ASUS launched its USB4 Add-In-Card, featuring support for the latest connection standard along with 60W power delivery.
ASUS Expands The "Confined" Portfolio of USB4 AICs, Competing Directly With MSI
The trend of USB4 Add-In-Card has taken a new high recently, especially as the industry has moved towards the place where support for Thunderbolt 4 hasn't been that great on the manufacturer side of things. Just recently, Gigabyte unveiled their first AORUS B650E ELITE X AX ICE motherboard that brought in support for USB4, however, USB4 still has a restricted adoption amongst manufacturers and this is where Add-In-Cards come in handy since they provide the connection standard, by simply plugging into a PCIe slot.
In terms of the specifications, ASUS's USB4 Add-In-Card features an ASMedia ASM4242 controller, which is similar to what we saw in the MSI's counterpart. The card features a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface and comes with 40 Gbps bi-directional bandwidth support. It comes with two USB Type-C ports, which can be connected to support up to five USB4 devices in a daisy chain. For additional support, both of the Type-C connections are compatible with 20V/3A connections, along with a 60W charging feature as well, which makes ASUS's AIC stand out among the options available in the market.
Other onboard connectivity options include two DisplayPort In ports, allowing you to connect multiple display options, all in a single AIC. You also get a dedicated 6-pin PCIe power connector for the Quick Charge Function. Overall ASUS's AIC is a great option for those looking to add USB4 functionality into their systems, without switching to a new piece of hardware. The additional ports are a bonus for those who want to achieve the maximum out of their AIC.
ASUS hasn't unveiled the pricing of their USB4 Add-In-Card yet, but as there aren't many similar options available in the market, the pricing could be a premium one.
News Source: ASUS
About the author: Muhammad Zuhair is a hardware and technology reporter for Wccftech, specializing in the semiconductor industry and the complex interplay between technology, manufacturing, and geopolitics. His coverage focuses on the corporate strategies and technological roadmaps of industry giants like TSMC, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel. Zuhair's expertise lies in deconstructing complex topics such as fabrication nodes (e.g., 2nm process), the economic impact of policies like the CHIPS Act, and the strategic development of AI infrastructure from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
