Internal USB 3.2 Gen 2 Adapter Sonnet USB3C-8PM-E PCIe Low-profile Black

The Sonnet USB3C-8PM-E is an internal USB 3.2 Gen 2 adapter card that provides eight external USB-C ports on a standard full-height PCIe bracket. Designed for installation in a PCIe x16 slot (works in PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 slots), the card delivers up to 10 Gbit/s per port and fits systems where multiple expansion slots may be limited. Its low-profile black design lets you expand USB connectivity in Mac, Windows, or Linux desktop systems and in Sonnet Echo III Thunderbolt expansion systems.

Advantages

The card uses four independent USB 3.2 controllers and an x8 PCIe 3.0 bridge to provide full 10Gbps bandwidth to each of eight ports, avoiding the bandwidth-splitting limitations of hub-style multiport cards. It supports hot-pluggable devices and automatic device configuration without requiring driver installation, and its ports are spaced to accept eight cables or adapters simultaneously. When combined with Sonnet Echo III Thunderbolt expansion systems, the card enables eight USB-C connections using a single Thunderbolt host connection.

Suitable for

Key specifications

How to use

Install the Sonnet USB3C-8PM-E card into an available PCIe x16 slot in your desktop or into a compatible Sonnet Echo III PCIe expansion chassis connected via Thunderbolt. Secure the bracket, power on the host system and connect USB-C devices to the external ports. The card supports hot-plugging and automatic device configuration; no driver installation is typically required for modern OS versions that include native USB 3.2 support.

Recommendations

For maximum aggregated throughput when using multiple high-speed NVMe USB 3.2 Gen 2 drives, install the card in a PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 x8/x16 slot or use it inside an Echo III Thunderbolt expansion system connected to a Thunderbolt 3 or newer host. Ensure your operating system and virtual machine software (if used) support direct physical USB controller assignment to take advantage of the card’s four independent controllers.