USB 3.0 Port on HP Dv7 - Four Port 3.0 or 2.0 Decision?

[steve7777]

I have a functional USB 3.0 port on my pc. It is connected to a 2T WD MyBook. Moves GB's at lightning speed.
1)Would like to get 4 port 3.0 external hub to plug into one of the 4 pc ports.
2)However - given the price difference, could get by with a 2.0 now, since the 2T drive provides my need for speed.
3)So big question is: Since most devices including my pile of FD's are still 2.0 (I'm assuming a 2.0 device will run at 2.0 speed when connected to a 3.0 device), and "3.0 4 ports" are a bit pricey, should i just get a 2.0 4 port and enjoy the leisurely pace for a while?

Would appreciate your thoughts and comments. ~>()

 

[Phone Man]

Yes your 2.0 devices will run at 2.0 speeds on a USB 3.0 port. The USB 3.0 standard port has two physical circuits (one for 2.0 and one for 3.0) Pins 1-4 is for 2.0 and 5-9 is 3.0. That is why older 2.0 devices will run on 3.0 ports. The controller can determine what is connected and set the proper protocol.



Jim

 

[jimbo45]

I have a functional USB 3.0 port on my pc. It is connected to a 2T WD MyBook. Moves GB's at lightning speed.
1)Would like to get 4 port 3.0 external hub to plug into one of the 4 pc ports.
2)However - given the price difference, could get by with a 2.0 now, since the 2T drive provides my need for speed.
3)So big question is: Since most devices including my pile of FD's are still 2.0 (I'm assuming a 2.0 device will run at 2.0 speed when connected to a 3.0 device), and "3.0 4 ports" are a bit pricey, should i just get a 2.0 4 port and enjoy the leisurely pace for a while?

Would appreciate your thoughts and comments. ~>()

Hi there

a USB3 drive will work when plugged into a USB2 port -- might even work slightly quicker too than the USB2 device since it can easily run at max usb2 speed with oodles to spare whereas a USB2 device might not drive the USB2 port at full speed anyway.

However the difference between USB3 and USB2 is so HUGE go for the USB3 devices.

You can get portable USB3 self powered Passport 2 TB drives now for around 120 USD (pocket size 2 TB drives) and these are really fast on the USB3 port. These are just like the older passport 1 TB USB2 self powered drives although hugely faster.

A PCI card with 2 USB3 ports can be had for around 12 USD. If and when you need more just buy a USB3 4 port hub -- I use one of these on my laptop which has 1 USB3 port and it still works blindingly fast with 4 USB3 drives connected including an Intenso 3 TB drive and 3 passport 2 TB drives so 9 TB of online storage !!!).

Your best solution is one USB3 2 port hub for the mobo and a 2 or 4 USB2 port for legacy devices (actually your mobo should already have some USB2 ports --you just need to connect to case or the adapter which you bolt on to the back of the case.

For a laptop a 4 port USB3 Hub works 100% OK as I've explained above. No reason also why this won't work on a workstation too.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[steve7777]

usb 3.0 okay

It seems to me that going with the 3.0 4 port will take care of needs for 3.0 devices. The 2.0 devices are legacy and will eventually be replaced. The 3.0 speed is hard to beat.
Thanks