Re: hub
You would be better off buying the USB 2.0 PCI card.
If your PC only has USB 1.1 capabilities then plugging in USB 2.0 equipment (including external hubs) will work but only at USB 1.1 speeds (c. 12 Mbps). If you want the higher speed of USB 2.0 (c. 480 Mbps) then you will need to install a USB 2.0 PCI card in your PC anyway as I have already pointed out. Then if you plug in USB 2.0 equipment (including external hubs) then you will also benefit from the faster speeds.
The EverythingUSB FAQ that I posted earlier will probably answer most questions that you have about USB 1.1/2.0.
You would be better off buying the USB 2.0 PCI card.
If your PC only has USB 1.1 capabilities then plugging in USB 2.0 equipment (including external hubs) will work but only at USB 1.1 speeds (c. 12 Mbps). If you want the higher speed of USB 2.0 (c. 480 Mbps) then you will need to install a USB 2.0 PCI card in your PC anyway as I have already pointed out. Then if you plug in USB 2.0 equipment (including external hubs) then you will also benefit from the faster speeds.
The EverythingUSB FAQ that I posted earlier will probably answer most questions that you have about USB 1.1/2.0.