USB

Expand Your Connections with a USB Hub

When building a custom PC, it's important to factor in the number of USB ports you'll need for peripheral connectivity. A USB hub is a great option when you're not looking to add another USB card to your existing system. When you want to buy a USB hub, then look no further than Overclockers UK.

A USB hub provides a solution for connecting multiple USB peripherals when you find yourself short of USB ports. There are a number of options available, from internal USB cards to external USB hubs, as well as multi card readers to enable you to insert a variety of different media cards. At Overclockers UK we believe that having the optimal computer setup is crucial to attaining peak performance, whether for gaming or work related activities. We therefore provide numerous USB hubs to ensure that you never run out of space for all your peripherals and external devices.

The History of USB

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and was developed as a means of having a universal industry standard for short distance data communications. Initially introduced as USB cards that slotted into computers, the USB – and by extension the USB hub – solved the problem of multiple devices all having unique connectors that married up to different ports. Having a USB card in your computer allowed greater connectivity with printers, modems, storage devices and webcams to name but a few. This not only allowed data to be transferred but also meant that electrical power could be supplied across cables to the connected device.

Different Types of USB

There are different port types of USB that exist both in USB cards as well as USB hubs.

• USB-A (Type A): This is the most common type of USB connector. It is rectangular in shape and is often found on computers, USB storage drives, routers, USB hubs and gaming consoles.
• USB-B (Type B): These connectors have a more square shape to them. They're less common than Type A and can be found on upstream port devices such as printers. On some devices these are used primarily for accepting power and do not transfer data. These connectors are also found on many smartphones.
• USB (Type C): The newest of all the USB ports, this connector is designed to replace both A and B and is currently being implemented on newer smartphones. Its smaller dimensions mean it's perfect for USB cards in thinner laptops. Some USB hubs also sport a Type C port to accommodate the technology, which is worth looking out for.

USB Versions

USB 2.0, released in 2000, was the standard with a speed of 35 MB/s. This was superseded by USB 3.0 in 2008 which came with a SuperSpeed transfer mode boasting a realistic transfer rate of around 625 MB/s. USB 3.1 then followed, which transfers data at double the rate of 3.0 at 1.25 GB/s. All of these connectors are backwards compatible, meaning that if your USB card or USB hub is slightly older, it will still be able to support newer peripherals.

About Overclockers UK

We take computing and gaming very seriously at Overclockers UK, which is why he have an extensive inventory sourced from leaders within the industry. Whether it's a USB hub or USB card to extend the number of peripherals your computer can connect to, external cables for networking and USB devices, or any number of graphics cards and motherboards, we've taken great care to source an extensive range of products to suit any computing needs you may have. Whatever your budget, Overclockers UK is your one-stop shop for the latest and most cutting-edge hardware at the best prices. Don't hesitate to contact one of our dedicated team for any inquiries regarding our store, our products or your PC.