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USB hub to PC

Franck6767 -  
 Franck6767 -

Hello,

I have a hub where I've connected screens, audio jacks, ... I can connect my laptop to this hub via its male USB-C port.

I bought a new PC tower but I've just realized it only has USB-A ports, so I thought about buying a USB-C female / USB-A male cable for the PC, but I saw somewhere that video might not be supported, I want to make sure, what do you recommend?

Thank you in advance

8 answers

  1.
    jee pee Posted messages 31875 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 977
     

    Hello,

    Indeed, the video requires a specific USB-C port that you must have on your PC; not all laptops with a USB-C port are compatible. It’s a DP (DisplayPort) or Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port.

    An A to C adapter is useless in this particular case.

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    1. Franck6767 Posted messages 21 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       

      Hello,

      Thank you for your response. So what would be the solution to avoid having to unplug and plug back the DisplayPort cables from one monitor and the HDMI from the other monitor behind the tower when I want to switch from the desktop PC (personal use) to the laptop (professional use)?

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  2. Franck6767 Posted messages 21 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
     

    Is it possible, for example, to replace a USB A port with a USB C on the tower? And how?

    If I can use a converter cable, I would prefer that as it is much easier.

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  3. jee pee Posted messages 31875 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 977
     

    On a a desktop computer, you could add a USB-C PCI card. But it's not certain that, like on a laptop, there are USB-C cards compatible with DP or Thunderbolt 3.

    For example, this one doesn't mention it, so it’s probably not compatible: https://www.inmac-wstore.com/startech-com-pcie-usb-3-1-card-2x-usb-c-3-1-gen-2-10gbps-pcie-gen-3-x4-asm3142-chipset-usb-type-c-pci-express-card-2-port-usb-3-2-gen-2x1-expansion-add-on-card-windows-macos-linux-full-low-profile-adaptateur-usb-pcie-3-0-x4-usb-c-3-1-gen-2/p7220768.htm?gad_source=1#coagent=1262880

    On this one, it's explicitly stated that it does not support video, only data: https://www.startech.com/fr-fr/cartes-additionelles-et-peripheriques/pexusb312c3?srsltid=AfmBOoqNH9xB0TTWR8iXo729lEZ0YOeH9tsaVSE0G4ECgGKagmR_i8lk

    Also, to avoid having to unplug all the time, you could put a switch connected to the screen and on the other side to the desktop PC and your hub.

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  4. flo88 Posted messages 28483 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   Ambassadeur 5 168
     

    Hello

    I would like to add this: On a desktop PC, for the display to be supported by a USB-C, several conditions must be met. Firstly, there should be no dedicated graphics card, like NVIDIA or AMD. You need to use the integrated GPU of the processor (Intel preferred), and you have to install a high-end controller card (which is expensive) like this one: ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 Internal Interface Card and Adapter Mini DisplayPort, PCIe, Thunderbolt, USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2): Amazon.fr: Computers

    And (sometimes) it works.........

    Arranging the screens to streamline the transition from desktop to laptop by unplugging/replugging on the screen side rather than the desktop PC side, even if it means using two cables or, as suggested by jee pee, a hub, is the cheapest and most functional solution.

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    1. jee pee Posted messages 31875 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 977
       

      Hello, thank you, I hadn't found a USB-C DP card. And indeed, as you mentioned, with card, converter, adapter, hub, dock, and other switches, in the end, even if it should work on paper, we can only be sure by testing the devices in a real situation.

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      1. Franck6767 > jee pee Posted messages 31875 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention  
         

        Hello Jee Pee

        Thank you for your reply, I already have a hub, I'm not quite sure, do you have a link to recommend?

        I have a screen with an HDMI port, the other one has a DP port

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  6. jee pee Posted messages 31875 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 977
     

    The switch would only allow one screen to be connected to the desktop PC. If the screen, hub, and desktop PC all have an HDMI port, I'm thinking of a switch like https://www.amazon.fr/GANA-Commutateur-Bi-Direction-Splitter-Switcher/dp/B07K2PW2RQ/

    The screen connected to the output of the switch, the desktop PC and the hub (connected via USB-C to the laptop) connected to the inputs, with a button to switch from the laptop to the desktop PC.

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  7. Franck6767
     

    Hello,

    indeed I thought about that but I have 2 screens, one with an HDMI port and the other with a DP port, so I would need 2 switches, one HDMI and the other DP. On top of that, I still have a jack cable for a sound system... is there nothing simpler?

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  8. Franck6767
     

    I would need something like this in principle but with an additional jack input.

    https://amzn.eu/d/2x2nxl7

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    1. jee pee Posted messages 31875 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 977
       

      Yes, a KVM could be used, even though its primary function is to share a keyboard, mouse, and screen.

      Why a jack socket? An output (like a speaker) or an input (like a microphone)? Since the KVM has 4 USB ports, you can have a USB/jack converter. But a hub + KVM + converter ends up being a lot, with each device bringing a risk that it won't work.

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      1. Franck6767 > jee pee Posted messages 31875 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention  
         

        Oh, I just saw that I already have a jack/USB converter cable for the speaker output.

        So the link I posted earlier could work?

        I have a doubt because it says "This KVM switch requires HDMI+DP input for each computer. However, most computers, especially laptops, do not
        have HDMI+DP outputs, so non-HDMI+DP outputs (such as VGA, DVI, USB C) require a reliable adapter or docking
        station."

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      2. jee pee Posted messages 31875 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 977 > Franck6767
         

        A KVM does not multiply ports, while your hub/dock does. Therefore, on the desktop PC, you need a DP output and an HDMI.

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  9. Franck6767
     

    It’s too complicated… I’ve decided to use only one screen for the desktop PC, which should be sufficient most of the time with a DP switch that I ordered, and the two screens with the laptop. Clearly, there isn’t a simple solution.

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    1. Franck6767
       

      Oh but then I’m thinking of something, if I just buy another dp cable and connect it between the desktop pc and my existing hub, it will work (there are 2 dp ports on the hub)? So one dp port to the desktop pc and the other to the screen. The laptop being connected to the hub via usb c.

      The 2 pcs will never be turned on at the same time anyway.

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      1. jee pee Posted messages 31875 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 977 > Franck6767
         

        Just because it's physically connected doesn't mean it works.

        You can daisy-chain DP monitors. The PC connects to the first monitor, which has a second DP output port connected to the second monitor. On your hub, the DP should be an output, not an input. And if it were an input, it would conflict with the DP input of the USB-C port. Your hub is not designed to switch between 2 devices in input.

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      2. Franck6767 > jee pee Posted messages 31875 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention  
         

        Alright, then I'll stick to my first solution, thanks ????

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