Ask a stupid question

[horlock]

So I've got an issue with my PC. Some might suggest buying a new PC, but bear with me, there is nothing wrong with the PC, it is just a little bit old. I've just transferred it to a new Antec P280 case. All well and good you say, except that the transfer highlights the lack of usb3 - since the case expects me to plug it into the motherboard. So what has that got to do with the graphics card?

Well it is easy enough to buy a pcie card which would do what I want eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Desktop-PC...gAAOSwVcFXPEII

But my new problem becomes that my graphics card is too big - ie the case has two empty pcie slots however the graphics card with heatsink and fan cover both of these making them inaccessible to add a card to.

So that then makes me wonder whether something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-3-0-PC...0AAOSw0fhXiLa4 is what I need? To be honest I don't have clue what this does, but it looks interesting. The case has loads of space, but am I just being silly? My graphics card is a GTS240 and i only use it for the extra screen - I don't play games. Perhaps I should buy another graphics card instead.

So basically the problem is the motherboard is too old to have usb3. I want to add it but can't because my old graphics card is covering not only its own slot but its heatsink is also covering the two mini pcie slots too. What would be the sensible, affordable or even humorous suggestions?

Thanks

[DanceswithUnix]

If you only want to use the case connectors, you can get USB3 to USB2 adapter cables. Will only go at USB2 speeds, but on the upside they are fairly cheap.

[DDY]

Word of warning,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-3-0-PC...-/291819312157

That does not give you a USB 3.0 connection, it merely uses the USB-A 3.0 connector as a passive PCIe connection - basically a PCIe extension that uses a USB 3.0 cable and connection.

As DanceswithUnix suggested.

Pick this if you don't mind running ports at USB 2.0 speeds;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-3-0-19...-/291793539281

Pick this if you want real USB 3.0 ports;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Desktop-PC...-/141996938135

[c12038]

You could install one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2pcs-PCI-E...YAAOSw-0xYXDfw

if it would fit underneath the Heatsink you would need to check for clearance

Word of warning,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-3-0-PC...-/291819312157

That does not give you a USB 3.0 connection, it merely uses the USB-A 3.0 connector as a passive PCIe connection - basically a PCIe extension that uses a USB 3.0 cable and connection.

As DanceswithUnix suggested.

Pick this if you don't mind running ports at USB 2.0 speeds;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-3-0-19...-/291793539281

Pick this if you want real USB 3.0 ports;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Desktop-PC...-/141996938135