StarTech 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT USB-C Multiport Adapter with 4K HDMI and 140W PD

Overview

The StarTech 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT is a compact aluminum-and-plastic USB-C multiport adapter that converts a single USB-C port into a full working dock: 4K 60Hz HDMI output, 140W USB-C Power Delivery passthrough, a 10Gbps USB-C data port, a 10Gbps USB-A port, and a USB-A 2.0 charging port — all from an 8-inch attached cable that keeps your desk tidy. If you're outfitting a mobile workstation or conference room laptop with a single USB-C connection and need external display plus simultaneous fast charging, this is the model to evaluate first.

It installs without drivers on any compatible OS, draws up to 15W from the host when bus-powered, and is sized to slip into a laptop bag without bulk (5.0 in × 1.3 in × 0.4 in, 2.8 oz). The space gray aluminum finish blends with most enterprise and creative hardware alike.

Key Features

• 4K 60Hz via HDMI 2.0: The HDMI port outputs at full 4K resolution at 60 frames per second — enough bandwidth for smooth video playback and crisp detail on a 27–32 inch 4K display. This matters when you're driving a presentation screen or secondary monitor from a thin-and-light laptop that has only one USB-C port. Single-display output only, so factor that in if you need multi-monitor.
• 140W USB-C Power Delivery (PD Rev. 3.2), 125W max laptop charge: The USB-C PD port accepts up to 140W from a wall adapter and passes up to 125W to the host laptop. That covers high-performance laptops that typically demand 90–140W — most USB-C hubs cap at 60–100W and force performance throttling. The extra headroom means your laptop stays at full clock speed under load.
• 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A data ports: Both the USB-C and USB-A data ports run on USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) — fast enough for NVMe enclosures, high-speed flash drives, and 10GbE USB adapters. If you're offloading large video files or running an external SSD, the full 10Gbps interface prevents the adapter from becoming the bottleneck.
• USB-A 2.0 with BC 1.2 charging (1.5A): The second USB-A port is a dedicated charging port following the Battery Charging 1.2 spec, delivering up to 1.5A. It won't handle high-speed data, but it keeps a phone or tablet topped off without consuming one of the 10Gbps ports for low-bandwidth accessories.
• Bus-powered with optional host adapter support: The 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT operates bus-powered from the host USB-C port for basic use, consuming up to 15W. When connected to a USB-C power adapter (required for full PD passthrough), the host adapter supplements bus power to deliver the full 140W PD budget. This dual-mode power architecture means you're not locked out of the adapter if you forget the wall brick.
• Driverless, OS-agnostic installation: No driver installation required — plug in and the ports are live. Reduces IT deployment friction in managed environments where driver approvals slow rollouts.
• Aluminum construction, 8-inch integrated cable: The aluminum shell handles daily desk-to-bag cycles better than all-plastic competitors. The 8-inch cable gives enough slack to reach a port on the back of a laptop stand without pulling tight.
• Operating range 0°C to 40°C, storage to 70°C: Rated for standard indoor environments. Not designed for outdoor or industrial-temperature deployments — plan accordingly for field kits or vehicle installs.

Integration and Compatibility

The 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT (often searched as 164B USBC MULTIPORT) connects to any USB-C host port running USB 3.2 Gen 2 or compatible. HDMI 2.0 output is compatible with any display accepting standard HDMI — no active adapter or special cable required. USB-C PD passthrough requires a 140W-capable USB-C power adapter connected to the PD input port; the adapter itself is not included. BC 1.2 charging on the USB-A 2.0 port works independently of the host power state on supported hosts.

For IT and AV integrators provisioning conference rooms or hotdesk stations, pair this adapter with a USB-C docking and connectivity accessory bundle to standardize across mixed-laptop fleets. The driverless operation fits Group Policy-managed Windows environments and macOS deployments without additional endpoint configuration.

If your deployment needs dual external displays, a wired LAN port, or card reader slots, step up to a full-featured USB-C docking station — the 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT is intentionally compact and covers the most common single-display use case without the bulk or cost of a full dock. For further guidance on matching adapters to host power requirements, the USB-C power delivery buying guide covers PD negotiation and wattage planning in detail.

Browse the full StarTech connectivity line for compatible cables, hubs, and docking solutions. For multi-port PoE and switching needs in AV or security rack builds, see the managed and unmanaged network switch category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT support dual external displays?

A: No. The adapter supports a single external display via the HDMI 2.0 port at up to 4K 60Hz. If you need dual external monitors, a full USB-C docking station with multiple display outputs is required.

Q: How much power does the USB-C PD port actually deliver to the laptop?

A: The PD input port accepts up to 140W from a wall adapter, and the adapter passes a maximum of 125W to the host laptop for charging. This covers most high-performance laptops that require 90W or more. The wall adapter is not included.

Q: Is the 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT bus-powered or does it require an external power supply?

A: It is bus-powered for basic operation, drawing up to 15W from the host USB-C port. For full 140W PD passthrough to the laptop, a USB-C power adapter must be connected to the PD input port. The adapter itself is not included.

Q: What is the data transfer rate on the USB ports?

A: Both the USB-C data port and the USB-A port run at 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2). The second USB-A port is USB 2.0 and is intended for charging (BC 1.2, up to 1.5A), not high-speed data transfer.

Q: Does this adapter require driver installation?

A: No. The 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT is driverless and works on compatible operating systems without any software installation. Plug into a USB-C host port and the ports activate immediately.

Q: What is the warranty on the 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT?

A: StarTech covers this adapter with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Jerry Tildsen

The spec that stands out on the 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT is the 140W PD input with 125W laptop passthrough — that's meaningfully higher than the 60–100W ceiling you see on most compact adapters, and it's the difference between a laptop running at full thermal envelope versus throttling down to protect the battery during sustained workloads. For a mobile workstation user running CPU-intensive applications off a single USB-C port, that headroom is not a luxury.

Technical Highlights:

• USB-C PD Rev. 3.2 at 140W in / 125W out: Supports the full Extended Power Range (EPR) spec, covering laptops that previously required proprietary barrel connectors to hit their rated wattage. Few adapters in this form factor match that ceiling.
• Dual 10Gbps ports (USB-C + USB-A, USB 3.2 Gen 2): Both data ports run at full 10Gbps simultaneously — critical when you're pairing an external NVMe drive with a 10GbE dongle or running two high-throughput peripherals without splitting bandwidth between them.
• HDMI 2.0 at 4K 60Hz: The 18Gbps bandwidth of HDMI 2.0 handles 4:2:0 chroma at 4K/60 — adequate for most external monitor use cases. Not HDR10 at full bandwidth if the display demands 4:4:4 chroma at 4K/60, so verify display signal requirements for color-critical workflows.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 8-inch integrated cable is long enough for most laptop orientations but may run short if the host port is on the back of a docking riser or monitor arm mount — measure before deploying at scale across desk configurations.
• Operating temperature is rated 0°C to 40°C. This is an indoor-only device; don't spec it into vehicle or field kit deployments where ambient temperatures can exceed that range.

The 164B-USBC-MULTIPORT is the right pick for hotdesk and conference room standardization projects where the goal is a minimal-cable single-adapter solution: one connection to the laptop, 4K display, fast charging, and 10Gbps peripherals — without deploying a full docking station at every seat.