Usb-c cables vs thunderbolt 3 cables

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clifford64

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May 18, 2014
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I did some searching on the internet and I couldn't find an absolute answer as to if there is a difference. I know usb-c cables are an interface, but does that mean all usb-c cables are thunderbolt 3 compatible? If they are not, what is the physical difference in the cables that makes a usb-c cables an ordinary USB cable while a thunderbolt cable is capable of so much more?

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k1114
There is some info about that cables that I don't fully know about and if they affect it; the chips and circuitry at the ends to be specific. Past usb and other cables don't have that. If it's a usb 2.0 type c cable, it will be missing wires but 3.1g2 and tb3 will have the same wires. The wire gauge is standardized. The resistor could be different to change power capabilities. Cable length will affect signalling. Tb3 40Gbps cable has to be <.5m. Usb 3.1g2 can be up to 1m.
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k1114

k1114

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May 2, 2010
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No as cables have different capabilities. Usb 3.1g2 itself has different power standards, 15w and 100w, and there are many standards that use usb c. Thunderbolt 3 compatible cables should work with it all. Tb3 has higher specs than any of the other specs. For the most part you should be fine because the cables will be labeled for what it can handle. As the same as past usb versions, some things aren't standardized and creates a mess but manufacturers tended to know people just see usb and think it all works so gave the full spec cables to handle it all. There are actually cables that weren't compliant with minimum standard specs causing them to burn and amazon and other retailers banned them from being sold.

Type c cables are electronically marked. They have a chip in them to ID their capabilities and also a resistor on each end for the correct power that it can deliver. New usb c devices should also have a protocol to confirm authenticity so it doesn't burn up as we already saw with older usb c devices without the protocol and those non compliant cables. Plugging in a lower capable cable should either not work or run at lower power/speed.
 
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clifford64

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May 18, 2014
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So then what is the physical difference between the cables? Does a thunderbolt 3 usb-c cable have more wires than a regular one? What allows it to carry more data and such? Because if there are no physical differences, then how can they be different?
 
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k1114

k1114

Titan
May 2, 2010
14,240
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75,540
There is some info about that cables that I don't fully know about and if they affect it; the chips and circuitry at the ends to be specific. Past usb and other cables don't have that. If it's a usb 2.0 type c cable, it will be missing wires but 3.1g2 and tb3 will have the same wires. The wire gauge is standardized. The resistor could be different to change power capabilities. Cable length will affect signalling. Tb3 40Gbps cable has to be <.5m. Usb 3.1g2 can be up to 1m.
 
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