As
more and more devices use USB connections to sync and charge having
spare USB ports on your PC becomes a necessity. Wireless USB dongles
used to connected keyboards, mice, USB Wi-Fi adapters and Bluetooth
modules do not need to sit on the outside of one’s PC to work. What
if there was a way to connect to an internal USB port. A few
motherboards feature this capability while most do not.
This
is where today’s review item comes in handy. NZXT the makers of PC
cases and other PC components have a USB Expansion device that works
from inside your PC that features two external USB ports as well as
six internal ones. The IU01
USB Expansion Board can be attached anywhere inside the PC case using
the included Velcro and has a Molex connector meaning it is a powered
USB hub. It is simple to set up and requires no additional drivers.
Let’s
take a closer look at this device.
Reviewed
by: Tomas Ratas
Sponsor: NZXT
Tech
Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
Internal
USB Expansion
The
IU01 addresses an issue common to most gaming PCs that is a lack of
substantial power and expandability from the front-panel USBs. The
IU01 enhances control and boosts power for front-panel USB devices by
connecting them directly to the power supply as opposed to the
motherboard, ensuring that there’s always enough power to control
your accessories and peripherals. The IU01 also adds six internal USB
ports that are great for powering items that you don’t need constant
access too like a Bluetooth module or USB wireless router allowing
you to free up the external ports for additional accessories.
Features:
6 Internal
USB expansion2 External
USB expansionDedicated
power from power supplyPlug and
use, no drivers needed
Price:
$19.99 (from Amazon at time of review)
{mospagebreak
title=A Better Look at things}
A
Better Look at Things:
The
IU01 USB Expansion Board comes in brown cardboard box with the NZXT
logo printed on the back and front and a description of the device on
the back. Inside the package we find the IU01 USB Expansion card, a
USB motherboard connector cable, 2 pin to 4 pin Molex connector and
an instruction sheet.
The
card is small black circuit board with two external USB connectors on
one end, three internal USB connectors which can power two external
USB connections each found in the middle and an internal USB
connector that connects to the motherboard and a two pin power
connection on the other end. On the back of the board is a sticky
Velcro pad to allow the board to be positioned most anywhere in the
PC case.
{mospagebreak
title=Installation, Testing and Comparison}
Installation,
Testing and Comparison:
Installation
requires opening up your PC case and connecting the card to a spare
USB connector on the motherboard using the included cable. The other
end of the cable connects to the IU01 USB Expansion Board’s
internal USB connector. There is plenty of length with this cable so
positioning the board will not be limited by the wires.
Next
attach the two pin to four pin connector to a free Molex plug coming
off the power supply. Once this is finished you can mount the IU01
USB Expansion Board where you wish to have it rest inside your PC
using the adhesive Velcro. If you plan on transferring the unit to
another machine in the future, I recommend cutting the Velcro piece
that attaches to the inside of the PC case in half and saving the
other half for the future. The Velcro is industrial strength and
should adhere well to the half the cut piece of Velcro.
If
you have USB dongles you wish to keep out of sight simply insert them
into the external USB connectors before closing your case. NZXT
provides three additional internal USB connectors in case you need to
attach some additional USB ports to the outside of your case.
I
personally attached my Logitech
wireless mouse and Bluetooth dongles to the IU01 USB Expansion Board.
Overall
the IU01 USB Expansion Board is very simple to setup and requires
very little computer building knowledge. It is a novel way to solve
the problem of USB dongles.
{mospagebreak
title=Summary and Comments}
Summary:
The
IU01 USB Expansion Board is a handy add-on for those who wish to get
rid of external wireless dongles and to free up external USB ports on
one’s case. It is simple to install and does not require any
drivers. Although many new motherboards have numerous USB ports I
always seem to need more and the IU01 USB Expansion Board is a great way to increase one’s totally quickly and easily.
The
only drawback to this system is you will need to get an additional
Velcro adhesive or cut the included one in half if you decide to move
the IU01 USB Expansion Board to another machine.
I
know I will be using this device for a long time.
DragonSteelMods
gives the IU01 USB Expansion Board a 5 out of 5 score and our
Editor’s Choice Award.
Pros:
+Simple
to install
+Hides
two wireless USB dongles
+Low
price
+Adds
eight USB ports
Cons:
-none
review#
642
Disclosure: This
product was given to DragonSteelMods for review by the company for
review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the
review, we do not, never have, and never will, accept payment from
companies to review their products.
To
learn more about our review policy, testing methods and ratings
please see this page.