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[SUCCESS] Gigabyte Designare Z390 (Thunderbolt 3) + i7-9700K + AMD RX 580

brousseau6933 said:
- I've read a bit this thread and noticed some members have some USB problems, it's a no-go for me but maybe it is specific to their particular hardware or configs. In my case, I will go with iMacPro 1,1 SMBIOS as I don't need the iGPU at all. Are there other users experiencing something like audio dropouts, freezing with USB, specifically doing audio work? BTW, I'll stay with Mojave 10.14.6 (just put the actual DAW SSD and replacing the EFI with correct files). Specifically asking @jleahy2 and @kellymac12?
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I've not encountered actual USB audio dropouts since High Sierra. However, back then, I also had a USB Audio Interface, so, that makes sense. I switched over to a thunderbolt audio interface because of that issue, and I've never actually had an audio-dropout since. *However*... I absolutely still do incur random USB dropouts. Due to my audio interface being thunderbolt, it doesn't drop out, but keyboard, mouse, etc do until I reboot. It seems to happen way less frequently for me than it does for other people on here. I can go days at a time without seeing the issue, however, others on here I've noticed have the issue happen nearly constantly.



kellymac12 said:
CC: @CaseySJ @jleahy2

I have to be honest, at the moment USB stability is pretty poor for me. However, there are a great many other users who are finding this exact setup perfectly stable etc. so YMMV. Beginning to wonder whether it might be something to do with my iLok key - if you don't use an iLok as part of your setup then you might be perfectly alright. Or it might be another of my peripherals/hubs. You may need to buy a TB3 dock to achieve stability - I'm going to report back on that asap. Bit of an unknown!
Click to expand...

I do not have/use a physical iLok key. I use their iLok software though, which does install some sort of active service on the system. I've often wondered if there may be some correlation in their service/software that's causing a potential issue.



bmoney said:
I'm curious- has anyone tried a usb3 PCI card?
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I have not, but that's actually a really good idea. I suppose it would depend on if the card had a different on-card controller, or if it just simply somehow passed that back to the board's controller? I'm not familiar with those cards, but... it would seem to me that it would need it's own controller? Maybe that would solve the issue?

If anyone knows of one that's compatible, I'd def be down to try it and see if it makes any difference. It would be ideal to be able to get a card that allowed the use of the keyboard/mouse on it too (and also worked under windows), but I'm not sure if that's possible or not.
 
Main Audio/Software Production Box
Z390 DESIGNARE |  i9 9900K |  Radeon Other
I used on of these for years in my 5,1 for USB3 with no issues.

Sonnet Technologies Allegro USB 3.2 PCI Express Card

Adds four USB 3.0 ports to your system, transfers data up to 5Gb/s, and supports USB 3.0 bus-powered devices. Compatible with Mac and PC.
eshop.macsales.com eshop.macsales.com

This could work and well especially if the ports are dedicated.
The big question is: do the usb2 ports and usb3 ports on the designaire have separate controllers? If this is the case I assume less likelihood of victory.
 
aczfenderstrats said:
OMG I am so sorry....proper cable and it works fine...what a waste of forum real estate. lol

Thank you for setting me straight!
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Glad it worked out. USB-C cables are confusing. They're not all the same!
 
CaseySJ said:
Hello Patrice,

I'll let others comment on USB stability and will instead address your remaining questions:
  • BIOS F9g is a good choice. The newer F9h should be avoided due to a small number of serious issues having been reported.
  • There is no Serial or Parallel port on the Z390 Designare, so nothing to worry about in that regard.
  • With Mojave, we can safely use OcQuirks and FwRuntimeServices that are located in this post.
  • Good idea to install Windows first, which serves to confirm whether hardware is properly assembled, fans are under control, and temperatures are normal.
  • Regarding thermal paste, you'll get many answers, but I apply a pea-sized amount of Arctic Silver MX4 (you're absolutely free to select something else). If you look at a green pea, you'll see that it's bigger than a "drop", but smaller than a marble.
    • The first time I did this, I took a green pea out of the freezer to judge the size! :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for your insights CaseySJ, really appreciated.
 
kellymac12 said:
CC: @CaseySJ @jleahy2

I have to be honest, at the moment USB stability is pretty poor for me. However, there are a great many other users who are finding this exact setup perfectly stable etc. so YMMV. Beginning to wonder whether it might be something to do with my iLok key - if you don't use an iLok as part of your setup then you might be perfectly alright. Or it might be another of my peripherals/hubs. You may need to buy a TB3 dock to achieve stability - I'm going to report back on that asap. Bit of an unknown!
Click to expand...
No iLok for me but a bunch of USB devices. Thanks for the report...
 
bmoney said:
I used on of these for years in my 5,1 for USB3 with no issues.

Sonnet Technologies Allegro USB 3.2 PCI Express Card

Adds four USB 3.0 ports to your system, transfers data up to 5Gb/s, and supports USB 3.0 bus-powered devices. Compatible with Mac and PC.
eshop.macsales.com eshop.macsales.com

This could work and well especially if the ports are dedicated.
The big question is: do the usb2 ports and usb3 ports on the designaire have separate controllers? If this is the case I assume less likelihood of victory.
Click to expand...
Could be a solution. I have old PCIe (two of them) USB3 first gen cards. I know that I have to install GenericUSBXHCI kext to make them work however. It's not the case for the Sonnet?

Oh, and BTW, there is a single USB3 first gen port on my PCIe USB 3.1 card (one port 3.1 and the other one, USB-C 3.2). I could buy a USB3 hub and connect it maybe...
 
CaseySJ said:
@jleahy2 @bmoney

USB 3.x PCIe cards have their own controllers, completely separate from the Intel PCH XHC controller on the motherboard.
Click to expand...

@jleahy2 @bmoney I think Asmedia chipsets are natively supported by macOS - @CaseySJ will be better placed to confirm or deny. Inateck, ULANSEN and Sedna cards on Amazon profess to be compatible with MacPro5,1. I've ordered two and a TB dock - will try the PCIe cards first, and see how I get on, and then go for the TB dock as a last resort...
 
kellymac12 said:
@jleahy2 @bmoney I think Asmedia chipsets are natively supported by macOS - @CaseySJ will be better placed to confirm or deny. Inateck, ULANSEN and Sedna cards on Amazon profess to be compatible with MacPro5,1. I've ordered two and a TB dock - will try the PCIe cards first, and see how I get on, and then go for the TB dock as a last resort...
Click to expand...
ASMedia is supported on macOS.

I have the following Inatek 4-port USB 3 PCIe card in my 2008 Mac Pro that works natively. Uses a Fresco Logic controller.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I027GPC/?tag=tonymacx86com-20
 
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