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I was thinking about that as well. So there’s basically nothing on the market that can reach close to those speeds other than those powered TB3 HDDs?Caerus wrote: ↑Doesn't really matter if it's a SATA SSD or NVMe for these. It's using a USB 3.0 connection. Both would be limited to 5Gbit anyway because of the interface.
I guess this would be more for it's tiny size, rather than the performance compared to other portable SSDs.
Here's another 480GB Adata SSD. USB 3.0 so same speed. Bigger physical size than the PNY, more of a rugged design build. Currently has a $10 off coupon. So $69.99 https://www.amazon.ca/ADATA-SD600Q-Ultr ... =8-34&th=1
Well there are other ways. But the USB standards that were supposed to make everything simplified and easier to understand, ended up the opposite and made a confusing mess out of everything.schmeerskahoven wrote: ↑ I was thinking about that as well. So there’s basically nothing on the market that can reach close to those speeds other than those powered TB3 HDDs?
Yeah, I have no idea what they were thinking. It just got worse and worse. Then they started combining things and renaming them. Now barely anything makes sense when they were supposed to be making it simpler.jayjaywong wrote: ↑ Thank you for taking the time! Not the first time I read abt the standards and def wont be the last time cos its confusing af.
Upvote for your effort and your comment "they should have fired everyone" tht i cant agree more
I feel you.. and I am pretty sure they think they are doing an excellent job there. The USB team in charge is like 🤪🤪🤪
Thank you for this write-up, actually explained alot of confusion around the protocols. What I don't understand is, why is the cable length getting shorter with each evolution?Caerus wrote: ↑ Well there are other ways. But the USB standards that were supposed to make everything simplified and easier to understand, ended up the opposite and made a confusing mess out of everything.
Just remember that USB-C isn't a USB standard. It's just the connector type at the end of a plug. USB-A is the old rectangle connector. Think of the letters (ie: A, C) as the connector type, and the numbers (ie: 3.0, 3.1) as the protocol standard.
Start just with SSDs though. A SATA SSD will always max out at 6Gbit. NVMe will continue to increase in speed.
USB 3.0 is a 5Gbit standard. So a SATA SSD or NVMe will be limited by that standard.
USB 3.1 (originally, before they renamed it...) is a 10Gbit standard. It still can use a USB-A (big old rectangle), or USB-C (newest connector) plug. But USB 3.1 would give a SATA SSD the full 6Gbit speed it supports, and a NVMe drive 10Gbit. SATA SSDs would then be full speed, but NVMe would still be limited as they can go much faster than USB 3.1. USB 3.1 and beyond is when SATA SSDs and NVMe will perform differently. So that's when you should pay attention to which type of SSD drive you have.
Now the names and speeds when you hit USB 3.2 are when things get more stupid and so confusing that they should have fired everyone. I'll just add this photo because explaining it would be a headache for everybody.
USB Names.PNG
USB 3.1 isn't actually USB 3.1 anymore, USB 3.2 Gen 1 is slower or equal to the old USB 3.0 and USB 3.1... etc.
SATA SSDs can be full speed with USB 3.1 (original, 10Gbit version) Using a USB-A or USB-C connector.
NVMe SSDs will "require" USB 3.2 Gen 2 and beyond to give it enough bandwidth. Primarily using a USB-C connector as that's just what will be used going forward.
But keep in mind, Thunderbolt 3 also uses a USB-C connector. Remember the difference between the USB standard and the USB connector.
In terms of speed:
Thunderbolt 1 is the same speed as USB 3.1 (10Gbit).
Thunderbolt 2 is the same speed as USB 3.2 (20Gbit).
Thunderbolt 3 is the same speed as USB 4 (which should start to come out in 2021). This is 40Gbit.
So to spend way too much time answering your question, and confusing the hell out of everyone, yes, USB can give the full speed of SATA SSDs and NVMe SSDs. It just depends on which USB standard, the release year, which bloody name they decide to call it at any given time, and which plug they decide to use...
That's the length of cable for each USB standard that will ensure the full bandwidth without any problems or errors occurring. Cables can be longer, but they'll need to have additional testing and certifications to ensure they will still support the rated speeds. I guess with each new standard and speed increase, they're having to decrease the cable length to prevent degradation.
How about USB 3.4 Gen 5X2++ ?redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ USB 4 is looking promising, whatever they choose to call it. (...)
