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User profile for user: john from palm harbor
john from palm harbor Author
User level: Level 1
34 points

MacMini- Proposed total system Block Diagram

Will this setup work?


Am not a gamer, nor do I do vid/photo/music editing.


  1. Intend to connect one monitor and one drive to each USB-C channel.7ZOOK
    1. Am concerned about Channel A and Channel B USB-C 3.1 bandwidth for both drives and both monitors, and figure that both drives do better not going thru a hub.
      1. Existing USB SuperDrive to use an existing a USB-C 3.1 to USB 3.0 adapter.
      2. But will buy a USB-C external SSD for direct connect to MM.
      3. (Note: I could use a recommendation for a 256Gb or 500Gb EXTERNAL SSD, which would be bootable , once T2 chip is disabled; its only purpose is for a full CarbonCopyClone of my internal SSD.)
    2. I have the Insignia NS-PCH431 USB 3.0 (in and out) powered hub and assume it will handle:
      1. both cams
      2. mic
      3. printer


  • I plan to use HDMI port for a third (future) 43" 4K TV monitor, I hope...


  • Will use the"spare" USB 3.0 for a "multi" Hub (not purchased yet) for:
    • SD card
    • Micro SD card
    • Thumb Drive
    • 3.5mm earbuds
    • dongles?
    • etc.


This is how I see the setup. Will it work OK?


Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 22, 2020 6:22 AM

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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
84,850 points

Posted on Sep 22, 2020 10:29 AM

Your mileage will very with different USB devices, but I do not see a problem if you wanted to add more devices to the USB-C buses. In reality you should also be able use a self-powered USB-C to USB 3.0 hub where you have the SuperDrive or SSD and add more USB devices to it without any problem.


Generally I stick with USB 2.0 devices on one hub and USB 3.0 devices on the other. I also only use self-powered hubs, to prevent overloading the power of any bus.


If the cameras do not like being on the same hub or bus, then simply move one to an available ports on another hub.


FWIW I detest those finicky Apple SuperDrives and prefer using LG USB CD/DVD drives instead.

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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
84,850 points

Sep 22, 2020 10:29 AM in response to john from palm harbor

Your mileage will very with different USB devices, but I do not see a problem if you wanted to add more devices to the USB-C buses. In reality you should also be able use a self-powered USB-C to USB 3.0 hub where you have the SuperDrive or SSD and add more USB devices to it without any problem.


Generally I stick with USB 2.0 devices on one hub and USB 3.0 devices on the other. I also only use self-powered hubs, to prevent overloading the power of any bus.


If the cameras do not like being on the same hub or bus, then simply move one to an available ports on another hub.


FWIW I detest those finicky Apple SuperDrives and prefer using LG USB CD/DVD drives instead.

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User profile for user: john from palm harbor
john from palm harbor Author
User level: Level 1
34 points

Sep 22, 2020 9:35 AM in response to den.thed

Yes,

Thanks for your reply.

I have been running the two 4k TVs off of diffente buses, as apple direct. No problem.


However, I'm more interested in how those two buses will handle the addition of the super drive on one bus and the external SSD on the other BUS, and will there be enough bandwidth on each bus to accommodate a monitor and a drive.


Additionally, do you see any problem with running the the cameras, mic and printer off of a USB 3.0 4 port hub connected to one of the MM USB 3.0 ports?



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MacMini- Proposed total system Block Diagram

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