide +12V) unless the HDD is also separately powered so that the required voltages (and power) is available. Otherwise connecting a 3.5" HDD to USB2/3 will result in the system not seeing the HDD (as it can't fully power up).

Simply put, you must be certain whatever device you use have the voltages it needs and can draw the power it requires to fully operate. I always start from the device (in your case the HDD) and research back towards the system (in your case the HDD voltages/power needs -> USB cable specs -> USB3 HBA power needs -> USB3 power connector & adapter & power source, etc, etc)... It's easy to loose sight of missing voltages or lacking ability to provide the needed power, especially when adapter cables are used...

Dell generally does not blacklist/whitelist devices within server system BIOS as far as i know (but does it on laptops) so if the system boots and sees the card, then all should be OK in most cases...

Good luck...

Skylarking,

Thanks for the info! YES, reading more definitely helps! I got it to work btw.! I am now using a

'StarTech.com 2 Port PCI Express SuperSpeed USB 3.0 card, Part # PEXUSB3S2'

and USB 3.0 works like a charm! I had ZERO issues installing this card!

Thanks,

G