USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It is a device used to attach to keyboards, mice, and printers, basically any external device to the computer. USB is also used to charge portable devices. It is a device used for communication, power supply, and connections between computers and peripherals. There are many versions of USBs, and four generations of them have been launched till now. Two of them are USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.
Key Takeaways
- USB 3.0 offers faster data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps, while USB 2.0 has a maximum speed of 480 Mbps.
- USB 3.0 provides improved power management features compared to USB 2.0.
- USB 3.0 connectors are backwards-compatible with USB 2.0 devices and ports, ensuring versatility.
USB 2.0 vs USB 3.0
USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 are two versions of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, with USB 3.0 providing significantly faster data transfer rates and improved power management compared to USB 2.0.
USB 2.0 was introduced in the year 2000. It was a better version of USB 1.0 with better speed and features. Though later, USB 3.0 was launched with much better features. USB 2.0 is also known as Hi-speed USB. It supports half-duplex communication. And have an On-The-Go supplement feature.
USB 3.0 was introduced in the year 2010. It is the third version of the USB. Its speed is ten times faster than its old version with many improvements, and therefore it is known as Superspeed USB. Its data transfer rate is up to 5 Gigabits per second. And it can both transmit and receive the data.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Launched In? | It was launched in the year 2000. | It was launched in the year 2010. |
| Speed | The maximum speed is 480 Mbps. | The maximum speed is 5 Gigabits per second. |
| Power | It delivers a 500 mA amount of power. | It delivers a 900 mA amount of power. |
| Color Significance | The USB 2.0 comes with the port of black color. | The USB port of 3.0 is blue. |
| Cost | It is less costly than USB 3.0. | It is more costly than USB 2.0. |
What is USB 2.0?
USB 2.0 is the second version of the USB, which is a device that establishes connection and communication between computers. USB 2.0 has been in use since April 2000, when it was launched. Hi-speed USB or High Bandwidth is also the name used for USB 2.0. This version was better than its previous version. The Speed is more of this version than that of USB 1.0.
The data transmission rate of this version is 480 Megabits per second (Mbps). This is the maximum data transfer rate through 280 Mbps is the practical data transfer rate. And the amount of power it delivers is about 500 mA.
Also, USB 2.0 has 4 connector wires and supports half-duplex communication. It is a one-way communication USB. It has an On-The-Go supplement feature. It is a feature that allows two USB devices to communicate with one another, and they do not require a separate USB host.
Its cable length is up to five meters. And the standard black color is used for its port to distinguish it from other versions. Since this is an older version and there are many new versions with better features, it is not used much these days. And so its price is low as well.
What is USB 3.0?
USB 3.0 is a much-improved version and is the 3rd version in the USB versions. This version was launched in 2010. Because of its high-speed rate, it is also called super-speed USB. The manufacturers distinguish between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 by giving the USB 3.0 the initial SS, which stands for SuperSpeed.
The data transfer rate of this version is 5 Gigabits per second. And the power it delivers is of the amount 900 mA. The speed of the USB 3.0 is 10 times faster than that of USB 2.0. Also, a new feature is added, which is called Stream protocol. Within an endpoint, a large number of logical streams are allowed through this feature.
Also, the bandwidth of the USB 3.0 is increased. It is a full-duplex system and uses two unidirectional data paths. One data path is to receive the data, and the other path is to transmit the data. Also, it has 9 connector wires. And its cable length is up to three meters. The USB port of the USB 3.0 is given a blue color to distinguish it from the other versions.
USB 3.0 is used mostly these days because of the improved features. However, it is more costly than its older versions. After the 3rd version, i.e., USB 3.0, two more versions of this 3rd generation have been launched: USB 3.1 and USB 3.2.
Main Differences Between USB 2.0 And USB 3.0
- USB 2.0 has a slower data transfer rate than USB 3.0, and it is up to 10 times slower.
- USB 2.0 is called high-speed USB. On the other hand, USB 3.0 is called a super-speed USB because of its speed.
- USB 2.0 is the preceded version of USB 3.0.
- USB 2.0 is in use since its launch year 2000, while USB 3.0 was launched in 2010.
- USB 2.0 is half-duplex, having only one-way communication, while USB 3.0 is full-duplex.
- USB 2.0 is lesser in price than USB 3.0.
- To distinguish the USB from the outside, the port of the USB 2.0 is given the standard black color while USB 3.0 is given the blue color.
- 4 connector wires are used in the USB 2.0, while USB 3.0 has 9 connector wires.
- https://www.mindshare.com/files/resources/mindshare_intro_to_usb_3.0.pdf
- http://mobilewill.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/04/Introduction20to20USB203.020Protocol.pdf
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5403002/
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The development of USB 3.0 has changed the landscape of data transfer and power delivery significantly when compared to USB 2.0.
The increased speed and power efficiency of USB 3.0 make it the standard of choice for current and future computer peripherals.
Absolutely, USB 3.0 enables faster and more reliable data transfer between devices, and its backward compatibility is a crucial feature for users.
The USB 3.0 is a significant improvement over its predecessor, USB 2.0. Its faster data transfer speeds and improved power management features make it more versatile and useful for many purposes.
I agree! The USB 3.0 has revolutionized the way we use external devices with our computers.
The backward compatibility of USB 3.0 with USB 2.0 devices is a major advantage of this newer standard.
The introduction of USB 3.0 marked a significant advancement in peripheral connectivity and data transmission, maintaining its relevance in today’s technology-driven world.
Indeed, USB 3.0’s high-speed capabilities and enhanced power delivery justify its position as the industry standard for modern devices.
Each USB generation brings substantial improvements over its predecessors, making them essential for modern technology.
The comparison table provides a clear overview of the differences between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, showing the significant advancements made in the newer standard.
The features and improvements of USB 3.0 over USB 2.0 highlight the continuous evolution of technology and its impact on enhancing user experiences.
The distinct differences in performance and power delivery between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 showcase the advancements achieved in peripheral communication standards.