Icybox IB-868 3.5 inch USB 3.0 Multi-Card Reader with USB Charging Port

All connections are internal, direct-to-motherboard headers for USB3, USB2, and SATA, and one to power supply (molex). So there are no ugly USB cables etc going out the back of the case, and plugging into the rear-panel ports, like some competitors.I've used the USB3 port, USB2 port, and the SD card reader (USB3). These have all worked as expected, and at the speeds I would expect. (I don't have a eSATA drive to test with, or other types of memory cards).Installation is simple, just mount in a 3.5inch drive bay, and connect the cables to motherboard and power supply. Windows 7 automatically recognised all devices, no new drivers needed.Each card slot shows up as a separate drive in Windows explorer. They all have the same generic icons... which can clutter things up, and make it difficult to tell which drive you just put your card in...!I therefore find it helpful to assign custom drive icons to the slots/drives I actually use, to differentiate them. There are guides for doing that on the web (registry tweaks), just do a search. You should not attempt registry edits if you're not sure what you're doing - search for a utility program instead, that will simplify the process. I've seen ones that prompt for a drive letter, and an icon to assign to it... and they then make the registry tweaks for you.You can also use Windows computer management (Storage -> Disk Management) to remove the drive letter assignments for your unused card slots. Then they don't appear in Explorer at all. NB. Do not attempt such things if you are not sure about what you're doing!I have two of these (two different computers), no issues so far with either of them...

I wanted to add a card reader to my computer and found this one to be just what I needed plus a few extras.While being a bit pricey, the quality is good and overall it feels sturdy. The cables are also very good and can withstand some stress.It does not have LEDs to show that the unit is powered, just one that lights-up (blue) when a memory card is inserted. That was a plus for me, since my computer case has a discrete-looking design (and, thus, very few LEDs).The yellow USB port doesn't carry data, just as described, but charged every phone in the house. Power comes from the Molex connector (4-pin), that plugs to your power supply unit, which also powers the card reader. Also, the internal/motherboard USB 3.0 connector was a must for me.Installation was painless. It is plug-and-play, using OS-provided drivers.I have tested this reader with SDHC cards (both normal and micro, class 6 and 10) and transfer speeds are really good.The only downside I found, after some nitpicking, is that the USB 2.0 internal/motherboard connector uses a full header while heaving a single connection. It isn't a problem for me, but can be seen as wasteful by some people.

Very useful to have these ports on the front of the computer. The unit connects to the motherboard for the USB 3 port through a 19/20 pin plug (one pin blanked for orientation)to the standard USB3 socket on the motherboard. In this case an Asus P8 Z77-V motherboard. The USB 2 connection to the motherboard is a socket to the usual row of pins on the motherboard. The port provided for charging external devices is connected to a Molex socket from the PSU and this port does not have the USB signal connections, only the power connection. The eSata port connects with an internal SATA cable.As supplied, a USB connection and the card readers did not work. On opening the unit there were several internal socket connections but the cables had been so tightly bound together with a plastic cable tie that the plugs were partly bent out of their sockets. Cutting the cable tie and pushing the plugs in properly solved the problem and all then worked perfectly. A little sticker on the internal circuit board showed that the circuit board had passed inspection but perhaps an inspection on the completed unit after it had been boxed up would have been more appropriate.I only had cards to check the card reader for SDHC and CF.

If the attributes you require are on this accessory, and you are certain you have a USB 3.0 20 pin blue socket, a USB 2.0 socket, a SATA socket and a spare Molex on your motherboard and PSU, then this item is a steal. If you feel competent at plugging plugs into sockets, it's that simple to install - it's the epitome of plug and play - and the charging socket is a revelation, absolutely ideal for an iPad, which of course will not charge from a normal USB socket. Easy peasy.

Had this fitted to my computer for the past year, running a Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 MOBO. I have to keep unplugging and reinstalling the card reader as it keeps losing it. .

The first thing I noticed is that the USB ports are upside down, so I have a device that requires me to press a contact, which as the unit is behind a door when the door is open and with the USB being upside down it is difficult to press the contact...I don't understand why ICE have done this, as all USB's on most devices are like this one Sabrent 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Individual Power Switches and LEDs (HB-UM43)

In a word Awesome. The box it comes in you would be fooled into thinking have i brought something i will regret... NO when you open the box and take this professionally engineered product out you will be very pleased indeed. Performs as good at it looks. Will buy again and we would highly recommend.