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Sonnet Allegro 2-Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C PCIe 3.0 Card

BH #SOUSB3C2PME • MFR #USB3C-2PM-E
13 reviews
Sonnet Allegro 2-Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C PCIe 3.0 Card
Key Features
  • Adds Two 10 Gb/s USB Type-C Slots
  • Delivers 15W of Power per Port
  • Protected Ports
  • Resettable Fuses
The Allegro 2-Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C PCIe 3.0 Card from Sonnet supports data transfers at up to twice as fast as USB 3.2 Gen 1, and can also deliver 15W of power per port to USB Type-C bus-powered devices. It adds two 10 Gb/s USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) ports to your Mac Pro with PCIe slots, Windows PC, Linux computer, or Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion system. This PCIe computer card supports data transfers up to 960 MB/s when connected to a USB Type-C SSD RAID device. The ports communicate with the host that 3A of VBUS current is available, enabling this solution to support USB Type-C bus-powered SSDs and SSD RAID devices that need 15W during demanding write operations.
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USB Interface
USB Type-A
USB Type-C
Ports
2
4
8
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Sonnet Allegro Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2Regulates Power to Each Port
  • 3Resettable Fuses
  • 4PCIe Auto-Negotiation
  • 5Optimized for Thunderbolt
  • 6Easy Installation

The Allegro 2-Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C PCIe 3.0 Card from Sonnet supports data transfers at up to twice as fast as USB 3.2 Gen 1, and can also deliver 15W of power per port to USB Type-C bus-powered devices. It adds two 10 Gb/s USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) ports to your Mac Pro with PCIe slots, Windows PC, Linux computer, or Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion system. This PCIe computer card supports data transfers up to 960 MB/s when connected to a USB Type-C SSD RAID device. The ports communicate with the host that 3A of VBUS current is available, enabling this solution to support USB Type-C bus-powered SSDs and SSD RAID devices that need 15W during demanding write operations.

Regulates Power to Each Port
The Allegro card regulates its own power without requiring a back-of-the card power cable connection, thus enabling full compatibility in any computer or Thunderbolt expansion chassis that doesn't have these power connectors available. It regulates power to each port independently, giving each one protection from power glitches on the adjacent port. Without this protection (such as found on an ordinary card), connects and disconnects of one device may cause auto-disconnects of the other.
Resettable Fuses
The Allegro USB Type-C card features a resettable fuse on each port to protect the card and computer should there be a cable or peripheral failure. Should a fuse trip on the Sonnet card, you can reset it simply by shutting down the computer.
PCIe Auto-Negotiation
The Allegro USB Type-C PCIe features PCI Express auto-negotiation. The card automatically negotiates to a x1 data link in a PCIe 3.0 slot, and to a x2 link in a PCIe 2.0 slot, giving full bandwidth to both generations of PCIe slots, ensuring great performance in any configuration.
Optimized for Thunderbolt
The Allegro USB Type-C PCIe card is ideal for use in any Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe card expansion chassis, including Sonnet's Echo Express or xMac Thunderbolt to PCI Express card expansion systems, offering full performance wherever you install it.
Easy Installation
This PCIe card installs easily into any PCIe x4 (mechanical) slot; both low-profile and full-height mounting brackets are included. The card features hot-pluggable and hot-swappable device connection support with automatic device configuration, and works with all USB-IF compliant USB peripherals.
UPC: 732311012136

Sonnet Allegro Specs

General
Inputs/Outputs2 x USB-C 3.1/3.2 Gen 2
USB Bus-Power Support5 VDC at 3 A, 15 W per Port
Expansion Slot CompatibilityPCIe 3.0 x4
Slot CompatibilityLow-Profile
USB SupportUSB Attached SCSI Protocol
Software System Requirements
OS CompatibilitymacOS 10.10
macOS 10.12 or Later
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2016
Linux 4.12 or Later
*As of August, 2020: Check with manufacturer for the most up-to-date compatibility
Physical
CertificationsRoHS
*as per Manufacturer
Packaging Info
Package Weight0.285 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)8.6 x 5.4 x 1.35"

Sonnet Allegro Reviews

Mechanical Issues, may need mod to computer to work properly

By Gary
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-11

The install was very easy once the computer was Dremel ground so cable end could seat. I later cleaned this up but showing where you may have to remove some metal on the computer so that cables can seat into the USB C port. USB C is very critical to fully seat for a proper connection. Others have also run into this and simply moved the board over a bit to make it fit right. However, I wanted a more permanent solution and secure the card into the computer properly. Electrically, the board worked perfect for me. I have an ASUS mother board vintage (P5 Q?) about 8 years old. It installs into a standard slot, not the PCIE (express slot). I use this for the C-Fast card used in my 1DX Mk2, works great for the transfer of data. Seems very fast used with the Xcellon CR CFA312 card reader.

It does exactly what it should.

By Anthony
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-03-11

Worked on my PC, just plugged it in, no issues. I didn't check speeds, but downloading a XQD card went very quickly!

Seamless USB C Addition

By Charles
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-01-19

This card allowed me to seamlessly install two USB-C jacks into my older Intel Skylake based machine. I didn't have any issues with drivers, it was recognized and worked right away.

Works as it should

By James
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-12-06

I installed it, Windows 10 recognized it, and it works as it should. Faster backup for my media files and keeps the workflow with my older PC still viable.

Makes the work well

By jose
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-11-25

Just pug and play, very fast and I like the services that Sonnet have.

I love it.

By Lori
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-07-11

My mid-2010 Mac Pro is aging. That, and my ext. backup drives, only have FW800 and USB2. So, I bought this PCIe card and two USB-C external drives to backup all my stuff and futureproof me. Installing this card was an absolute breeze. (There's a great YouTube how-to.) Then, I backed up to one of my new USB-C drives and it was smooth and seamless. I'm very happy! Something I learned though, that is NOT the fault of the card, is that my Mac's ROM only recognizes a USB-C PCIe card after boot up, so you can't boot, say, a clone of your internal drive with it. That may be important to know for some people. Also, I thought I might see much faster transfer speeds, but the speeds were just a little faster than FW800. Could be because my new USB-C drives are only 540rpm, I'm not sure. So maybe don't expect dazzling speed improvements. I highly recommend this card.

Great product, poor instructions

By Lawrence
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-30

I am extremely happy with this PCIe card which added two USB 3.2 Type C ports on the back panel of my Z590 motherboard. It appears to be well made and fit perfectly in the bottom expansion slot, which is configured as 16x4. It requires a longer slot than the extremely short ones which are called 1x1 I believe. The instructions aren't clear on this or much else, they basically say put the card in a slot that fits and it should work. And that's true, apparently. Still a little more useful information would probably be helpful for people with installation problems. I had no problems at all and using a USB C to C cable I'm getting consistent transfer speeds over 500 MB/Sec. Surprisingly, this speed is unchanged using a USB C to A cable, as long as it's the correct cable for USB 3.1 or 3.2. The older USB 3.0 cables don't work properly and using the wrong cable reduced the data transfer speed from 520 MB/sec to 30 MB/sec. So, you need the correct cables. In most cases, the read or write speed of the devices being used will be the speed limiting factor, rather than the port itself. For example, my 7200 RPM NAS drives deliver about 220 MB/Sec, so that's all you're going to get through this port. A 2.5 inch SATA SSD will deliver about 550 MB/sec, so this port will just about keep up with that. NVME drives running at over 3000 MB/Sec will still be limited to around 500 by the port or associated cables.

Love it

By Daniel
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-04-29

This does exactly what it says it will do, which is rare. I use it in an HP Z840. I was having power issues with my regular USB3 ports at the back and tried this to take some of the load off. I was concerned that I'd need an extra power source for this card or that it wouldn't work in my very bottom PCIe slot (which is only 2x1, but my only available slot). Worked immediately without any issues.

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

will this work with the hp z840 ?

will this work with the hp z840 ?
Asked by: julius
I have it installed on my HP820 workstation, my machine has be working for years as my main video editing station, I bought the Sonnet allegro usb 3.2 to connect to the latest Samsung T5 drives that I use for video capture. I have not experienced any issue with external drive or any USB-C device with this card, I was willing to pay a little more for Sonnet product for the extra insurance of having technical support if need, no problem to date.
Answered by: Anonymous
Date published: 2022-01-25

question

if i connect this card to pcie 2.0 is it i will get same speed?
Asked by: Kamal
It runs 1x on a PCIe 3.0 and 2x on a PCIe 2.0 giving you full speed on either type.
Answered by: Reuben
Date published: 2021-02-26

Compatibility? Will it work with a Sabertooth X79 ...

Compatibility? Will it work with a Sabertooth X79 motherboard? Best to use a 2.0 or 3.0 slot?
Asked by: John
Yes, this will work on a 2nd generation ASUS Intel motherboard. It will auto negotiate the speeds available on your system.
Answered by: Michael
Date published: 2019-12-22

Can this card be installed into the new Mac Pro?

Can this card be installed into the new Mac Pro?
Asked by: sean
Yes, this card would work perfectly with the MacPro 2019 models.
Answered by: Moe
Date published: 2021-01-10

Will this work with PCI 1X Gen 2.0?

Will this work with PCI 1X Gen 2.0?
Asked by: FAHAD
Yes, the Sonnet Allegro 2-Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C PCIe 3.0 Card BH #SOUSB3C2PME can be installed on a PCIe x1 Gen 2 slot.
Answered by: Miguel
Date published: 2021-02-28

Will this work in the Synology Diskstation 1819+ ...

Will this work in the Synology Diskstation 1819+ PCI port?
Asked by: Shaun
This unit is not compatible.
Answered by: Reuben
Date published: 2020-01-15

question

If I use a USB-C to Thunderbolt Adapter from Apple with it, will I be able to read a Thunderbolt hard drive with my Mac Pro 5.1?
Asked by: Louis Thomas
The correct answer is ROUGHLY, no. However, the Promise Pegasus32 arrays will connect with TB3 or with USB-C. I bought this card to connect a Pegasus32 RAID to my venerable old Mac Pro 5.1. And it just works. And there is not much of a performance hit. I am getting 600MB/s writes, which is close to the performance ceiling for these drives.
Answered by: Andrew
Date published: 2019-12-07
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