Best way to achieve USB3 on Gigabyte EX58 UD4 (USB2) motherboard

[jt256]

I've read it's possible to get a PCIE USB3 expansion card for my USB2 machine. The motherboard is a Gigabyte EX58 UD4. I currently have a single graphics card and a small belkin wifi card installed, so there should be plenty of slots.

I want fast USB speeds for external drives, and I also want faster access to my photos on SD card. Is there an expansion card that offers an SD card slot too, or would it be just as fast to plug an SD reader into the USB3 slot?

If there's anything I need to know about what options might work best for me, I'm all ears (or eyes!). Thanks.

[kalniel]

More or less any PCI-E expansion card should provide plenty of USB3.0 slots.

Just as fast to plug in a reader to a USB3 slot - and you won't have to fish around the back of the computer to access it. I can recommend the Lexar USB3 reader.

Given that requirement you could get away with a two port card perhaps. Something like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transcend-Ex.../dp/B003MVJG8Q

Main problem people seem to have with these kind of things is getting drivers, but a modern OS like up-to-date win 7 should be OK. If your hard drives need decent power then make sure you've got a free molex connector from the PSU to plug into the expansion card.

[BobF64]

Main problem people seem to have with these kind of things is getting drivers, but a modern OS like up-to-date win 7 should be OK.

Windows 7 can be a bit of a tricky one.

Unlike 8 and later, it doesn't natively support USB 3, and sometimes the cards don't work properly.

I can only speak from my own experience though, I have one PC with USB3 built in (NEC chipset i think) and it works fine with Windows 7. I have another with a PCI-e card, which works but never from cold boot, it always has a "driver issue" and the USB3 ports do nothing.

[StealyClint]

Card reader and USB 3.0 hub but you will need a 3.5" bay.

http://www.dx.com/p/3-5-internal-pci...1#.VvWhyPmLTuo

[Edit] I've just noticed it's out of stock but at least something like what your looking for does exist.