I'm completely satisfied with 15 watts, which is sufficient for a variety of small peripherals connected through a hub.

##### What Is USB Power Delivery (USB PD)?

It enables smart charging of modern devices that require higher power, provided you have all the necessary components in place.

PostsWhen purchasing a card, ensure you verify the power output capability of each USB-C port. You'll find cards on Amazon offering 4 or more USB-C ports, but since they aren't directly linked to your power supply, they can only provide a few watts per port.

Any card delivering over 15 watts to multiple ports will likely need a separate power connection. If such a feature isn’t present, approach with caution.

How Much Speed Do You Need?

As the speed and number of ports increase, so does the cost of USB-C cards, so it's wise to enter the market knowing exactly what you need.

I’m not using an eGPU (which demands significant bandwidth), nor do I require features like DisplayPort Alt mode. Additionally, I don’t possess many high-speed peripherals, so a single port suffices for my needs.

##### eGPUs vs. eGPU Enclosures: Which Should You Choose?

Enhance your underpowered PC or handheld with an external GPU.

PostsWhen shopping for USB-C cards, *check how the bandwidth among the ports is distributed*. You might find a card adding eight USB-C ports, but if those are sharing a single USB 3.2 2x2 controller, you won’t achieve their full speeds. For example, if four USB-C ports share a USB 3.2 2x2 controller, each port would only get up to 5Gbps.

Eventually, I chose a Sonnet Allegro 1-Port USB-C card that added one 20 gigabit port.

##### Sonnet Allegro Max 1-Port USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 PCIe Card

The Allegro USB3C-1M20G-E adds a single USB-C port capable of reaching speeds up to 20 gigabits per second (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2), and can supply up to 15 watts of power to any connected device. It connects to any available PCIe x4, x8, or x16 slot on motherboards.

$38.99 at bhphotovideo $38.99 at Amazon Expand Collapse If you're looking for a multi-port option, I considered StarTech's 4-Port expansion card because it offers both USB-C and USB-A ports. However, as each controller serves one USB-A and one USB-C port, the maximum bandwidth through any port tops out at 10Gbps.

Getting USB 4 Is Complicated

USB 4 is currently the fastest USB interface available for PCs, though installing a card for it isn't as straightforward as older USB standards. USB 4 expansion cards exist, but your motherboard must already have a USB 4 or Thunderbolt 4 (or 5) header for an expansion card to work. As both technologies are relatively new, you’ll mainly find them on premium motherboards. I also recommend choosing a PCIe USB 4 expansion card from your motherboard manufacturer to avoid compatibility problems.

If you want a card compatible with any modern PC, you’re limited to USB 3.2 2x2, which provides up to 20 gigabits per second (2.5 gigabytes per second). That’s more than adequate for most tasks.

Can Your PC Accept a PCIe Expansion Card?

To confirm whether you can use a PCIe USB expansion card, press Windows R and type msinfo32. Scroll down until you see the baseboard product line—this is your motherboard model.

Once you identify it, search online for your motherboard model. The manufacturer’s documentation will specify the slots available on your motherboard. Here's what mine looked like.

Luckily, the requirements for a USB 3.2 2x2 PCIe expansion card are fairly minimal. You'll need a free PCIe 3.0 x4 slot or better. PCIe 3.0 is now quite common, and every PC made in the last decade includes it.

Similarly, x4 slots (referring to physical size) are widespread. If unavailable, you can insert a PCIe x4 device into a PCIe x16 slot—it will function fine.

##### The PCIe Version Doesn't Matter for Graphics Cards Like You Think

Graphics cards don’t actually require all that bandwidth.

Posts Installing a USB-C Expansion Card -----------------------------------

Thankfully, selecting the card is the hardest part. The installation itself only takes a few minutes.

Open your card’s packaging and keep any screws included.

If your USB-C card requires an external power connector, be sure to order the correct one from your PSU manufacturer. These connectors aren’t universal and may differ, risking damage to the card, your power supply, or both.

Unplug everything from your PC, then place it on a flat surface. The side with the USB ports should face down.

Remove the side panel by taking out the screws (often thumb screws) from the back of the case. Some cases may also have a latch you need to manipulate to remove the panel.

Ideally, install these cards in a PCIe x4 slot rather than an x16 slot, as PCIe x4 is ample for handling the bandwidth, and there’s no reason to occupy an x16 slot unnecessarily.

However, an x16 slot will suffice if needed. In my situation, I only had free x1 and x16 slots, so I installed it in the x16 slot.

Take off the screw securing the backplate and keep it—you'll need it shortly.

Insert the USB-C expansion card firmly and evenly into the slot. There won’t be a click when fully seated. Align the card’s frame with the previous screw hole, then reattach the screw.

Once done, slide the case panel back on, secure everything, and you're finished! Reconnect all your peripherals and power up your PC.

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Your PC should automatically detect and enable the card. If not, adjust some BIOS settings to activate it.

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