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    USB Hubs

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Prada, Jul 29, 2008.

  1. Prada

    Prada Notebook Enthusiast

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    When using a USB hub, does it decrease the performance of whatever you're plugging into the hub? What I'm trying to ask is, does it spread out the power of one usb port over however many are plugged into the hub? Does that makes sense? lol
     
    Prada, Jul 29, 2008
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  2. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    It really depends. If you are using all of the usb ports on a laptop, all usb devices are sharing the sme hub, which will hurt performance a bit.
    However, if you are copying files onto a flash drive, and reading files from another, you will not be bottlenecked, cause usb has a upstream and downstream speed.

    On desktops it is a bit different, cause their may be multiple usb hubs, one say in a memory card reader, one on the motherboard, and maybe one on a pci card.

    each usb port is powered off a terminal, so if you are using 500mah of current on one port, you still have 500mah of current available to the next port.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jul 29, 2008
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  3. Prada

    Prada Notebook Enthusiast

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    So will using a usb keyboard and a usb mouse at the same time be quite laggy? What about having an ipod plugged in, listening to music through it while using a mouse/keyboard at the same time?
     
    Prada, Jul 29, 2008
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  4. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    it should not be very laggy at all. The ipod will only take a very small part of the usb's bandwidth to play music and charge. The same with a mouse and keyboard. The most power usage is from the mouse, since most laser mouse's actually need a good amount of usb's bandwidth, if the mouse can do like 2000dpi or more.
    You should not experience any lag at all, the usb hub is quite fast, and almost all usb devices cannot use all of its speed other than some usb flash drives.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jul 29, 2008
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  5. Crimson Roses

    Crimson Roses Notebook Evangelist

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    I doubt you'd notice, unless you're a hardcore gamer. ;) :D
     
    Crimson Roses, Jul 30, 2008
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  6. bulik

    bulik Notebook Consultant

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    i suggest you buy a self powered usb hub for your peripherals. this will lessen the load on your motherboard power supply. had a bad experience when i keep my high powered equipment plugged in directly in my notebook usb port. killed my mobo.
     
    bulik, Jul 30, 2008
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  7. Prada

    Prada Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any suggestions? That sounds like a good idea to me, I'd just like to make sure the ports will be just as fast, if not faster than the laptop ports.
     
    Prada, Jul 30, 2008
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  8. Prada

    Prada Notebook Enthusiast

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    Anyone have any advice?
     
    Prada, Aug 1, 2008
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  9. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Look at the Belkin/Logitech hubs.

    I use a Logitech hub to power most of my stuff. (cooler/keyboard/mouse/hd). It comes with an AC adapter which you can choose to use (if you need more power)

    I did a HDtune test on my external HD and its the same speed as if it was plugged directly to my NB.
     
    flipfire, Aug 1, 2008
    #9