[btarunr]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

Makes it slightly cheaper though. I heard Panther Point will have USB3 integration, is that true?

Nope, it will just increase the die area and TDP of the already big PCH, and Intel will add it to its costs.

Panther Point has a 2-port USB 3.0 controller that is multiplexed between two hubs of the USB 2.0 controller to give four USB 3.0 ports. Speeds will suck, if there are more than two bandwidth-heavy devices connected.

On the other hand, using a number of 2-port controllers ends up being bandwidth-efficient, and those NEC/Renesas 2-port controllers have become dirt-cheap after getting competition from ASUS (ASMedia).

Originally Posted by csendesmark

When you are buying a motherboard for $700 it really doesn't matter.

Yup.

Originally Posted by csendesmark

I just noticed it, and would be better from software side, because Intel driver usually great!

I know, that is no speed difference between 3rd party and built in controllers.

Intel's USB 2.0 controller "driver" isn't much more than OHCI driver with name strings for the controllers.