USB 3, SATA 3, WiFi/Bluetooth 4 on Older Motherboards

[Emilo]

For those who are trying to use Wi-Fi+Bluetooth PCI-E adapter in x2, x4, x8, x16 slot:

 

Most motherboards refuse to work with PCI-E adapters that have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth powered from PCI-E slot other then x1 slot.

If installed in x2, x4, x8, x16 slots, either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth will initialize but not both at the same time (this problem exists on newest motherboards as well).
There are two different solutions for this problem:

 

1. PCI-E x1 slot extension cable (when PCI-E x1 slot is blocked or covered by Video Card): http://www.amazon.co....?ie=UTF8&psc=1

or
2. This wdxxfu studio adapter designed to work in any slot: http://item.taobao.c....id=38195333521 , http://www.potatao.com/index.php?p=item&id=38195333521&vendorId=wdxxfu
 

Linked above wdxxfu studio adapter has Apple branded Broadcom BCM94360CD card found in iMac 2013.

Both Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 4.0/LE work OOB.

They managed the card to work properly in any slot by providing four wire connection to USB port for Bluetooth Data and Power.
To get correct 3.3V Bluetooth voltage from 5V USB port they have integrated AMS1117 step down voltage converter.

Wi-Fi is powered from PCI-E rail (Side-B, Pin-10 which is defined in PCI-E specifications as 3.3Vaux).

There are two wires for Bluetooth data that connect to USB and two more wires for Bluetooth power that connect to USB through 3.3V AMS1117 voltage converter.
If you don't speak Chinese and want to buy it, search for TAOBAO purchasing agent or get it from Potatao website:  http://www.potatao.com/index.php?p=item&id=38195333521&vendorId=wdxxfu

 

There is another adapter which has been reported to work in any PCI-E slot and that is easier to purchase then wdxxfu adapter: 

http://www.amazon.co...onymacx86com-21

http://www.aliexpres...2269231445.html

 

I use wdxxfu studio adapter on GA-Z87MX-D3H in PCI-E x16 slot (running at x8 electrical).

 

Here is what I use on my GA-EX58-UD5 in PCI-E x1 slot: http://www.osxwifi.com/apple-broadcom-bcm94360cd-802-11-a-b-g-n-ac-bluetooth-4-0-with-adapter-for-pc-hackintosh

This native card is one of two in existence that I could find to fit in PCI-E x1 slot on GA-EX58-UD5 motherboard.

This card will work properly on any motherboard, but must be installed in PCI-E x1 slot.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth worked OOB. Continuity and Handoff on OSX started working after fixing all iMessage problems.

 

If you want to use Mini or Half Mini PCI-E port on your motherboard for Wi-Fi+Bluetooth:  http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/289922-anyone-got-any-pci-e-bcm4360-wifi-ac-card-going-new-macbook-air-owner-wanted/page-4?do=findComment&comment=2095983

 

If you need OSX native bootable SATA 3, any card using ASM1061 chipset with 0.951 firmware will work natively OOB.

I use SYBA SY-PEX40039 SATA III PCI-E card. It gives me 417MB/s Write and 436MB/s read speeds with Samsung 840 Pro.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124045&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=4902415&SID=

http://www.ebay.com/...3013537?lpid=82

http://www.ebay.co.u...sd=160583982904

http://www.pridopia..../1061-e-lp.html

Mini PCI-E version:  http://www.pridopia....061me-v-db.html

 

If you need OSX native USB 3.0, these ORICO PCI-E USB 3.0 cards with Fresco chipset work OOB  (ORICO PFU3-202I, ORICO PFU3-2P, ORICO PME-4U):

https://www.amazon.com/PFU3-202I-Desktop-Express-Supporting-System/dp/B00GGB2ZAK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

http://www.amazon.co...onymacx86com-20

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORICO-PME-4U-4-Port-PCI-Express-to-USB3-0-Card-with-Power-Cable-For-Mac-Windows-/151463068174?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_InterfaceCards&hash=item2343e7020e&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

For USB 3 ports on ORICO PFU3-202I to work properly with any device, this card needs to be connected to power supply with 4 Pin Molex Power cable.

I use Jettison app. to remove "Disc not ejected properly" message after waking from sleep with external drive connected to USB3 port:  http://www.stclairsoft.com/Jettison/

 

If you need OSX native USB 3.1 Type-C, this Aukey B01AAETL6Y PCI Express card have been reported to work well:

http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/01/13/install-an-inexpensive-usb-c-pci-e-card-in-a-mac-pro-for-full-usb-31-data-transfer-speeds

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AAETL6Y/?tag=reality

[ballistic]

Good post. Thank you.

[kvonlinee]

Great information.

This is not offense you or anything.

Old broad, add those expansion one--- cost high, still low speed( because old broad, so not new cpu is not high efficiency, cost more electric bill)---- may not last long.

Buy a new board, maybe it is cheaper over all.