#Usb overdrive 3.0 update
#Usb overdrive 3.0 full

Are you craving for even more in depth information? Check out this article at Tech Republic: 10 things you should know about USB 2.0 and 3.0. Give it a year or two and you will be able to fully benefit from USB 3.0.įeel like you need more information? Computerworld has an excellent USB 3.0 review ( USB 3.0: The new speed limit), including tests of currently available USB 3.0 hardware. But we all know how speedy progress is in the IT world.

#Usb overdrive 3.0 full

Hence, USB 3.0 will not unfold its full beauty until computers are equipped per default with faster hardware, such as solid state drives. Magnetic hard drives for example, are limited by their RPM and the corresponding read/write speed. Speed LimitNaturally, not all devices will be able to make use of the increased speed in USB 3.0.However, using hubs, the maximum length can be extended to 18 meters. CableThe maximum cable length USB 3.0 supports is reduced to approximately three meters, opposed to five meters with USB 2.0.I was tempted to report that there is no bad news, but that's not true.

#Usb overdrive 3.0 update

Given its age, Windows XP will probably not receive an update to support the new interface. Support by Operating SystemsWindows Vista, Windows 7, and Linux already support USB 3.0.BenefitsThe devices that will benefit most from USB 3.0 are those that already outspeed USB 2.0, including HD webcams, Blu-Ray drives, or some external hard drives.With USB 2.0 this would take more than five minutes. With USB 3.0 you could transfer a 10 GB file from your computer to an external drive in approximately 25 seconds. Transfer RateNow I bet all this Megabit and Gigabit per second numbers sound impressive, but what does it actually translate to? Well, let me give you an example.However, you won't be able to use a USB 3.0 cable to connect a USB 2.0 device. Naturally, it will do so at the old USB 2.0 speed. So whether you get a new USB 3.0 device or a new computer that supports USB 3.0, your old device will be able to communicate with the new interface. CompatibilityUSB 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0.But what does it mean? Will you still be able to use your old USB hardware? How will the new USB technology affect your everyday life? What are the benefits? It contains an additional set of connectors, as illustrated in the image below. The plug, however, is a dead giveaway for USB 3.0.

While the cable was previously described to be thicker because it contains four more wires than USB 2.0, this appears not to be the case now.

Physical AppearanceThe above described specifications are also represented in the physical appearance of USB 3.0.

Briefly, USB 3.0 supports idle, sleep, and suspend states, as well as link-, device-, and function-level power management ( Wikipedia). With USB 2.0 the host controller used to look for active transfers, slowly draining power. As a result, idle devices won't experience a power drain since a signal from the device is required to initiate data transfer.

Power ManagementUSB 3.0 suspends device polling, which is replaced by interrupt-driven protocol.

In addition, the minimum device operating voltage was dropped from 4.4 V to 4 V, which saves energy. This exceeds USB 2.0 by 80% and leads to faster recharging or powering of more than four devices from a single hub.

PowerThe unit load has been increased to 150 mA and a configured device can draw up to six unit loads, which adds up to 900 mA.

Previous USB specifications did not support bi-directional data transfer. Two of five lanes are reserved for transmitting data, while another pair is dedicated to receiving data, meaning that USB 3.0 can read and write data simultaneously at full speed.

Data TransferUSB 3.0 introduces full duplex data transfer.The theoretical top signaling rate is at 4.8 G bps. Transfer RateThis new SuperSpeed interface provides realistic transfer rates of around 3,200 M bps or 3.2 Gbps.So what can you expect from USB 3.0 and how will it affect you? USB 3.0 SpecificationsĪ number of changes have been implemented in USB 3.0 to satisfy the increased demands of external devices.