The HighPoint RocketU 1344D is a PCIe 3.0 to Quad Port USB-C 3.2 10Gb/s Host Bus Adapter (HBA) designed to expand the USB connectivity of a computing platform. This device allows users to connect multiple USB Type-C devices, leveraging high-speed data transfer capabilities.
Function Description
The RocketU 1344D serves as a host adapter that provides four independent USB Type-C ports. It is designed to be installed into a compatible PCIe slot on a computer's motherboard, effectively adding high-speed USB 3.2 Gen2 connectivity. The adapter is backward compatible with older USB standards, including USB 3.2 Gen1, USB 2.0, and USB 1.1 devices, ensuring broad compatibility with a wide range of peripherals. This makes it suitable for connecting various USB devices such as hard drives, SSDs, cameras, printers, capture devices, and other peripherals that utilize USB Type-C.
Important Technical Specifications
- Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4. This means it requires a PCIe x4, x8, or x16 slot for installation.
- USB Ports: Four independent USB Type-C ports.
- Data Transfer Rate: Supports USB 3.2 Gen2, offering data transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s per port.
- Power: The RocketU 1344D relies on two power sources: power supplied through the PCIe bus and additional power from the system's Power Supply Unit (PSU) via an external 6-pin PCIe power cable. This dual power input ensures sufficient power delivery for all four USB devices, especially high-power consumption peripherals.
- Operating System Compatibility:
- Windows: Natively supported by Windows 8.1 and later (no driver installation required).
- macOS: Natively supported by macOS 10.9 and later (no driver installation required).
- Linux: Natively supported by Linux 2.6.35 and later (no driver installation required).
- Physical Form Factor: The device is a standard PCIe expansion card, typically including a low-profile bracket for installation in smaller chassis.
- Controller: Utilizes ASMedia USB 3.1 eXtensible Host Controller (note: while the system display may show USB 3.1, the device supports USB 3.2 Gen2).
Usage Features
- Easy Installation: The RocketU 1344D is designed for straightforward installation. Users need to open their system chassis, locate an available PCIe x4/x8/x16 slot, gently insert the adapter, and secure its bracket.
- Plug-and-Play Operation: For supported operating systems (Windows 8.1+, macOS 10.9+, Linux 2.6.35+), the device is natively recognized, meaning no manual driver installation is necessary. This simplifies setup and allows for immediate use after physical installation.
- High-Speed Connectivity: With four 10Gb/s USB Type-C ports, the adapter provides ample high-bandwidth connections for demanding peripherals, enabling fast data transfers and efficient operation.
- Broad Device Compatibility: The backward compatibility with USB 3.2 Gen1, USB 2.0, and USB 1.1 ensures that a wide array of existing USB devices can be connected and utilized without issues.
- External Power Support: The inclusion of an external 6-pin PCIe power port is a critical feature, especially when connecting multiple power-hungry USB devices. This ensures stable and sufficient power delivery, preventing devices from dropping offline or becoming undetected due to power shortages.
Maintenance Features
- Driverless Operation: For most modern operating systems, the RocketU 1344D does not require specific driver installations, simplifying maintenance as there are no drivers to update or troubleshoot. The OS handles the necessary drivers natively.
- System Information Verification: Users can verify proper installation through the operating system's device management tools:
- Windows: Check Device Manager under 'Universal Serial Bus Controllers' for "ASMedia USB 3.1 eXtensible Host Controller" and "USB Root Hub" entries.
- macOS: Access System Information, navigate to PCI under Hardware, and look for "pci1b21, 2142” USB eXtensible Host Controller entries.
- Linux: Use the
lspci command in the terminal to confirm the presence of "ASM2142 USB 3.1 Host Controller" entries.
- Power Management Awareness: A key maintenance consideration is ensuring the external 6-pin PCIe power cable is connected if the USB devices require more power than the PCIe bus can provide. Failure to do so can lead to device instability or data loss. The manual specifically notes that the RU1344D does not require the external power cord when used with Mac Pro 2019, indicating a specific system configuration where this might differ.
- Troubleshooting Support: HighPoint Technologies provides customer support and web resources (https://highpoint-tech.com/websupport/ and https://www.highpoint-tech.com) for users who encounter problems, offering assistance for any issues with the product.
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