Key Takeaways
- USB 3.0 has a maximum data transfer rate of 5 Gbps, while USB 3.1 has two generations: USB 3.1 Gen 1 with the same speed as USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 2 with a faster speed of 10 Gbps.
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 introduced the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) standard, allowing for higher power delivery and faster charging of compatible devices.
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 also includes improved protocols and features, resulting in enhanced data encoding, power efficiency, and overall performance compared to USB 3.0.
What is USB 3.0?
USB 3.0, or SuperSpeed USB, is the third major version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard for connecting devices to computers. It was released in 2008 and provided faster data transfer rates and improved power management compared to its predecessor, USB 2.0.
USB 3.0 has a maximum data transfer rate of 5 Gbit/s (625 MB/s), about 10 times faster than USB 2.0. It also introduces new connectors and cables that are backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports but provides additional contacts for faster data transfer and improved power management.
What is USB 3.1?
USB 3.1, also known as SuperSpeed+ USB, is the fourth major version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard for connecting devices to computers. It was released in 2013 and provided even faster data transfer rates and improved power delivery compared to its predecessor, USB 3.0.
USB 3.1 has two versions: Gen 1 and Gen 2. USB 3.1 Gen 1 provides the same data transfer rate as USB 3.0 (5 Gbit/s), while USB 3.1 Gen 2 offers a maximum data transfer rate of 10 Gbit/s (1250 MB/s), about twice as fast as USB 3.0.
Difference Between USB 3.0 and 3.1
- USB 3.1 provides faster data transfer rates than USB 3.0. While USB 3.0 has a maximum data transfer rate of 5 Gbit/s, USB 3.1 Gen 1 provides the same data transfer rate, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 offers a maximum data transfer rate of 10 Gbit/s, twice as fast as USB 3.0.
- USB 3.1 introduces a new connector called USB Type-C, which is smaller and reversible compared to the larger, rectangular USB Type-A connector used by USB 3.0. USB Type-C is also more versatile, supporting not only USB 3.1 but also other protocols such as Thunderbolt 3 and DisplayPort.
- USB 3.1 provides improved power delivery compared to USB 3.0. USB 3.1 Gen 1 can deliver up to 4.5 watts of power, while USB 3.1 Gen 2 can deliver up to 100 watts, allowing it to charge larger devices such as laptops.
- USB 3.1 is backward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 devices, meaning that you can use USB 3.1 cables and connectors with older USB devices but at slower data transfer rates.
- USB 3.1 includes several improvements to the USB protocol that provide faster and more efficient data transfer, including better data encoding and more efficient use of bus bandwidth, resulting in faster transfer speeds and reduced power consumption.
Comparison Between USB 3.0 and 3.1
| Parameters of Comparison | USB 3.0 | USB 3.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Data Transfer Rate | 5 Gbit/s | 10 Gbit/s |
| Encoding scheme | 8b/10b | 128b/132b |
| Bus utilization | 80% | 98.4% |
| Maximum Power Delivery | 4.5 Watts | 100 Watts |
| Connector types | Type-A, Type-B | Type-A, Type-B, Type-C |
- http://ethesis.nitrkl.ac.in/4704/
- https://download.tek.com/document/55W-26809-0%20USB%203%200%20Cable%20Test%20MOI%20_0.95__0.pdf
Last Updated : 21 July, 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.
