StarTech.com TB31PCIEX16 User Manual
Displayed below is the user manual for TB31PCIEX16 by StarTech.com which is a product in the Notebook Docks & Port Replicators category. This manual has pages.
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Manual Revision: 08/04/2017
For the latest information, technical specications, and support for
this product, please visit www.StarTech.com/TB31PCIEX16.
FR: Guide de l’utilisateur - fr.startech.com
DE: Bedienungsanleitung - de.startech.com
ES: Guía del usuario - es.startech.com
NL: Gebruiksaanwijzing - nl.startech.com
PT: Guia do usuário - pt.startech.com
IT: Guida per l’uso - it.startech.com
TB31PCIEX16
Thunderbolt 3 PCIe x16 Expansion
Chassis with DisplayPort
*actual product may vary from photos
Instruction manual
FCC Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modications not expressly approved by StarTech.com could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
Industry Canada Statement
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe [B] est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)
Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other Protected Names and Symbols
PHILLIPS® is a registered trademark of Phillips Screw Company in the United States or other
countries.
This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other
protected names and/or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to
StarTech.com. Where they occur these references are for illustrative purposes only and do not
represent an endorsement of a product or service by StarTech.com, or an endorsement of the
product(s) to which this manual applies by the third-party company in question. Regardless
of any direct acknowledgement elsewhere in the body of this document, StarTech.com hereby
acknowledges that all trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, and other protected
names and/or symbols contained in this manual and related documents are the property of
their respective holders.
Instruction manual
i
Table of Contents
Product diagram ....................................................................................1
Back view...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Back view...................................................................................................................................................... 2
Package contents ...................................................................................2
Requirements .........................................................................................3
About Thunderbolt 3 .............................................................................4
Updates......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Connect multiple Thunderbolt 3 devices in a daisy chain ......................................................... 4
DP at mode (DisplayPort alternative mode).................................................................................... 4
Install a PCIe card ...................................................................................5
Connect the PCIe expansion box ......................................................... 5
Connect a display to the DisplayPort port .......................................................................................6
Connect a display to the Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port .................................................................... 6
Bandwidth allocation ............................................................................7
Troubleshooting ..................................................................................... 8
Technical support ...................................................................................10
Warranty information ............................................................................ 10
Instruction manual
1
Product diagram
Back view
Thumbscrew
Thumbscrew
Power adapter port
DisplayPort port
Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports
Instruction manual
2
Package contents
• 1 x Thunderbolt™ 3 PCIe expansion box
• 1 x Thunderbolt 3 cable
• 4 x rubber feet
• 1 x universal power adapter (NA/JP, UK, EU, ANZ)
• 1 x quick-start guide
Back view
LED indicator
Instruction manual
3
Requirements
• Host computer with a Thunderbolt 3 port
• PCIe card
• PCIe cards up to x16 in size are supported but only x4 lanes are used
• Half-length PCIe card standards are supported
• Graphic cards aren’t supported
• Any of the following operating systems:
• Windows® 10 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Windows 8 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• macOS 10.12
• AC electrical outlet
• Phillips type screwdriver
• Display or displays equipped with DisplayPort and the necessary cables (for
additional external display)
• Display or displays equipped with Thunderbolt 3 and the necessary cables (for
additional external display)
Note: To connect a second display, you must use one of the Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports
on the expansion box. To use the expansion box with HDMI, DVI, or VGA displays, you
may need to purchase additional adapters.
Video output capabilities are dependent on the video card and hardware specications
of your connected host laptop.
Requirements are subject to change. For the latest requirements, please visit
www.StarTech.com/TB31PCIEX16.
Instruction manual
4
About Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt 3 technology uses the USB-C connector and oers bandwidth speeds up
to 40Gbps. It supports USB 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, and PCI Express 3.0.
Thunderbolt technology supports both video and data throughput, but prioritizes
video bandwidth to help ensure seamless display performance. The performance
quality of the remaining expansion box functions depends entirely on the display
conguration.
You must use Thunderbolt 3 cables with any Thunderbolt 3 product.
Updates
The Thunderbolt 3 ports on your laptop might not function properly until you update
one or more of the following on your laptop:
• BIOS
• Thunderbolt rmware
• Thunderbolt 3 controller drivers
• Thunderbolt 3 software
The required updates will vary depending on your laptop. For an up-to-date list of
aected computers and instructions, visit www.thunderbolttechnology.net/updates. If
your manufacturer isn’t listed on the Thunderbolt website, contact your manufacturer.
Connect multiple Thunderbolt 3 devices in a daisy chain
You can connect multiple Thunderbolt 3 devices, including displays, in a daisy-chain
formation.
For example, you can connect a Thunderbolt 3 display to the Thunderbolt 3 USB-C
port on the PCIe expansion box. You can then connect another Thunderbolt 3 device
through the Thunderbolt 3 display that you connected to the PCIe expansion box.
DP Alt Mode (DisplayPort alternative mode)
DP Alt Mode is a specication that allows a DisplayPort video signal to be transferred
over USB-C. It enables the use of the USB-C interface for DisplayPort signals.
Thunderbolt 3 supports the full USB-C standard, including support for DP Alt Mode.
Because the PCIe expansion box supports DP Alt Mode, you can connect Thunderbolt
3 or USB-C based video devices, cables, or adapters to the secondary Thunderbolt 3
port on the rear of the docking station.
Instruction manual
5
Install a PCIe card
Warning! PC components can be severely damaged by static electricity. If an anti-
static strap isn’t available, discharge any built-up static electricity by touching a large,
grounded metal surface for several seconds.
1. Place the PCIe expansion box on its end with the thumbscrews pointing upwards.
2. Turn the thumbscrews clockwise and lift the end of the PCIe expansion box.
Note: If the thumbscrews are loosened suciently, the drawer will slide out of
the chassis as you lift it. If the drawer doesn’t slide out, continue to loosen the
thumbscrews.
3. Use a Phillips type screwdriver and remove the screw from one or both of the plates.
4. Align the PCIe card with the PCIe slot on the PCBA and carefully slide the PCIe card
into place.
5. Line up the PCIe card bracket with the mounting hole(s) on the expansion box and
insert the screw(s) that you removed in step 3.
6. Use a Phillips type screwdriver to tighten the screw(s).
7. Slide the drawer back into the PCI expansion box.
8. Turn the thumbscrews counterclockwise.
Connect the PCIe expansion box
1. Connect the universal power adapter to a power source and to the Power adapter
port on the PCIe expansion box.
2. Connect the Thunderbolt 3 cable to a Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port on the PCIe
expansion box and to a Thunderbolt 3 port on your computer.
Note: You don’t need to install drivers to use the PCIe expansion box, but the PCIe
card that you installed might require drivers. For more information about whether the
installed card requires drivers or additional installation steps, see the documentation
that came with the PCIe card or contact the manufacturer of the card.
3. In the New Thunderbolt devices pop-up message, click OK.
4. Next to the PCIe box, select Always Connect in the drop-down list, and click OK.
5. If necessary, connect peripheral devices to the DisplayPort port or Thunderbolt 3
USB-C port on the PCIe expansion box.
Instruction Manual
6
Connect a display to the DisplayPort port
The PCIe expansion box supports Display Port 1.2.
For more information about the adapters required to use dierent types of displays,
consult the table below.
Type of display Required adapter (sold separately)
DisplayPort None
HDMI Active converter
DVI Active converter
VGA Active converter
To view the active converters StarTech.com oers, complete the following:
1. In a web browser, navigate to www.StarTech.com.
2. On the left side of the screen, click Audio-Video Products.
3. Click DisplayPort converters.
4. Under Converter Type, click Active.
Connect a display to the Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port
You can connect a Thunderbolt display directly to the PCIe expansion box. To connect
other types of displays, you need to use an adapter.
Type of display Required adapter (sold separately)
Thunderbolt 3 None
DisplayPort USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter Cable (CDP2DPMM1MB)
HDMI Active converter
DVI Active converter
VGA Active converter
Instruction manual
7
To view the full range of USB-C video adapters and cables that StarTech.com oers,
navigate to www.StarTech.com/AV/usb-c-video-adapters/.
Note: Video adapters can limit the maximum available resolution. To determine the
maximum resolution your video adapter supports, consult the documentation that
came with the video adapter.
Bandwidth allocation
Thunderbolt technology carries video and data bandwidth, and it prioritizes video
bandwidth to help ensure seamless display performance. The performance of the
remaining ports (for example, the USB 3.0 ports) depends entirely on the display and
I/O (input and output) conguration that you are using.
When you connect multiple high-resolution displays, the PCIe expansion box needs to
allocate additional bandwidth to the displays and the extra bandwidth is reallocated
from the other I/O ports on the expansion box. In this situation there is less bandwidth
available for the remaining ports (for example, the USB 3.0 ports).
Video and I/O
conguration
DisplayPort
resolution
Thunderbolt 3
USB-C resolution
I/O bandwidth
remaining
Data only
(no displays) N/A N/A Download: 22Gbps
Upload: 22Gbps
DisplayPort
(single display
- 4K)
4096 x 2160p
(4K) N/A Download: 22Gbps
Upload: 22Gbps
Thunderbolt 3
USB-C
(single display
- 4K)
N/A 4096 x 2160p
(4K - 60Hz)
Download: 22Gbps
Upload: 22Gbps
DisplayPort and
Thunderbolt 3
USB-C
(two displays -
Dual-4K )
4096 x 2160p
(4K)
4096 x 2160p
(4K)
Download: 8Gbps
Upload: 22Gbps
Instruction manual
8
• The bandwidth values are approximate and depend on several variables including
the number, type, resolution, and refresh rate of your connected display(s).
• When you connect a display to one of the Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, depending on
the input of your display, you may require a USB-C video adapter.
Troubleshooting
If you’re experiencing issues, there are some quick tests that you can complete to
narrow down the source of the issue.
Update your computer to use Thunderbolt 3
Visit http://thunderbolttechnology.net/updates and look for your computer in the list
of aected computers. If your computer is listed, then you must update your computer
for its Thunderbolt 3 ports to function properly. To update your computer, follow the
instructions on the website or contact your manufacturer.
Verify that your components are Thunderbolt compliant
• Make sure that the port on your computer is Thunderbolt 3 compliant. Thunderbolt
3 uses the USB-C connector type, but not all USB-C connectors are compatible with
Thunderbolt 3. If you’re using a USB-C port that is not Thunderbolt 3 compliant,
switch to a port that is Thunderbolt 3 compliant.
• Make sure that all of your connected peripherals are Thunderbolt compliant. If you
use non-compliant cables or other peripherals in your setup, you could experience
an unstable or non-functioning setup. If you’re not sure if your cables and
peripherals are Thunderbolt compliant, check with the manufacturer.
Replace the Thunderbolt 3 cable
• Use the PCIe expansion box with a dierent cable that is Thunderbolt compliant.
Test the PCIe expansion box
• Use the PCIe expansion box in a second setup. If the expansion box works in the
second setup, then the rst setup is probably the source of the issue.
• Use a dierent Thunderbolt compliant PCIe expansion box, and see if it works.
Ideally, the second expansion box is one that you know works in other setups. If the
second expansion works in the current setup, then there is probably an issue with
the rst expansion box.
Instruction manual
9
Important operation notes
• Certain monitors may be limited to 4K at 30Hz when connecting through
DisplayPort. These monitors include the following models: Dell P2715Q, Viewsonic
VX2475Smhl-4K, Philips 288P6LJEB, LG 31MU97C-B, Asus PB287Q (these models will
need to be set to 4K at 30Hz).
Instruction manual
10
Technical support
StarTech.com’s lifetime technical support is an integral part of our commitment to
provide industry-leading solutions. If you ever need help with your product, visit
www.startech.com/support and access our comprehensive selection of online tools,
documentation, and downloads.
For the latest drivers/software, please visit www.startech.com/downloads
Warranty information
This product is backed by a two-year warranty.
StarTech.com warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship
for the periods noted, following the initial date of purchase. During this period,
the products may be returned for repair, or replacement with equivalent
products at our discretion. The warranty covers parts and labor costs only.
StarTech.com does not warrant its products from defects or damages arising from
misuse, abuse, alteration, or normal wear and tear.
Limitation of Liability
In no event shall the liability of StarTech.com Ltd. and StarTech.com USA LLP (or their
ocers, directors, employees or agents) for any damages (whether direct or indirect,
special, punitive, incidental, consequential, or otherwise), loss of prots, loss of business,
or any pecuniary loss, arising out of or related to the use of the product exceed the
actual price paid for the product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation
of incidental or consequential damages. If such laws apply, the limitations or exclusions
contained in this statement may not apply to you.
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