Gigabyte Makes Huge USB 3.0 Push [Gigabyte Motherboards Include One Third Of USB 3.0 Controllers Produced - USB 3.0's Future Still Questionable]

Posted on TFTS by Kevin Schram on Wednesday, 24. March 2010 under: Computers & Computing

USB, overall, has been pretty popular, as most of us use gadgets that use a USB port somewhere multiple times a day, and USB 3.0 has caught the imagination of a lot of folks, including those at Gigabyte. Gigabyte, who produces motherboards for computers, has bet heavily on USB 3.0′s adaption, despite the looming threat of LightPeak.

Gigabyte was one of the first motherboard manufacturers to sell USB 3.0-equipped motherboards on the market. They use NEC USB 3.0 controller chipsets in their motherboards, and reports coming out today say that Gigabyte currently buys one-third (33%) of all USB 3.0 controllers that NEC produces for use in their chipsets.

Obviously, the economic recession has been not so kind to some computer parts manufacturers but Gigabyte has managed to keep their head aloft, reportedly by good sales of their boards where USB 3.0 is attracting buyers. However, USB 3.0′s future is in question. Despite Gigabyte’s decent sales, users reportedly aren’t activated adapting USB 3.0 in mass numbers like everybody hopes.

Furthermore, USB 3.0 has been criticized by some. All USB 3.0 must be tested and approved by the USB-I Forum, showing development time for products and increasing cost. USB 3.0 devices are often more expensive than their USB 2.0 and there are reportedly CMOS manufacturing difficulties in the processor for building USB 3.0 chipsets.

Intel’s Light Peak technology seems to be the big contender to replace USB 3.0, if anything can. Light Peak is based on optical cable technology and offers speeds of 10Gb/s (vs. the 4Gb/s of USB 3.0). Intel hopes that Light Peak will replace USB, HDMI, SATA – almost all universal ports on computers today. Surely, if Light Peak became the next-gen data port of choice – then Gigabyte could be in trouble for betting heavily on USB 3.0.

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