PCIe to USB3.2 Type-C Host Controller,IO-PCE3242S-1C

Features

• Support PCI Express Gen-III x4

• Support PCI Express Base 3.1a Specification

• Compliant with PCI Express Card Electromechanical 2.0 specification

• Compliant with PCI Express Mini Card Electromechanical 1.2 specification

• Compliant with PCI PCI Bus power Management interface specification Revision 1.2

• Compliant with PCI PCI Local Bus specification Revision 3.0

• Integrate Spread Spectrum Controller for PCI Express interface

• Not Support lane reversal

• Compliant with Universal Serial Bus 3.1 specification Revision 1.0

• Compliant with Universal Serial Bus specification Revision 2.0

• Compliant with USB Attached SCSI Protocol Revision 1.0

• Support Multiple INs function

• Support one ports of USB3.2

• Support USB3.2 and USB2.0 Link Power Management

• Support Control,Bulk,Stream,Interrupt,Isochronous transfer type

• Support USB3.2Gen2 x2

• Up to 20Gbps

• Compliant with xHCI (eXtensible Host Controller Interface) specifications Revision 1.1

• 5V/3000mA power output for Type C port

• A type c female, an external USB3.2 interface and internal SATA power

• Power Input: 15-pin SATA CD-ROM Type Power Connector

• Support device remote wakeup function from USB keyboard or mouse

• Support Control, Bulk, Stream, Interrupt, Isochronous transfer type

• Operation Temperature ：0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)

• Storage Temperature：-20 to 70°C (-4 to 158°F)

• Operation Humidity：5 to 95% RH

System Requirements

• Windows 8.x / 10 (X86/X64) (Windows in-box driver)

• Support Linux 2.6.31 or later (Linux OS already implemented USB3.2 driver)

Package Contents

• 1 × PCI Express to USB3.2 Type-CHost ControllerCard

• 1 × User Manual

• 1 × Low Profile Bracket

Q What is the main controller chip of this expansion card?

A It uses the ASMedia ASM3242 controller, which is the industry's native USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gbps) bridge chip. The ASM3242 is a single‑chip native 20Gbps architecture, offering lower latency and better power efficiency. It is fully compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is recognised as a Gen2x2 device without additional drivers.

Q What protocols and speeds does the Type‑C output support?

A The output is a standard USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type‑C port with a maximum data rate of 20Gbps. It is backward compatible with USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps), and USB 2.0 devices. It does not support Thunderbolt 3/4, USB4, or DisplayPort video output – it is a pure data expansion card.

Q What real‑world transfer speeds can be achieved?

A With a USB 3.2 Gen2x2‑enabled portable SSD, sequential reads can reach 1800‑1900 MB/s and writes 1600‑1700 MB/s, approaching the theoretical 20Gbps limit. When connected to a standard USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) device, it automatically downshifts to around 1000 MB/s, ensuring seamless compatibility.

Q How much heat does the ASM3242 generate? Does it require extra cooling?

A The card comes with an aluminium heatsink covering the chip. Passive cooling is sufficient for stable operation – no fan is needed. A slight warmth on the casing during prolonged full‑load transfers is normal and does not affect performance or longevity.

Q What is the purpose of the SATA 15‑pin power connector?

A This connector provides additional power to the external Type‑C device. When connecting high‑power peripherals (such as portable SSDs, external drive enclosures, or capture cards), the SATA power cable must be connected to ensure stable power delivery. For low‑power devices like flash drives or keyboard/mouse dongles, the SATA power can be left unplugged, and the card will draw power solely from the PCIe slot.

Q What is the maximum output current of the Type‑C port without SATA power connected?

A Without SATA power, the Type‑C port outputs 5V/0.9A (approx. 4.5W), which is sufficient for low‑power devices such as USB flash drives, wireless receivers, and small card readers, but cannot drive high‑load peripherals like portable SSDs.

Q How much does the Type‑C output capacity increase with SATA power connected?

A With the SATA 15‑pin power connected, the Type‑C output is boosted to 5V/3A (15W), which reliably powers mainstream NVMe portable SSDs, portable drive enclosures, USB audio/network adapters, and similar devices. It still does not support PD fast‑charging and cannot fast‑charge smartphones or laptops.

Q Can I plug in only the SATA power without inserting the card into a PCIe slot?

A Absolutely not. The SATA power is only a supplementary power source and cannot replace the PCIe slot for data and main power. Without the PCIe connection, even with SATA power attached, the Type‑C port will not transfer data or recognise devices, and may cause circuit anomalies due to missing signal lines.

Q How can I tell if I need to connect the SATA power?

A If an external device frequently disconnects, experiences transfer interruptions, or shows abnormal LED behaviour, it is usually a sign of insufficient power – you should connect the SATA power. If the device works stably and reaches expected speeds, no additional power is needed. We recommend always pre‑connecting the SATA cable for high‑power devices to avoid potential risks.

Q What are the specific PCIe slot requirements for this card?

A The motherboard must have at least one PCIe 3.0 x4/x8/x16 physical slot. PCIe 2.0 x4 and above slots can also be used, but the speed will drop to PCIe 2.0 x2 (about 8Gbps), which will reduce the performance of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 devices. PCIe x1 slots are not supported due to physical length limitations.

Q Which operating systems are supported? Do I need to install drivers?

A Supports Windows 10/11 (64‑bit), Linux (kernel 4.14+), and macOS 10.15+. It is plug‑and‑play on all platforms without additional drivers. On macOS, you can verify the Gen2x2 link status in System Report → USB; on Linux, use lsusb -t to confirm the speed is 20Gbps.

Q What are the dimensions of the card? Which cases is it compatible with?

A It is a standard PCIe x4 short card (approx. 80mm long) with a height of 68mm, compatible with 4U and larger tower/rackmount cases. A low‑profile bracket is included for 2U/SFF small form factor cases. ITX motherboard users should check whether the x4 slot position interferes with the graphics card or CPU cooler.

Q Who is this product best suited for?

A ① Legacy motherboard upgraders: Add a 20Gbps Type‑C port at low cost to Z370/B450 boards without native USB 3.2 Gen2x2. ② Content creators: Direct‑attach high‑speed portable SSDs for instant 4K footage editing. ③ Industrial/embedded systems: Compact x4 form factor fits tight spaces, with SATA power as needed. ④ NAS/soft‑router enthusiasts: Expand high‑speed backup ports or external USB NICs without occupying full‑length slots. ⑤ Test/development environments: Quickly set up 20Gbps USB test nodes with controllable power delivery.

Q What are the key precautions when using this product?

A ① Do not force the card into an x1 slot – physical mismatch may damage the gold fingers. ② Always connect SATA power for high‑power devices to avoid device damage or data loss from insufficient power. ③ SATA power is not hot‑pluggable – plug/unplug only when the system is powered off. ④ Avoid daisy‑chaining USB hubs – multiple hubs add latency and strain power delivery; connect devices directly. ⑤ Regularly clean the Type‑C port – oxidation or debris can cause poor contact and speed drops.