1. Introduction
This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your Trotwei Blue SSU-10P-SATA3 10 Port SATA PCIe Expansion Card. Please read this manual carefully before installation to ensure proper functionality and to prevent damage to your system components.
2. Product Overview
The Trotwei Blue SSU-10P-SATA3 is a PCI Express x1 to SATA 3.0 controller card designed to expand your system's storage capabilities. It features 10 SATA 3.0 ports, each capable of data transfer speeds up to 6Gbps, allowing simultaneous connection of up to 10 large-capacity SATA storage devices (SSDs or HDDs). The card utilizes an ASMedia chip for enhanced compatibility and stability, complemented by an enlarged heatsink for efficient thermal management. Its PCI-e x1 interface uses immersed gold technology for improved contact and data transmission, and it is compatible with PCI-e X1, X4, X8, and X16 slots.
Image 2.1: The Trotwei Blue 10 Port SATA PCIe Expansion Card shown with included SATA cables and power splitter cables.
3. Package Contents
Verify that all items listed below are included in your package:
- 1x Trotwei Blue SSU-10P-SATA3 10 Port SATA PCIe Expansion Card
- 10x SATA Data Cables
- 1x SATA Power Splitter Cable
- 1x Driver Software CD
- 1x User Manual
Image 3.1: Visual representation of the expansion card, 10 SATA cables, driver CD, user manual, and SATA power splitter cable included in the package.
4. Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Trotwei Blue |
| Model Number | SSU-10P-SATA3 |
| Interface | PCI Express x1 |
| SATA Ports | 10x SATA 3.0 |
| Data Transfer Rate | Up to 6Gbps per port |
| Chipset | ASMedia (ASM1061 + JMB575*2) |
| Operating System Support | Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10 (32/64bit) |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 4.72 x 3.7 x 2.28 inches (12 x 9.4 x 5.8 cm) |
| Weight | 9.9 ounces (0.28 Kilograms) |
Image 4.1: The physical dimensions of the expansion card, showing length (12cm/4.72in), width (9.4cm/3.70in), and height (5.8cm/2.28in).
Image 4.2: A detailed view of the expansion card highlighting the ASMedia chip (ASM1061+JMB575*2) responsible for its functionality.
5. System Requirements
- Available PCI Express x1, x4, x8, or x16 slot.
- Operating System: Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 (32-bit or 64-bit editions).
- SATA storage devices (HDD/SSD) to connect.
- Power supply with available SATA power connectors.
6. Installation
6.1 Physical Installation
- Power off your computer and disconnect the power cord.
- Open your computer case.
- Locate an available PCI Express slot (x1, x4, x8, or x16).
- Remove the corresponding slot cover from the computer case.
- Carefully insert the Trotwei Blue SSU-10P-SATA3 card into the PCI Express slot, ensuring it is seated firmly.
- Secure the card with a screw to the computer case.
- Connect your SATA storage devices to the SATA ports on the expansion card using the provided SATA data cables.
- Connect the SATA power splitter cable to your power supply and then to your SATA storage devices, ensuring all devices receive adequate power.
- Close your computer case, reconnect the power cord, and power on your computer.
Image 6.1: The expansion card correctly installed in a PCIe slot on a motherboard, with multiple SATA data cables connected to the ports.
Image 6.2: A detailed view of the 10 SATA ports and the heatsink on the expansion card, indicating where SATA data cables should be connected.
6.2 AHCI Boot Switch
The card features an 'AHCI Boot' / 'No Boot' switch. This switch determines the card's boot behavior. For most modern systems and operating systems, the 'AHCI Boot' setting is recommended. If you encounter boot issues or if your system does not recognize the card, try switching to 'No Boot'.
Image 6.3: A close-up view of the small switch labeled 'AHCI Boot' and 'No Boot' on the expansion card, used to configure the card's boot behavior.
7. Driver Installation
For optimal performance and to utilize all 10 SATA ports, driver installation is required. Without drivers, the card may only support up to 2 connected disks.
- After physical installation and booting into your operating system, insert the provided driver software CD into your optical drive.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the necessary drivers for the ASMedia chipset.
- Alternatively, if you do not have an optical drive, you may need to download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website. Refer to the packaging or product page for specific download links.
- Restart your computer after driver installation is complete.
Image 7.1: This image illustrates the card's compatibility with various PCIe slots (X1, X4, X8, X16), SATA 3.0 (6Gbps) and SATA 2.0 (3Gbps) speeds, and supported Windows operating systems (XP, 7, 8, 10).
8. Operation
Once the card is installed and drivers are in place, your operating system should detect the connected SATA storage devices. You can then manage these drives through your operating system's disk management tools. For new drives, you may need to initialize, partition, and format them before use.
The card supports standard SATA operations. Note that this card does not support RAID functionality.
9. Maintenance
The Trotwei Blue SSU-10P-SATA3 expansion card requires minimal maintenance. To ensure longevity and optimal performance:
- Keep your computer's interior clean and free of dust to prevent overheating of components, including the expansion card's heatsink.
- Ensure proper airflow within your computer case.
- Avoid physical shock or excessive force on the card or connected cables.
- Regularly check for updated drivers from the manufacturer's website to ensure compatibility and performance improvements.
10. Troubleshooting
10.1 Drives Not Detected
- Check Physical Connections: Ensure the expansion card is fully seated in the PCIe slot and all SATA data and power cables are securely connected to both the card and the drives.
- Driver Installation: Verify that the correct drivers for the ASMedia chipset have been installed. Remember that more than 2 drives require driver installation.
- BIOS/UEFI Settings: Check your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure the PCIe slot is enabled and configured correctly. Some older motherboards may require a BIOS update for full compatibility with newer PCIe devices.
- AHCI Boot Switch: Experiment with the 'AHCI Boot' / 'No Boot' switch on the card.
- Power Supply: Ensure your power supply can provide sufficient power to all connected drives and the expansion card.
- Drive Compatibility: This card is primarily designed for HDDs and SSDs. Combining it with optical drives (CD/DVD/Blu-ray) on the same card may lead to detection issues for some storage devices. It is recommended to use motherboard SATA ports for optical drives if issues arise.
10.2 Slow Performance
- SATA Cable Quality: Ensure you are using high-quality SATA 3.0 cables.
- Driver Status: Confirm that the latest drivers are installed.
- System Load: High CPU or memory usage can impact drive performance.
10.3 System Instability/Crashes
- Power Supply: An insufficient or unstable power supply can cause system instability, especially with multiple drives.
- Overheating: Ensure adequate cooling within your computer case. Check the heatsink on the expansion card for dust buildup.
- Driver Conflicts: Ensure no conflicting drivers are installed.
11. Warranty and Support
For warranty information and technical support, please refer to the documentation provided with your purchase or contact the seller directly. Keep your proof of purchase for warranty claims.