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**Ron Barker** · 06-21-2015, 05:44 PM

Hi

I have a HP Pavilion dv8-1110ea laptop with Express Card 54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34). I bought Logic FL1000 USB 3.0 Host Controller Express Card. I installed the driver with no problem and the USB works okay but at USB 2 transfer speed. I am using it with a WD Elements external hard Drive. Thank you for any assistance.

**jmitservices** · 06-21-2015, 06:46 PM

How have you benchmarked the speeds?

Are you sure that the WD external drive is 3.0 and not 2.0?

**jmitservices** · 06-21-2015, 06:54 PM

You might even find that the ExpressCard port communicates internally via USB 2.0 instead of PCIe.

**Ron Barker** · 06-21-2015, 07:08 PM

Hi JM thanks for the response. Yes the WD Elements hard drive is definitely USB 3. I have not checked the transfer speed using a special tool. I can see the transfer rate on my PC. I have been using it to back up my computer. I use Macrium Reflect which shows the transfer rate. If I use USB 2 the transfer rate is the same. I am not sure what this means "You might even find that the ExpressCard port communicates internally via USB 2.0 instead of PCIe" although this sounds like it could have something to do with the problem! Thanks.

**jmitservices** · 06-21-2015, 07:10 PM

Its basically how they have connected the ExpressCard slot internally on the motherboard on the laptop.

**Ron Barker** · 06-21-2015, 08:04 PM

Many Thanks

***Britec*** · 06-21-2015, 10:54 PM

To benchmark USB, try one of these

USB Flash Speed

CrystalDiskMark (Be careful the installer version comes with potentially unwanted programs.)

**Ron Barker** · (This post was last modified: 06-22-2015, 06:59 AM by Ron Barker.)

(06-21-2015, 10:54 PM)Britec Wrote: To benchmark USB, try one of these

USB Flash Speed

CrystalDiskMark (Be careful the installer version comes with potentially unwanted programs.)

Thank you Brian, unless you say different I do not really need to use an app. I can see that the USB 3 transfer is the same as the USB 2 transfer speed. I have posted the question on the HP forum. If I am provided with a solution I will post it on here.

PS: I did see your video review of WD Elements and did consider using the app that you used to check transfer speed.

**jmitservices** · (This post was last modified: 06-22-2015, 11:15 AM by jmitservices.)

Quote:"The ExpressCard has a maximum throughput of 2.5 Gbit/s through PCI Express and 480 Mbit/s through USB 2.0 dedicated for each slot, while all CardBus and PCI devices connected to a computer usually share a total 1.06 Gbit/s bandwidth."

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExpressCard

I'm not sure the guy on the HP forums knows what hes talking about.

To get the true answer to your question you'll need to speak with someone at HP with technical knowledge of the internals on your laptop model. (Probably going to be a tall order - lol)

**Timster** · (This post was last modified: 06-22-2015, 12:59 PM by Timster.)

One of the responses on the HP forum thread I do agree with. Grab up a USB 3.0 flash drive and test the speeds on that. This will confirm a issue with the external hard drive.