StarTech.com 2-Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 PCIe Card, USB-C 10Gbps SuperSpeed PCI Express 3.0 x4 Controller Card, USB Type-C Adapter Card, Data Only, Windows/macOS/Linux, TAA

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £41.83 ex-VAT, this is one of those “small upgrade, big annoyance removed” purchases—*if* your goal is simply to add a couple of fast USB‑C ports to a desktop without faffing about with hubs. StarTech’s USB expansion cards are generally reliable, and the appeal here is the straightforward setup: you get two front‑of‑house style USB‑C connectors on the back of the PC for things like SSD enclosures, fast file transfers, and docking/office peripherals. In a lot of UK offices, that’s exactly what people need when older machines only have USB‑A or patchy USB controllers.

That said, I wouldn’t buy it if you’re expecting it to magically make slow devices faster. USB‑C is just the shape; your drives/peripherals still need to support the speed you’re paying for, and “10Gbps” is the ceiling under the right conditions. Also, check what you’re putting it into: older motherboards with limited PCIe lanes or questionable BIOS/USB power handling can still cause quirks. For most Windows boxes (and even mixed environments), it’s a sensible, cost-effective option—just not a bargain if you actually need more ports, charging support, or you’re running a machine that’s already struggling with PCIe/USB stability.