• Hi there and welcome to PC Help Forum (PCHF), a more effective way to get the Tech Support you need!
    We have Experts in all areas of Tech, including Malware Removal, Crash Fixing and BSOD's , Microsoft Windows, Computer DIY and PC Hardware, Networking, Gaming, Tablets and iPads, General and Specific Software Support and so much more.

    Why not Click Here To Sign Up and start enjoying great FREE Tech Support.

    This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Solved Is it posssible to convert SATA to USB 3.0?

Status
Not open for further replies.
So I want to add some more USB 3.0 port to my rig, unfortunately I only have one pci-e slot which is currently occupied by my gpu, so I can't just add a usb 3.0 pci-e card, so I was thinking since SATA 3.0 is faster then usb 3.0 is there a cable or something that I can use to convert one of my MANY SATA connections on my mobo to usb 3.0? Or should I just get a different usb 3.0 front panel cable with more usb ports on it? My whole thing is I want it to be neat, and not have a bunch of cables hanging out from my case or having to drill or cut a hole in my case, even though i'm pretty sure I'd have to do that if I added more ports to the front of the case. Or I guess maybe a usb 3.0 hub would work, but if I have a usb 3.0 hub plugged into one usb 3.0 port in the back and I'm connecting multiple things to the hub, isn't that going to impact its performance?
My case is a Phanteks Eclipse Steel ATX Mid Tower case.
 
You say you only have 1 pci-e slot.

That board has 3 pci-e slots so you could easily add a USB3 card.

2019-12-22_101323.jpg
 
Last edited:
Wow, I'm an idiot, I should have probably done some actual research on my board, you are 100% right, but when it comes to the pci-e slots my graphics card (GTX 1660Ti with dual fans), covers up two slot and theres only about 1mm of space in between the last slot and the fans for the gpu, so I don't think thats going to be an option because it would completely cover up the fans. After looking at my mobo I actually have three usb connectors, I don't know if they are all usb3.0 but I only need one more so it should work. So i'm probably just gonna buy another usb 3.0 front panel cable and cut a hole in the top of my case and put it there. Thanks for the help becuase I wouldn't have even looked or known.
 
You motherboard has 1 USB3 connector and 2 USB2 connectors. Looking at your case the USB3 connector would be already used. That leaves only the USB2 connectors available. If you want USB3 it would be best to fit a USB3 pci-e card which you can buy in either a 2 or 4 port. Doing that would allow you to run USB extension cables to your desk.

It is hard to believe your video card would make all 3 PCI-E slots unusable.

Do you consider this solved now?
 
yeah we can consider this closed. Mostly becuase I decided to buy another motherboard, I've been having a problem with two usb 3.0 ports , Whatever I connect to them constantly connects and disconnects. I tried updating the drivers, changing the power settings so they don't get powered off when not in use, and tried changing the settings in power options and its still doing it. I went with a asrock b450 steel legend. It seems to be a better all around board, its ryzen 3rd gen ready, plus its atx instead of matx so I'll have more room on the board and more upgrade options.
One question though, am I going to have to do as clean install of Windows since I'm using a new motherboard, or can I get away with just updating the drivers in Windows once I get the ssd connected. Doing a clean install is such a pain, along with having to reinstall all my programs and redo all the windows settings how I like them.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.