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In my laptop (a Lenovo y470 ) there are three USB ports. One of those is USB 3.0 others are USB 2.0 . I do not know which one is what. When I copy data from my External HDD it transfers at 38MB/s from all of the USB ports. (Which is a good speed for USB 2 transfers, but to low for USB 3).

I used the device manager to confirm that I have one USB 3.0 port.

enter image description here

Is there a way a can figure out which port is 3.0 ?

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  • 8
    Is your external HDD a USB 2.0 or 3.0 one?
    – Journeyman Geek ♦
    Jan 1, 2012 at 14:42

9 Answers 9

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According the tech specs

Left side: two USB 3.0 ports, external monitor (VGA DB-15, HDMI), ethernet (RJ-45)

Right side: one USB 2.0 port and one eSATA/USB combo port

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76

They're BLUE!

I believe USB-3 ports should be colored differently (blue)

The use of blue pantone thermoplastics in USB 3.0 connectors is recommended on systems with a mix of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. For certification, the USB-IF does require that the user be able to clearly and easily distinguish between a USB 3.0 and a USB 2.0 port on a system; however, it is left to the system implementer on how to accomplish this.

(my emphasis)

Also, just because your Computer contains a USB 3 controller doesn't mean it necessarily is presented externally

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    Yup. Powered ports are yellow, USB3 are blue on lenovos
    – Journeyman Geek ♦
    Jan 1, 2012 at 14:42
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    I found blue usb port in my laptop :) Thanks. Would you please care to elaborate Also, just because your Computer contains a USB 3 controller doesn't mean it necessarily is presented externally ?
    – Rakesh Juyal
    Jan 1, 2012 at 16:13
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    This means that although the motherboard is capable of processing USB3.0 signal, a physical port might not be installed (usually, it's the case with desktops).
    – dnbrv
    Jan 1, 2012 at 16:46
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    @Rakesh: Sometimes a USB controller exists for internal devices (such as a laptop's webcam).
    – u1686_grawity
    Jan 2, 2012 at 8:35
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    Yep. This is the best answer. They are almost always colored differently. One exception are modern Macs, as one port can support both USB 2.0 and 3.0.
    – Josiah
    Oct 3, 2012 at 17:24
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On my HP laptop, USB 3.0 ports logo/symbol have an "SS" (for Super Speed). USB 2.0 ports only have the typical USB symbol with no "SS".

See the following image: http://www.usr.com/education/periphimg/USB-connectors-edu.png

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I have a generic answer for determining if a device is USB 3.0 capable, and if the port you're connected to is USB 2.0 or 3.0. Note that I've only tested this in Windows 8.1 on my Dell N4110 (the only system I have running currently).

Connect the storage device via USB, then go to "Devices and Printers". The first group is called "Devices" and will show any storage devices connected by USB.

If you select a USB storage device, you'll see a small information section at the bottom of the screen that shows the device "Model", "Category", and "Status".

If the device is connected to a USB 2.0 port and the device is USB 3.0 capable, then you will see the status "This device could run faster". Otherwise the status will read "Connected to USB 3.0".

Try every USB port on the device until you get the best result.

I've included a screenshot for clarity.

enter image description here

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  • Thank you, 'Connected to USB 3.0' status is the way to go
    – Mohsen Afshin
    Aug 3, 2016 at 5:40
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Some of the identifications for a USB 3.0

  • The USB 3.0 insert port has 5 leads (the USB 2.0 has only 4)

  • Some of them are named as SS with the USB symbol, means 'Super Speed'

  • The inserts may be colored with blue sometimes

Comparison picture: enter image description here

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  • 9
    USB 3.0 connectors actually have 9 contacts (4 + 5) or 11 (for devices that provide power)
    – RedGrittyBrick
    Sep 20, 2013 at 11:04
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I realize that your question goes to Lenovo laptop, but for completeness I'd like to mention that on Dell T3600 the ports labeled with SS and a USB icon are USB 3.0 ports. Ports with just the USB icon are USB 2.0 ports.

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Most devices that are USB 3.0 compatible will display a message whenever it is plugged into a USB 2.0 port, indicating that the transfer rate would be much faster if plugged into a different USB port. When you don't get the message in some of the USB ports, that is an indication that the port is 3.0 as opposed to those displaying the message, which are 2.0

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  • The message will depend on which OS and version you are running.
    – That Brazilian Guy
    Dec 14, 2013 at 1:11
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For the USB ports on my Dell laptop, the USB 2.0 ports have a USB symbol which is colored white. The 3.0 pots have a USB symbol which is colored red and have "SS" to the left side of the symbol.

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If you see "SS" ,then the USB is a SuperSpeed USB 3.0. If you do not see the "SS", the USB is the older, slower, USB 2.0.The USB 3.0 ports are probably on the left side

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