"This is because USB 3 adds fives new data lanes to the existing USB 2’s four, allowing for simultaneous upload and download of data"

Why exactly could we not just do that in the first place when they were designing USB.

So USB3 and SATA 6GB/s have somewhat the same bandwidth. But SATA is still better because it uses a different protocol and stack.

USB3 might be good only for the odd external HDD (only for data storage, not for keeping software installed on although it works somewhat).

Also if SATA3 is equivalent to PCIe 1x, might make the DisplayLink technology better if they upgrade to USB3. More bandwidth for external displays.

USB3 attached graphics cards is not going to happen though.

Originally Posted by wafflesomd


Why exactly could we not just do that in the first place when they were designing USB.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing

to be honest fellas, getting usb3 now would be great for a fast usb2 pen drive, it still improves speed rates already versus the current usb2 standard, shaving off nearly 20-30 seconds per mp3/iso... im jumping onboard now tbh

Originally Posted by LightningPete
to be honest fellas, getting usb3 now would be great for a fast usb2 pen drive, it still improves speed rates already versus the current usb2 standard, shaving off nearly 20-30 seconds per mp3/iso... im jumping onboard now tbh

i meant for harddrives not pen drives lol

page 3 says:

"the Corsair SSD comfortably achieves an average write speed on 240MB/sec, so we’ll be able to see whether, and by how much, USB 3 limits this. "

240MB/sec write is wrong, right? Isn't that the read-speed?

Years ago, SCSI moved from 8 bits to 16 bit s (sixteen wires) to increase data bandwidth. The accepted theory back then was that a parallel interface could always work faster than a serial interface. Akin to parallel processing..... Then a few years back we were all suddenly told that serial was the way to go, and could run faster than a parallel interface. Didn't make sense to me.

I think the limiting factor on these buses is how you condition the signal, the quality of the cabling, and the type of detection you use.

I'm a little confused, you tested on x38, but ASUS state it is only for P55? Does this mean it will work on any Intel board? Any board at all? Or did you just "persuade" it to run on a non-P55 board?

I'm buying a motherboard with 2 USB 3.0 ports and 2 SATA 6Gb/s connections added. All the usual USB 2.0 and SATA II 3Gb/s connectors are still on there but I thought it a good idea to get in there quick.

I am building myself a new system I hope that lasts for 5 years or more. USB 3.0 devices will become more abundant in 1-2 years and cheaper by the 3rd year. For anyone getting a new system it makes sense to include USB 3.0.