USB Connections
#1
Member
Thread Starter
USB Connections
What is the difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ?
I am trying to decide which external hard drive to get for mirror image back-up. Most of the drives seem to have USB 3.0. Will the USB 3.0 work on an older PC?
I am trying to decide which external hard drive to get for mirror image back-up. Most of the drives seem to have USB 3.0. Will the USB 3.0 work on an older PC?
#2
Group Moderator
3.0 is faster. They are backward compatible in that a 3.0 device can connect to a 2.0 port but you will only get 2.0 speed.
#3
As stickshift mentioned, USB 3.0 is faster than USB 2.0. In the "real world", USB 2.0 will give you a maximum sustained transfer rate of ~35MB/s, whereas USB 3.0 (connected to a USB 3.0 port) will not limit the transfer rate (it will be whatever the drive itself is capable of maintaining).
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the help. I am good to go. Transfer speed will not be an issue since I am retired and have plenty of time to wait. Thanks again.