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I have a couple of new USB 3.0 devices which connect to my USB 3.0 ports via the new "Blue" USB 3.0 cables that end in what looks like a USB 2.0 Type A connector. Indeed, the USB 3.0 devices will also work in the USB 2.0 ports.

So, I have some USB 2.0 extender cables. While I obviously can run the USB 3.0 devices over the USB 2.0 cables, will I be able to get the USB 3.0 speeds or do I need to get the specific USB 3.0 cables - to get the maximum transfer speeds?

It's not the cost - you can get the cables cheap. It's just understanding how the end-to-end system works (and the "in case of emergency - break glass" effect).

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3 Answers

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USB 3.0 is electrically different from USB 2.0 - it has extra connectors/wires designed in such a way as to gracefully plugged into a USB 2.0 connector - they're located on the 'tongue' where there's nothing on a USB 2.0 connector

enter image description here

As such connecting a USB 3.0 port to a USB 2.0 extension to a USB 3.0 cable will result in usb 2.0 speed, since the extra connectors will not be connected to anything in the USB 2.0 extension cord on either end.

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Don't worry folks... Set USB 3.0 controller to USB 2.0 only seems to provide the answer.

The answer is - to get USB 3.0 speeds you need a USB 3.0 cable because of the extra connectors involved...

Paolo

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er.. actually, his question involves running USB 3.0 as USB 2.0, rather than cables. – Journeyman Geek Aug 4 '12 at 9:03
@Journeyman Geek: Yes, but the answer - which according to Geoff and Joel is what this site is about - gives the solution to My question. Once I'd read the answer I had a closer look at my USB 3 connectors and saw the additional connectors - which, naturally (on the male plug), are not located in the tongue; that's where the original USB 2.0 connectors are. They are located orthogonally to the tongue - in the interstices between and around the original four connectors. But thanks for the picture, it really shows them off well on the socket side. – PaoloFCantoni Aug 5 '12 at 23:49
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The maximum cable length USB 3.0 supports is reduced to approximately three meters, opposed to five meters with USB 2.0. However, using hubs, the maximum length can be extended to 18 meters.However the pin layout is different and using USB 2.0 Cables will allow maximum transfer of USB 2.0

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Thanks. Does that mean if I add a 3m extender to the original 1m cable, I'll get significant speed degradation - or shouldn't I worry about it for that distance? – PaoloFCantoni Aug 5 '12 at 23:51
Yes you would definitely get a speed degradation. You would essentially only run at USB2.0 Speeds If you use a USB2 Cable. There are USB3.0 Extenders however. – David Murray Aug 6 '12 at 6:11
Hi David, I realise that would be so using a USB 2.0 cable. I meant if I added a 3m USB 3.0 cable. I've got a choice of purchasing 1m, 1.5m or 3m extension cables - I think I really need a 2m one :( 3m would give me the most flexibility, but if it significantly drops the throughput, it would be a simplistic solution. – PaoloFCantoni Aug 7 '12 at 7:35
That is correct Paolo, As far as I understand, you would still receive the same data throughput regardless of length. Anything over 3M would need a hub. – David Murray Aug 7 '12 at 10:21
OK, but that means if I have a 1m base cable and a 3m extender - giving me 4m overall, then I need a USB 3.0 hub. The point of my question was - I know the Standard says that, but in a practical sense, can I get away with it? Does anybody have any real world experience to suggest that most devices and cables can push the 3m (hubless) out to 4m, perhaps 5m? – PaoloFCantoni Aug 7 '12 at 10:34

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