Usb 3.0 Recommended Pci-e card? Issues related to pairing controllers.

[-=AJAX=-Major_Meatwad]

After searching Vive and Steam forums and technical support I cannot find an official thread stating recommended/tested PCI-E usb 3.0 cards. (oops found it in https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8566-SDZC-9326 ) but not obvious at all in forums.

My background includes 3 weeks of frustration with VIVE of intermittent non pairing devices. Firmware updates, constant plugging in usb 2.0 wired port to controller using vive usb charging cable,pairing-repairing, vive headset reboot via developer mode, reboots of windows and hardware power cycling, booting with controller plugged in usb 2.0 steam vr restarts in various combinations, First time install took 8 hours to get acknowledged. Then seemed fine for a few days. But pairing issues sometimes require an hour or more to find lucky combination. I also occasionally get HTC vive(speakers) glitching. I Primarily use ETRON usb 3.0 ports. Btw I had same issues with usb 2.0 onboard port and am afraid it is driver issue with that as well.

The hand controllers pairing seem to be hardware issues and sometimes hard crashes to grey screen/system lockup. There is no consistency as It can go for hours in one day and the next day back to playing games with the pairing. I hoped with firmware updates and time it would improve but it hasn't.
Many cursings have ensued!

Current hardware used :RX480 Vive Q9550 8gb g41chipset Etron usb 3.0 win7x64 clean install.
I did find this thread on reddit to help with issues : https://www.reddit.com/r/Vive/comments/4dnvzc/psa_things_to_try_if_youre_having_controller/
I bought the Reddit claimed Steam/vive/Oculus recommended Inateck USB 3.0 card and it will arrive this Saturday hoping to alleviate this issue.

https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Express-Connector-Controller-Internal/dp/B00E59W1G8/ref=sr_1_5?srs=9123884011&ie=UTF8&qid=1494540492&sr=8-5&keywords=usb+pci-e

(actually I got the Inateck 7 port variant) based on the same FL1100EX chip set (Fresco Logic) 3 variants made to accommodate different setups.

I am hopeful this will resolve the problem for these reasons. Usb 3.0 cards are known for being plagued with amperage/current problems. Usb sleep/drive issues, Audio latency/stuttering external issues/device recognition problems. Especially with windows 10 which required audio device driver rewrites to deal with new audio issues(Suspiscious interrupt changes which were probably nefarious spy audio capture routines injected into windows 10 kernels) It is also known that USB 3.0 is known for latency issues/data buffering versus usb 2.0 having a constant stream of data. Essentially a buffering issues specifically with USB 3.0.

I do recall seeing Etron usb 3.0 in manual stated by htc. So I assumed I would be ok. There is also known issues with the ASUS suite of utility software and some onboard USB 3.0 is notorious for problems unless it is intel controller.

I am hopeful this new Fresno Logic FL1100EX chip set alleviates these issues. I saw that the driver on disk is recommended over windows automatic driver install.
I can seriously see current/ampere regulation and data buffering causing severe issues with the VIVE and especially the Oculus Rift with 3 needed usb 3.0 ports.

One thing I find odd is that when you manually plug in controller into wired usb 2.0 port, it doesn't automatically pair like the ps3 does. Seems like that would be a quicker reliable way. Maybe sony owns patent to process?

I know I am not the only one with this pairing insanity issue but there has to be a better source than reddit for answers and solutions. Likewise, this is even more frustrating as I can easily pair a ps3 controller to a generic Bluetooth 3.0 dongle.

HTC really blew it with this as it is hardware related and designed a system that is very particular with USB. Oculus I would expect but VIVE with low bandwidth? They should at least sell an usb card that is compatible or create a tested card list and drivers. It is most likely timing related.
Pairing should be easy!
Makes me hesitant to buy any software if the pairing is so sensitive. I need to isolate this issue first.

I will get Inateck 3.0 card this Saturday and hopefully by Sunday have this installed and resolved or give feedback on experience so others having same issue can alleviate.

If this doesn't resolve it, then this is likely a serious hardware/driver defect. I have 2 other machines I can test setup on eventually to prove point.

[--ranXerox--]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E59W1G8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[--ranXerox--]

i use that exact one!

[-=AJAX=-Major_Meatwad]

Escrito originalmente por --ranXerox--:

i use that exact one!

Did this inateck USB 3.0 2x2 internal card fix any issues with pairing?

I ordered the 5+2 $28 version. The one you ordered is for cases with USB 3.0 connections.

[--ranXerox--]

you need usb 3.0. if you are using usb 2.0 or usb 3.0 and still have issues. try disabling the camera as these speeds might be too slow for the vive. could be driver or hardware related. I purchased this incase my motherboard was bad. I have no issues with pci-e or the usb streight from the motherboard.

[-=AJAX=-Major_Meatwad]

Update: Installed Inateck KTU3FR-5O2U fresco logic 7 port pci-e card. I downloaded latest drivers: windows ver. 3.6.9a and it Immediately found controllers with no random pairing issues after 2 days.
PROBLEM SOLVED!
After 10 hours so of play, there is less hard lockups. Not as many programs crashes and control alt delete to close hung ap works then restart steam vr and you are good to go. No reboot or hardware repower needed.
Just the usual cursing of developer not VIVE versus the insane lottery of wishful magic prayer controller bouts of madness.
WHEW!
Now if only the games were less prone to failures.

In short: It finds the controllers quickly and easily as if this is the way it was designed.
Anxiety levels down!
For anyone having pairing issues, Please spend the $20-27 for a Inateck USB 3.0 fresno logic card. Your sanity deserves it.

P.S BTW, the USB 2.0 had similar problems as the Etron USB 3.0 card. Inateck is the solution.

[--ranXerox--]

great! i hope you have a 1080. try a few higher end games like raw data. download the openvr and set your supersampling to 1.4 for improved sharpness.

[-=AJAX=-Major_Meatwad]

Escrito originalmente por --ranXerox--:

great! i hope you have a 1080. try a few higher end games like raw data. download the openvr and set your supersampling to 1.4 for improved sharpness.

I have advancedvrsettings. I am at 1.2 supersampling on RX480's. Multiple machines in house so I have to budget accordingly.
So far the controller pairing issues are fixed and there is more stability.

I hope someone benefits from my experience and invests in the Inateck.