KT7A RAID - Voltage of PCI Slots for USB 2.0

[ZzyzxFromOR]

Hi,

I've got a KT7A-RAID that I want to install a PCI/USB 2.0 card in, the case (CoolerMaster Centurion 590) has two USB connections on the front I want to use.

I've found out that there are two voltage types that I need to look out for; 3.3 and 5 volts.

Anyone here happen know exactly which voltage card I need? And if you have any suggestions concerning brand/model that you've used successfully on this motherboard.

Thanks,
Skip

[shadow]

Re: KT7A RAID - Voltage of PCI Slots for USB 2.0

I have never known USB to have two voltage types. I always thought it was 5V on desktop PC's at least.

My suggestion with PCI USB adapters is to avoid the very cheapest ones. I bought a RITMO branded one and it failed miserably in my system. The USB adapter was recognized and the devices as well, however they were completely unusable. Windows would just do nothing when I tried to access my USB key (and hang). It didn't matter what drivers I used or which PC I put the card in. It just didn't work properly.

Having said this, I returned the RITMO and got another no-name PCI USB adapter. However I checked out how well it was built. The RITMO was missing a shit load of little passive devices (capacitor and resisitor spaces were etched into the PCB but nothing was put into the VIA's). The new one had a fully populated PCB and it worked perfectly without a hitch.

[gg1978]

Re: KT7A RAID - Voltage of PCI Slots for USB 2.0

The Voltage on the slot is not the voltage supplied to the card, but the signalling voltage used for the actual PCI data/address/etc.. The ones on a KT7A should be 5V.. IIRC, if the key is to the front of the board, it's 5V, to the back , is 3.3V.. 66MHz PCI signalling requires 3.3V, hence slots of that type are usually only found on workstation/server class boards..


Most cards nowadays are PCI universal cards, which means they have two slots cut into their connector, and they'll fit into either a 3.3V or 5V signalling slot with no issues..