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USB-C in a cMP 5,1

I am surprised it hasn't been covered here, but maybe it was....
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/usb-3-x-pcie-cards-for-classic-mac-pro.1501482/

I went with the cheaper USB-C 3.1 card described on the first page of that thread. I saw that article, but then I hadn't found any follow-up information about anyone who has actually tested the card, let alone measure it. Given the cost of the card, it will probably be either USB 3.0 running on a USB-C connector or USB-3.1v1 stuck at 5GB/s speeds. Considering CalDigit is just now trying to get their card consistently to the 10 GB/s speeds of USB 3.1v2 I am extremely surprised they make the claim this thing runs at full 10 GB/s.

The price is right, but let's say I am skeptical.
 
giovannylago said:
Just came across this article today: http://appleinsider.com/articles/17...-mac-pro-for-full-usb-31-data-transfer-speeds

Can anyone confirm how accurate this is? Has anyone had any real world success/failure using it?

It's interesting to me that they couldn't make a thunderbolt PCIE card because of bandwidth issues, but there's supposedly a compatible USB 3.1 card.
Click to expand...

The lanes ARE NOT THE ISSUE - slot 1 and 2 provide enough lanes for 2 TB2 or 1TB3 @ 90% each. Easily.

TB is not just PCIe, it needs an Intel controller which is not available as standalone chipset on a card outside of RDKs for alpine ridge and the ASMedia things.

USB is USB and regardless of 1.1 to 3.1 gen 2 runs anywhere.
 
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giovannylago said:
Just came across this article today: http://appleinsider.com/articles/17...-mac-pro-for-full-usb-31-data-transfer-speeds

Can anyone confirm how accurate this is? Has anyone had any real world success/failure using it?

It's interesting to me that they couldn't make a thunderbolt PCIE card because of bandwidth issues, but there's supposedly a compatible USB 3.1 card.
Click to expand...

I'm very skeptical that an ASM1142 chip card can do 10GB/s. I'm guessing that AppleInsider is just quoting the advertised spec and hasn't actually achieved that speed.

The best USB3.1 Mac tests I've seen are from @Slash-2CPU in this thread.
 
usna92 said:
CalDigit is just now trying to get their card consistently to the 10 GB/s speeds of USB 3.1v2
Click to expand...

I have very recently installed the CalDigit card into my 4,1->5,1 cMP and am curious about the USB-C port. Have you done (or has anyone reported doing) a successful update of the CalDigit firmware that's supposed to allow 10Gbps?

And if so, what's the real world result given that the CalDigit card is x2, which in the cMP would cap it at a (theoretical) 1.0 GB/s instead of 1.25 GB/s?
 
I was just looking at the CalDigit card the other day and was wondering if anyone has any real world results for it. Has anyone actually tried to benchmark it? I can't seem to find any on this forum or the interwebs.
 
I ordered the Aukey card to see how it works, Also curios if it will give the same Bluetooth issues that the 3.0 usb-A cards are causing.
 
natjonesart said:
I ordered the Aukey card to see how it works, Also curios if it will give the same Bluetooth issues that the 3.0 usb-A cards are causing.
Click to expand...
I have been using this card in my 5,1. No trouble on Sierra. I mainly have used it with an Android phone so far. BootCamp crashed on boot. I had to reboot several times in safe mode to get it to come up, then rebooted with minimum services to install the driver I downloaded from Asus. That fixed it. looks like the Win 10 build in driver is buggy. Windows 7 does not have a driver, so it was easy to boot and install the third party driver.
 
ActionableMango said:
I posted a link to USB 3.1 testing right above your posts. There is Caldigit discussion there.
Click to expand...

I appreciate you pointing that out. Some helpful info there, especially since I was considering getting one of the StarTech self-powered docks.

If I'm understanding correctly, it sounds like 10gbps is achievable as long as one is using a self-powered dock with a high quality cable and Sierra. Under those conditions, one could probably also use an SSD in the self-powered dock to enjoy the full 500+ MB/s.

Sound about right?
 
ActionableMango said:
I thought the best he did under Sierra was 5gbps, but I don't really remember. If it is not clear in the thread, it would be best to ask the person who did the testing.
Click to expand...

Yes I saw that too, but check out zoomfinder's results in post #215. He was getting 5Gbps before the firmware update and 10Gbps after. Slash also noted (in so many words) after that post that the speeds zoomfinder got were consistent with 10Gbps.
 
My Aukey card arrived and is installed. First note, my Bluetooth is absolutely unusable, was fine before install. I had to plug in a usb mouse and keyboard just to log in. It is functioning connected to a powered 3.0 hub that has a WD My Book Drive attached. Speed Test shows around 99 MB/s read and write. I guess it's time to look into my bluetooth options.
[doublepost=1487632504][/doublepost]Would an upgrade to the AC Wifi/bluetooth 4.0 card help in this situation?
 
Not sure if this will help, but I always disconnect internal Bluetooth in my MPs and use a BT Dongle placed in close physical proximity to my mouse. I use a wired Apple keyboard with USB ports, so this is easy for me. You could plug a dongle into a USB port on a monitor if one is available. Or put a USB hub on your desk.

Here's how to disconnect internal BT:

http://oliverwolfson.com/apple-mac-pro-bluetooth-issue-solved/

This BT dongle delivers BT 4.0 and is working for me under Sierra:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZT2AXE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
natjonesart said:
My Aukey card arrived and is installed. First note, my Bluetooth is absolutely unusable, was fine before install. I had to plug in a usb mouse and keyboard just to log in. It is functioning connected to a powered 3.0 hub that has a WD My Book Drive attached. Speed Test shows around 99 MB/s read and write. I guess it's time to look into my bluetooth options.
[doublepost=1487632504][/doublepost]Would an upgrade to the AC Wifi/bluetooth 4.0 card help in this situation?
Click to expand...

In many cases it a lack of adequate shielding with respect to the external cable and/or device. Tripplite's USB3 cables appear to be better than most with respect to shielding.
 
natjonesart said:
Would an upgrade to the AC Wifi/bluetooth 4.0 card help in this situation?
Click to expand...

No. This is a known issue not just with third party add-in cards, but even completely stock configurations like the Mac Mini.

The problem is that high speed communication over USB 3.0 causes interference in the 2.4GHz band, which is what BT uses, as well as most Wi-Fi. The Mac Pro is particularly prone to this issue because it's BT is already notoriously weak and short range. So add some interference on top of that, and its doomed.

If you are very seriously interested in the topic, Intel did a white paper describing the problem and solutions.

To summarize the white paper, the interference radiates from the connectors on the cables at both ends (both the card and the device). The interference is received at the BT module itself, not the BT antenna nor the BT device. Therefore, shielding either the BT module or both cable ends will stop the interference. For the Mac Mini, OWC sells a shielding device specifically to shroud the BT module. I am not aware of anything for the Mac Pro. You might be able to find higher quality shielded USB cables. You can do what Intel did and wrap the ends in metal foil. You could cover your BT module with foil--there is non-conductive metal foil tape specifically for this purpose (blocking EMI without causing electrical shorts).

Considering the terrible affect it has on BT and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi communication, I don't know how USB 3.0 was ever certified.
 
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