USB 3 information

clayto · 25 Aug 2017

Having just acquired a USB 3 Hub and a couple of devices for my 2-in-1 hybrid PC, I would welcome some information about their operation. If the Hub or device, such as a card reader / writer or DVD burner, is plugged into the PC's native USB sockets will they run at USB 3 speeds? I suspect not, if it is not a U3 motherboard? Is this right?

However, I do have one USB 3 socket with a USB 3.1 cable, for charging. I was told it does not transmit data, or if it does it will only be speed 2. But I can read memory cards OK with it. I do not know if the images are transmitting as USB 2 or 3, it could be 3. Should I be easily able to detect a difference in speed? The images load almost instantly even when plugged in to other sockets. I have not tried the effect on the Hub yet as I assumed I would need another cable with the special USB 3 plug, and have just it this moment realized I do have an appropriate cable so I will try that. now. I guess that I might notice speed differences with the USB 3 DVD reader / writer I am expecting in about a week.

I hope this makes some sense?

sygnus21 · 25 Aug 2017

If the laptop (not familiar with 2-in-1 desktops) supports USB 3, and most modern laptops do, and your devices, as well as the cable, is USB 3.0, then you're good to go.

It basically works like this, in order to get 3.0 speeds, everything in the chain (port, cable, device) needs to be 3.0. If one item is say 2.0, then everything in that chain will run at 2.0 speeds. Going the other way, if the port and device doesn't support 3.1 speeds, than the device will run at the slowest speed the in the chain. Thus if device and cable is 3.0, but the port is 3.1, the speeds will run at 3.0.

Hope this helps.

Phone Man · 25 Aug 2017

Check the ports on your PC. Black plastic on inside is 2.0, Blue is 3.0.
You can download USB View program and it will show lots of information about each port and will show the speed it is running when a device is plugged in.

http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtreeview_e.html

Jim

clayto · 27 Aug 2017

Thanks both, that is helpful. The one thing I am not clear about is the USB 3.1 cable and connections. The connections are blue at one end but not the other ---- a micro USB 3, type C, and not blue. The C port is also not blue inside. I can run the 3.1 Hub OK from it, but don't yet know if it runs faster than 2. If not, it is still good to know my Cube 10.1 inch 2-in-1 tablet PC has another working USB source, 4 in all in addition to Hubs. This is unusual I think, for 10.1 devices. (There is a new MS Surface costing thousands more with only 1 USB port). Being able to connect and expand seems good compensation for some of the limitations of a 2-in-1.

Berton · 27 Aug 2017

In addition to the blue parts of USB 3 there may be the USB trident logo near the port, if it is USB 3 it will usually have an SS on it. SS = SuperSpeed

Phone Man · 27 Aug 2017

Type C plugs/connectors are not color coded but is a different shape. My guess is your hub will run at USB 3.0 speed.

Did you try that program I linked to and see what speed that port shows with your hub plugged in?

USB 2 = High Speed
USB 3 = superspeed
USB 3.1 = superspeed+

Here is what it looks like on my system with my external disk.

clayto · 27 Aug 2017

No, neither are visable.

clayto · 28 Aug 2017

Here is the USB Tree. I will be interested in your interpretation.

ArazelEternal · 28 Aug 2017

sygnus21 said:

If the laptop (not familiar with 2-in-1 desktops) supports USB 3, and most modern laptops do, and your devices, as well as the cable, is USB 3.0, then you're good to go.

It basically works like this, in order to get 3.0 speeds, everything in the chain (port, cable, device) needs to be 3.0. If one item is say 2.0, then everything in that chain will run at 2.0 speeds. Going the other way, if the port and device doesn't support 3.1 speeds, than the device will run at the slowest speed the in the chain. Thus if device and cable is 3.0, but the port is 3.1, the speeds will run at 3.0.

Hope this helps.

Good explanation.

Phone Man said:

Check the ports on your PC. Black plastic on inside is 2.0, Blue is 3.0.
You can download USB View program and it will show lots of information about each port and will show the speed it is running when a device is plugged in.

http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtreeview_e.html

Jim

Not all USB 3 ports are blue. For example, all four USB 3 ports on my Dell Precision are black, just like USB 2 ports. The difference is, they all have SS near the USB trident symbol.

sygnus21 · 28 Aug 2017

ArazelEternal said:

Not all USB 3 ports are blue. For example, all four USB 3 ports on my Dell Precision are black, just like USB 2 ports. The difference is, they all have SS near the USB trident symbol.

While there's always exceptions to the rule, 90+ percent of USB 3.0 ports are blue. However, to add to what you say, my 2017 Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga X1 features 3 USB 3.0 ports and they're all black; but I suspect that's in keeping with the theme of the notebook.

But again, most USB 3.0 ports and 3.0 cable ends are blue (depending on cable end).

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