USB 2 cable = USB 3 cable?

Forums › Desktop computing › USB 2 cable = USB 3 cable?

Chainsaw

358 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 15

#99264 15-Mar-2012 15:49

I'm fairly sure a USB 3 device (such as a card reader) requires a special USB 3 cable to connect at USB 3 speeds and a USB 2 cable would only connect at USB 2 speeds. Am I right? (Naturally I'm connecting to a USB 3 port).

How to tell the cable types apart? Is it written on them?

gregmcc

2173 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 836

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#595680 15-Mar-2012 15:52

You would be right as USB3 has some extra pins in the plug/sockets

Oblivian

7345 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2117

ID Verified

#595695 15-Mar-2012 16:16

Seems its a bit of good luck if you find a USB3.0 certified cable.

Keep an eye out for blue ends. (not yellow like USB2)

Most standard USB cables go in, and fallback to 2.0 speeds. The sockets have additional sheilding (as later v2 did over v1). So both ends need an extra pin or 2 to get full use out of it.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/usb-3.0-superspeed-external-drive,2670-2.html

Chainsaw

358 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 15

#595817 15-Mar-2012 20:47

Thanks, and for that link. I thought the "Micro USB Type B Connector for USB 3.0" on my USB 3 external drive was an orphan, but it's a standard one it seems.

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10209

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#596344 17-Mar-2012 00:04

There is a mini in the specs aswell for 3.0, but thankfully it seems that noone is using it - dont even think that the plugs are getting made.

Richard rich.ms