Install an inexpensive USB-C PCI-E card in a Mac Pro for full USB 3.1 data transfer speeds...
An inexpensive card available from Amazon allows users of Apple's Mac Pro tower with PCI-E slots to get some of the benefits of the new USB-C connector -- and faster USB 3.1 speeds. AppleInsider tells you what you need.
For a long time, adventurous Mac Pro users have been fiddling with third-party hardware to extend the life of the systems. For some older gear, the tinkering has mostly come to an end, but properly outfitted, the last two models of the Mac Pro tower can still be competitive with the "6,1" Coke-can 2013 Mac Pro.
The key for some of these adventures sometimes relies on third-party drivers, like for PCI-e graphics cards from Nvidia. However, from time to time, there are solutions that just drop in, and nothing is needed from a software perspective.
Despite not advertising macOS compatibility, Aukey has a macOS 10.11 and 10.12-compatible USB 3.1 Type C card, that AppleInsider has been testing. The Aukey B01AAETL6Y PCI Express card with 2 USB 3.1 Type-C ports does work on the 3,1, 4,1 and 5,1 Mac Pro, and can deliver a full 10 gigabits per second transfer speed from each port.
Considering the USB native to the Mac Pro tower is USB 2.0, the much faster speed is welcome.
The card worked driver-free in the 4,1 and 5,1, but was slightly problematic in the 3,1 under El Capitan with periodic disconnects of input devices -- but no problems with mass storage. But, why would you want to hook up a keyboard or mouse to USB-C anyway with other ports available?
We haven't delved into the maximum power the card can deliver, but an assortment of USB-C hubs and peripherals needing power from USB worked fine.
The Aukey USB-C card isn't compatible with alternate modes, so if you want to hook up a monitor, just get a PCI-E card to do so. Additionally, Aukey could change the chipset on the card at any time in future manufacturing runs -- so if this is something you need for your Mac Pro, you probably should get it now!
The Aukey B01AAETL6Y PCI Express card with 2 USB 3.1 Type-C ports retails for $30, but can be found on sale for $16 frequently at Amazon.
For a long time, adventurous Mac Pro users have been fiddling with third-party hardware to extend the life of the systems. For some older gear, the tinkering has mostly come to an end, but properly outfitted, the last two models of the Mac Pro tower can still be competitive with the "6,1" Coke-can 2013 Mac Pro.
The key for some of these adventures sometimes relies on third-party drivers, like for PCI-e graphics cards from Nvidia. However, from time to time, there are solutions that just drop in, and nothing is needed from a software perspective.
Despite not advertising macOS compatibility, Aukey has a macOS 10.11 and 10.12-compatible USB 3.1 Type C card, that AppleInsider has been testing. The Aukey B01AAETL6Y PCI Express card with 2 USB 3.1 Type-C ports does work on the 3,1, 4,1 and 5,1 Mac Pro, and can deliver a full 10 gigabits per second transfer speed from each port.
Considering the USB native to the Mac Pro tower is USB 2.0, the much faster speed is welcome.
The card worked driver-free in the 4,1 and 5,1, but was slightly problematic in the 3,1 under El Capitan with periodic disconnects of input devices -- but no problems with mass storage. But, why would you want to hook up a keyboard or mouse to USB-C anyway with other ports available?
Caveat emptor
The card must be powered to completely meet the USB-C specification, and for most of us, the best way is to use to the power leads in the 5.25-inch optical drive bay. Failure to do so prevents the card from functioning. The power extension is child's play, though, especially if you're used to Mac Pro tinkering.We haven't delved into the maximum power the card can deliver, but an assortment of USB-C hubs and peripherals needing power from USB worked fine.
The Aukey USB-C card isn't compatible with alternate modes, so if you want to hook up a monitor, just get a PCI-E card to do so. Additionally, Aukey could change the chipset on the card at any time in future manufacturing runs -- so if this is something you need for your Mac Pro, you probably should get it now!
The Aukey B01AAETL6Y PCI Express card with 2 USB 3.1 Type-C ports retails for $30, but can be found on sale for $16 frequently at Amazon.
Comments
"does work on the 3,1, 4,1 and 5,1 Mac Pro, and can deliver a full 10 gigabits per second transfer speed from each port."
Mike Wuerthele, I'd like proof of this. Most of what has been written about the ASM1142 based cards is that they do work in Sierra but only at 5Gbps. You've categorically stated that each port works at 10Gbps but I somewhat doubt that. Please prove me wrong.
Can you provide simple steps to install beyond stating it needs power from the optical disk power?
I have use the sierra patch to install OS X 10.12 on my 3,1. Show the card therefore act like your comments for 4,1 and 5,1?
As for why we need USB-C, for old macs, it will be the way that more and more devices come standard, having a card that only costs $16 is a good way to prepare.
"Simple install steps" - not sure what you're looking for, here. You need to run a power extension cable from the optical bay to the card's power lead. If you're looking for more info, let me know.
We tested the 3,1 on El Capitan. There are hardware differences between the 3,1 and the 4,1/5,1 and I'm not going to update my 3,1 to Sierra. I presume that the card will act the same on a 3,1 running Sierra with the patch as it did on the El Capitan here, including the input device periodic dropouts.
I'm going to give it a shot!
The spare optical bay connector is SATA.
What extension cable did you use for that power connection with the male Molex connector on the card?
Can you tell us where you purchased it and at what length?
From what I've seen the connection is male SATA to Molex female.
There's a lot of interest over at the Mac Pro upgrade group on Facebook.
Thank you.
The issue isn't so much the card end, as it is the power end. Since the optical drive bay on the 4,1 and 5,1 is a SATA backplane-type connection, I used a SATA power spitter I had on hand compatible with the backplane connector, and a regular SATA power extension cable from it.
I'm not at my desk at the moment, but IIRC this is the exact splitter I used for the lower half of the optical bay, which should also work on a 3.5-inch bay on the pro if you have any free.
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/CBLSATAPWRY/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_campaign=googlebase&gclid=CjwKEAiAtefDBRDTnbDnvM735xISJABlvGOv6eg-1Ol1reHPRIdJaxknI3ZDtAUl7jhAHpzmwIuI1BoCPJfw_wcB
The sizing is a little fussy, but not terribly so.
And any old 10-inch or so SATA power connector extender should do after the splitter, depending on how you want to route the cable.
Also, while fiddling I discovered that if your motherboard 6-pin PCI-E power plug is open, then you can use the adapters that convert from that to SATA power. They're about $2 at Newegg. Most of us are using an upgraded video card, and the slot is likely full, though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6J32TK8411&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-Cables+-+Internal+Power+Cables-_-9SIA6J32TK8411&gclid=CjwKEAiAtefDBRDTnbDnvM735xISJABlvGOvjvK5nlEQxeUPPl9UeTdIqq1v2mcRlcnqk1QBSvyasxoCGpHw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
This is one of the reasons I didn't detail this -- there's about a thousand ways to get from A to B with power, here, and if you're upgrading a 3,1 to 5,1, then you by definition have to be a little crazy/creative.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010PNUALA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Since I will use it with these Plugable docks I don't care about the USB Type-A connecters as the dock comes with both cables.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E80N2E8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
USB 3.1 is contained within Thunderbolt 3, but Thunderbolt 3 is not contained within USB 3.1.