M17xR2 USB 3.0?

While pulling my lappy apart to upgrade the processor I notice the I/O board was fully removable and replacable.

Does this mean that there would be a possibility of upgrading that board to support USB 3.0 or would it be way too much of an engineering feat?

-Ash

 

I believe the motherboard needs to be upgraded to be able to use USB 3.0

 

I thought that the R2 was USB 3.0 capable?

 

I'm not sure, but i think Jocker have USB 3.0

 

The M17X R2 comes with the PM55 chipset:

It is not USB 3.0 capable. I am not sure where you get your facts... At best if you do get a USB 3.0 port to work on it, it will run at USB 2.0 speeds.

People please stop mis-informing the users here. Please... STOP.

PM55 Chipset

 

go for expresscard usb 3.0 if you really want usb 3.0 for ur m17x r2.

 

The chipset itself doesn't have a built-in USB 2.0 controller. However, it should be possible to get a separate controller that hooks into the PCI-E bus and provides USB 3.0 ports. You can definitely get ExpressCards that will give you a pair of USB 3.0 ports.

 

Potentially I would like to:

1: Strip down a USB 3.0 expresscard.
2: Find a power source for it from the internals of the M17x R2.
3: Disconnect the traces for the USB 2.0 ports in I/O board.
4: Insert the expresscard with the bulky end removed, and wire it to the USB 2.0 ports on the I/O board.
5: Close up the expresscard port.

That should result in some nice usb 3.0 fun right?

-Ash

 

Really now? Your gonna go through all that trouble for a usb 3 port? what do plan to connect to it? there aren't alot of devices out there for usb 3

 

External 2.5" drives come to mind.

Again, potentially. Seeing as I can probably order a second I/O board I will be able to mess with a second one without losing warranty on the notebook.

While I am at it I would probably replace the esata port with an esatap port and use one of the disconnected USB 2.0 ports for the source.

-Ash

 

thanks for the info guys, so much reading to do hehe. ah well once i get time...

 

never understood this USB 3 obsession.
What are you guys connecting to it ??
I am plenty happy with my USB2 speeds, i'd really like to understand the potential benefits of USB 3.

 

1: More voltage. Lots more voltage. No more anemic LEDs in illuminated keyboards.
2: External drives of any kind at reeeeaaalllly fast speeds and no extra power adaptor requirement.
3: External graphics cards are bound to come out with USB3.0 specification.

-Ash

 

1. naaah
2. Good point if you use this kind of storage, i am a NAS person myself.
3. My guess is that until they come out and usable we all will have a M17x-R4

 

just so i understand this fully, i can stick an SSD into a usb 3 case, but a PCIExpress USB 3 hub and plug the HDD into it and not need an external power source? its a 2.5 inch fyi...

> i guess i could the same with the esata port as well but that needs power correct?
> is there any access time loss using USB 3.0 versus internal HDD ports? it would be great to run HyperV images from an external drive and have it zip along like an internal

i really need fast speeds over 100mb a second so copying hyperV images doesnt take forever...

 

I would suggest to you some things, if by any chance you are talking to me please say my name, so, that way you will act like an grow man, about the information that i gave, i said clearly that i was not sure, i have a lot of spider webs on my head and i read too much things in one day, i barely remember some of that from jocker, again, not sure; another thing is, i am a new user, not an expertise like you probably are pretended to be, there is not reason to raise up your ego, be cool . . . .

 

My post was not directed at you specifically but at all people that recently posted wrong and useless information.

I am not an expert but I would say that most of the time I verify the information I write in my post as I know it affects many people.

I wish members here would be more conscious of that and verify their information.

How hard is it to go on the Intel website to verify what you posted?

It's not ego, it is simply a matter of priorities and especially respect for other forum members.



The only way to get USB 3.0 working at ISB 3.0 speeds right now on the M17X R2 is to get a Express USB 3.0 card.

 

It will be a fault of respect if i say to him yes, it support that !!, but i didn't, there is a big difference . . .

 

ok kids, nuff fighting, go play with your toys!

 

Thats correct.

USB 3.0 has buttloads of power.

-Ash

 

In all of the tests I've read eSata is still faster than USB3.0.

eSATA is faster than USB 3.0 — at least right now

 

That would work nicely, except that the 3.0 connector is subtly different and can provide a 5th pin. Wikipedia has more detail on this.

With the 2.0 connectors you'd still have the ability to get more current, but you may not be able to get the high speed data throughput.

 

Ah dagnabbit.
I guess I would have to solder in new ports too. No biggie.

-Ash

 

Flash memory sticks there are more of them supporting USB 3.0 than ESATA.

Most USB 3 tests to notebooks are using expresscards which are neither capable of full power output under USB 3.0 nor capable of the full speeds.

I want a drive to run at 2-3x USB 2.0 speeds on a single cable powered by that same cable. Combo plug ESATA manages that rarely. USB 3 promises that constantly.

USB 3 will run external speakers as well as laptop coolers with the power it provides. Current USB 2 limits the fan power on laptop coolers significantly. External USB speakers are also very limited due to the lower power output of USB 2.

USB 2 has been around 10 years. It wasn't all that much of a big deal when it came out and now it is everywhere. You can well expect USB 3 to similarly be everywhere in a year or two. Wanting a laptop now that will be compatible with what will be a universal standard in a year or two is not entirely dumb , well unless you simply buy a new notebook every year or two, but most folks can't afford to do that.

$.02

 

Dude, you need to calm down. noone is misinforming anyone here, I simply stated that I thought that the R2 was USB 3.0 capable! I agree that sometimes people misinform people in here but this is a forum where people can share thoughts and opinions nothing more.

Back on topic, I honestly am fine with using USB 2.0 as it does everything I need it to do at this time. I don't know if USB 3.0 is actually needed at this time as it is far ahead of what is currently out, though I may be mistaken.