USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Compatible?

[roxined]

Hello,
I am looking to buy another EHD (Portable) and I am looking at one that says it is USB 3.0
My computer is older so I know that it has USB 2.0 ports (or whatever they are called). If I purchase an EHD that has USB 3.0 will I be able to plug into my USB port? Will it work? I don't understand the whole thing?

 

[Pyree]

You will be able to use the USB 3.0 HDD. USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0.

But your slow USB 2.0 port will not be able to run the fast USB 3.0 HDD at the fast USB 3.0 speed so that your USB 3.0 HDD will be just as slow as USB 2.0 HDD.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

This topic has been moved from the section Opinions and Experiences to section Storage by Area51reopened

 

[Totempole]

If you can get a USB3.0 Hard drive for the same price or cheaper than a USB2.0 Hard Drive, then go for it.

A USB 3.0 Hard Drive in a USB 2.0 port it will perform exactly the same as a USB2.0 Drive in a USB 2.0 Port, but will have the added advantage of boosted performance in a USB3.0 Port.

Maybe this will be easier to understand:

USB2.0 Drive + USB2.0 Port = USB 2.0 Speeds
USB3.0 Drive + USB2.0 Port = USB 2.0 Speeds
USB2.0 Drive + USB3.0 Port = USB 2.0 Speeds
USB3.0 Drive + USB3.0 Port = USB 3.0 Speeds

Bottom line is that USB2.0 and USB3.0 are 100% compatible with one another, it's
just the performance that will vary.