NZXT releases IU01 internal USB expander

Robert Hallock 10 Dec, 2009 at 4:07pm ET Article published in Tech

PC chassis and accessory manufacturer NZXT has today announced the IU01 USB expander which adds internal USB ports for rarely-removed components and additionally enhances the performance and reliability of front panel USB ports.

The IU01 delivers on its goals by connecting the unit directly to the power supply, rather than the weaker current of the motherboard’s USB headers, to ensure that front-facing USB ports have sufficient power. The IU01’s six internal USB ports further frees external ports by internally hosting devices like USB wireless cards and Bluetoth dongles which are rarely removed from the system.

“We strive to make products that provide enthusiasts options for enhanced expansion and control,” said NZXT Chief Designer Johnny Hou. “Motherboards typically feature only two internal USB ports which tend to be occupied by a media card reader and the case’s USB cable. The IU01 provides a total of 8 additional USB ports expanding the users’ multimedia connectivity and ensures peripherals have sufficient power with the direct connection to the PSU.”

The NZXT IU01 is available immediately for $19.99 wherever convenient USB dongles are sold.

Comments

10 Dec 2009 ~ 7:22pm djmeph Man I could have used one of them like 10 years ago.
10 Dec 2009 ~ 7:23pm djmeph I even had a use for one of those standard USB ports. I think it was some kind of internal card reader I had that had a USB cable that came out the back of the case. Terrible idea.
10 Dec 2009 ~ 7:47pm Bernard Droege I was just wondering how this gets mounted in the case. Pressure sensitive adhesive?
10 Dec 2009 ~ 9:06pm Thrax Unspecified, but likely velcro.
10 Dec 2009 ~ 10:34pm photodude or maybe double stick foam tape
10 Dec 2009 ~ 10:51pm lordbean That gadget's actually a half-decent idea, if you ask me. I can think of two immediate uses I'd have for the ports - bluetooth dongle, and permanently-connected flash drive (for ReadyBoost usage).
11 Dec 2009 ~ 3:14am ardichoke I'd say it's definitely a good idea. In fact, I'm surprised no one has thought of this before.
11 Dec 2009 ~ 10:19am drasnor Is there any kind of current limiting to ensure the 500 mA per port spec?

-drasnor
11 Dec 2009 ~ 11:22am propedor The spec says devices do the electric current limiting (by using only the current they say they need).
13 Dec 2009 ~ 11:34pm AlexDeGruven

drasnor wrote:

Is there any kind of current limiting to ensure the 500 mA per port spec?

-drasnor

USB Spec is 500mA, and as previously stated, happens at the device level, IIRC. As long as it can supply at least that much at 5VDC, then it's golden.
14 Dec 2009 ~ 7:17pm Clifford Yes its a great idea. To bad it is sharing bandwidth, which is not so good for Ready Boost. That would be 8 ports sharing 2 ports.

I think I would rather have a PC card that will do the same. I have seen cards with external USB connectors on the inside of the case.
14 Dec 2009 ~ 7:52pm lordbean

Clifford wrote:

Yes its a great idea. To bad it is sharing bandwidth, which is not so good for Ready Boost. That would be 8 ports sharing 2 ports.

I think I would rather have a PC card that will do the same. I have seen cards with external USB connectors on the inside of the case.

This is actually a pretty good point. All 8 USB ports on the NZXT module would be shared through a single system root hub. Not too good for high-bandwidth devices.
16 Dec 2009 ~ 2:31am propedor Using a usb hub such as this one doesn't limit bandwidth. Bandwidth is per host controller, not per host controller port (root hub port).

Maybe the PCI card would achieve better bandwidth though, that's its own host controller.