m17x-R2 USB 3.0 via ExpressCard

Hi All,

I recently bought an ExpressCard USB 3.0 expansion card, primarily to add additional USB ports to my laptop (in place of a hub) and today I purchased a WD SE 1TB USB 3.0 drive.

For anyone who may be interested in doing the same, following is a comparison between two drives. The first is a WD Passport SE USB 2.0 1TB unit and the second is a WD Passport SE USB 3.0 1TB drive.

WD Passport SE 1 TB USB 2.0 CrystalDiskMark Scores



WD Passport SE 1 TB USB 3.0 CrystalDiskMark Scores



Worth the investment!

 

If only we could wire in sata 3 support.

 

was the USB 2.0 Hard Drive tested on the 3.0 expansion card? or are those results on the m17x usb 2.0 port?

 

and btw which expresscard did you end up getting?

 

Yes. Both drives were tested on the ExpressCard.

Prior to purchasing the USB 3.0 HDD, I compared the transfer rate on both the ExpressCard ports and USB 2 ports on the m17x-R2 using a single USB 2.0 drive and found the an increase in numbers running on the ExpressCard.

I purchased the card here:

Express card 54mm To 2 Port USB 3.0 ExpressCard (eBay item 330523588609 end time 25-Feb-11 15:44:54 AEDST) : Computers

I received the card within a week.

 

So you install the express card in your R2? How easy was it? Any pics?

 

All you do is insert it into the express card slot.

 

Thats the same card I'm using and it helps. I just keep it in my system all the time. Here is a link to my numbers.

Also, for anyone interested in this card, here is a link to the most up to date drivers.. I installed them rather than using the outdated ones on the disc. Which you will have to search for since there are lots of drivers on the disk that don't work. Just use the ones at the top of the page.

And if the card seems loose against the USB plug-in, than you can do this. SHould solve the issue, quick and easy.

Here are some pics of the card in the M17x R2.

 

Looks pretty nice, I might get on board with one of those since I'm never going to put anything in my express card slot anyway lol.

 

lol, yup same line of thinking I had. But I just figured I would do it since it helps with my imaging process. At least I think it does lol. Forget how long it took when my system was backed via USB 2.0. BUt with the card, to back up my system which is 130GB used, it takes a little under 30 min. Maybe about 25. Also figured it would be one more thing to close the gap between the good parts of the M17x R3.

 

I have had no issues with mine (other than the usb ports are a bit loose.. so I will have to do the little "mod" you posted a link to).

Now I just need to get a usb3 enclosure for my spare 500gb 2.5"

Oh... I did have a bit of a "freak" moment when I was trying to plug it in..... for some reason it is REALLY stiff getting it into my R2's expresscard slot (but I guess it wont be coming out accidentally)

D.

 

To overcome the whole "Stiffness issue" that you discribed, insert the corner closest to the front right speaker first. Just put it in at a slight angle maybe 45* and that should allow it to go in nice and easy. Once the corner pushes the cover back, just turn it so it's straight and insert it all the way.

Also careful on the mod. If it gets too tight, when you pull out the USB cord, it will pull the card out but you can just put a finger over it while you pull the cord out.

 

thanks for the link to the expresscard. i just purchased one!

can anyone recommend a good usb 3.0 enclosure?

 

Here are the USB 3.0 enclosures newegg sells, and here is the one I got from newegg. The one I got works well, nice and slim. Also it has a standed USB plub on the end rather than the USB 3.0 plug. So I got it in the even I lose the USB 3.0 cord, I can still use the USB male to male type cable.

The one I got, I read a review on it here from tomshardware.

 

So what's up with the power connector on this card? Do you have to connect a usb to power cable to the card for usb 3.0 to work?