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Future of USB 2.0/3.0 questions

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  • USB3
  • Components
  • USB
Last response: in Components
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December 5, 2013 10:58:45 AM

I learned about the developments for USB 3.1 or whatever they call the successor to USB 3.0 which is due to be released in 18 months. Even though it is twice as fast as USB 3.0, it will not be backwards compatible. I have a couple of questions regarding the future of both USB 2.0 and 3.0.

1. I am planning to build a gaming PC. I have Logitech gaming hardware which are all USB 2.0. Will PC gaming hardware manufacturers start requiring gamers to have USB 3.0 or 3.1 ports for their products or will they stick with USB 2.0?

2. I am considering either an ASUS Maximus VI Hero or Gigabyte
GA-Z87X-UD4H for the motherboard. Will the PCI Express x1, PCI Express 2.0 (x4, x8, or x16), or PCI Express 3.0 (x4, x8, or x16) bottleneck a USB 3.0 expansion card If I choose to add one on a future upgrade?

Thanks.

More about : future usb questions

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December 5, 2013 11:05:54 AM

USB 3.0A is compatible with 2.0 ports. As far as i know, but maybe I am wrong, USB 3.1 will have completely different ports so it won't be compatible with older 3.0 and 2.0.
And your 2.0 USB will work just fine in a USB 3.0A port.
Here you can see the pictures: http://content.answcdn.com/main/content/img/CDE/_USB3CO...
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December 5, 2013 11:06:33 AM

USB 3.1 will be backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0. So that is not an issue.

I think the USB 3.1 port difference will be mostly on the device ends or another way to allow the cable to plug either way. They did a decent job making USB 3 and 2.0 work together.

An x4 pci-e 2.0 or 3.0 slot should have the needed bandwidth for a USB 3.1 port.

An X1 @ 2.0 will actually hold back a single USB 3.0 port a bit.
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