Scan 2-Port HPU-300 NC SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCI Express Card Review

A Closer LookLike most PCI-Express USB3.0 cards on the market, the HPU-300 features an NEC D720200F1 controller that supports a maximum of two USB3.0 ports. This may not sound like many but it’s unlikely that many users have more than two USB3.0 peripherals to hook up anyway.

Unlike some more expensive USB3.0 cards on the market, the HPU-300 doesn’t come with a low profile PCI cover alongside the standard one. This won’t be an issue for the majority of systems though, it’s just worth taking onboard in case you have a small form factor system.

The HPU-300 requires a 4-pin power connector to function as it cannot draw all the power it needs from the PCI Express slot. Bear in mind that this isn’t a standard molex connector, it is the smaller 4-pin connector that often resides at the end of the cable with all the molex connectors on.

Installing the card is very simple and takes about 3 minutes from start to finish. After removing the side panel from the case, we must remove the expansion slot cover next to the system’s PCI Express slot that we want the HPU-300 to occupy. Then it’s a simple matter of inserting the HPU-300 into the PCI Express slot and securing it in place using a screw. The final step is to connect the 4-pin power connector and replace the system’s side panel.