can I use a docking station?

Like more than a few others I'm plagued with "not enough controller resources" when trying to add peripherals. My Dell XPS 8700 has six 3.0 and four 2.0 USB ports. But with a USB printer, router, wireless keyboard and mouse, two external DVD writers (for copying between discs), I don't have enough ports left for all the external hard drives I want to use. I've tried several combinations of hubs but I can only get three hard drives to be recognized due to controller resources.

I read something about a docking station having more resources to add to a system but the articles seem to be talking only about smartphones and tablets. Is there anyway to use a docking station in conjunction with hubs to actually increase the amount of controller resources? Thanks.

That does seem like a fairly small amount of devices to hit the endpoint limit unless all your devices are USB 3.0.

If you're running out of USB endpoints then you have to add a new controller. Since you have a desktop machine that's simple with a PCIe USB card, like https://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Expr.../dp/B011LZY20G .

A docking station may still only have a USB hub - even my fancy $200 Thunderbolt dock only has a built-in hub and not a controller so it wouldn't help your situation. I don't even know if there are any docking stations with built-in USB controllers but it's theoretically possible.

One article I read discussed hooking up a hub to a docking station to add more controller resources, but I may have misunderstood it.

I'll look into the PCI-E card. I assume I have an unused slot since nothing's been added to the motherboard yet. That's something I'd have to take to a computer tech since many of the Amazon reviews complain about the Roswell not lining up with the slots in the motherboard, and some claim it's not compatible with Windows 10. If I have it done in a shop they'd be able to check out that it actually works correctly and has the correct driver.

The Rosewill card was just an example - I don't have any experience with it. There's plenty of cards to choose from so feel free to pick something you're more comfortable with.

But installing a PCIe card is dirt simple and Amazon is fairly accommodating with their return policies...

Why not just get a USB 3.0 hub? That will instantly add more ports. The PCI-E card is the same as adding a hub, to be honest.

Your router shouldn't be consuming any USB ports on your computer, though.

DeaconFrost said:

Why not just get a USB 3.0 hub? That will instantly add more ports. The PCI-E card is the same as adding a hub, to be honest.

No, it's not the same as adding a hub. There is a limit to the number of endpoints a single controller can support - that includes devices hooked up through hubs. Maximum USB Device Count on Intel 8 Series Cont... |Intel Communities

A USB 2 hub might help though. Not Enough USB Controller Resources? - Plugable

larrydonline said:

One article I read discussed hooking up a hub to a docking station to add more controller resources, but I may have misunderstood it.

Yes you did...as a docking station is just for quick access to HDD's to move data back and forth. They do not add USB port or resources.

I have a docking station and use it all the time but mine is very different then most. Mine is built into my case.....and what a convenience that is. Just drop in either 2.5 or 3.5 inch HDD and in less then 5 seconds, system sees it and I have access to it. Once I'm done, I simply just remove my HDD as my built in docking station is set up for hot swapping.

As suggested and I think it's your best option, is to get a PCI card w/more USB ports. Simple and easy to install and if installed on the right PCI bus it may be on its own lane. All that means is it wont have to share "resources".

Thanks for all the discussion. Deacon you're right about the router. It just uses the ethernet connection and no USBs.