USB 3.0 compatibility

wenz146 · 08-11-12 at 12:06 AM

Hi, I know usb 3.0 has been out for quite a long time now, just that I haven got any chances to use it since all my PCs are using 2.0 atm. The thing is, I wonder if those external hdd 2.0 are compatible with enclosure 3.0? as in replace the 2.0 enclosure with the 3.0's and the hdd inside stays the same.

Zeroize · 08-11-12 at 12:10 AM

USB3.0 is backward compatible. Just that if you attach a USB2.0 device to a USB3.0 port, it will run at USB2.0 speed, and vice versa.

**Vivit4r** · 08-11-12 at 12:12 AM

Yes, USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with 2.0. For reference the 3 requirements for a full functioning USB 3.0 connection is:

1. A USB 3.0 wire

2. A USB 3.0 compliant hardware device

3. A USB 3.0 compliant motherboard. * If your case supports USB 3.0 connectors, connect all case wiring to the USB 3.0 headers on your motherboard. If you have only USB 2.0 headers on your motherboard, connect it to those.

Cheers,
KSUSA

edit: removed word "sata". Sorry I had sata on the mind.

wenz146 · 08-11-12 at 12:18 AM

Ok. Seems like I haven make it clear. What I mean is, there's 3.0 external ENCLOSURE/CASING selling out there right? What I want to do is to replace the 2.0 case with 3.0 case, is it possbile? so that in the future I do not have to waste another money to buy 3.0 external hdd, instead, I just replace the enclosure and use the same hdd. I know my pc has to be 3.0 support, but what I really wanna know if its possbile to 'replace 2.0 enclosure with 3.0'. That's all. Or the hdd has to be 3.0 compatible as well?

**flappy81** · 08-11-12 at 01:07 AM

Yes. You can do that. The USB standard has nothing to do with HDD's. The interface in the case must still be SATA though

wenz146 · 08-11-12 at 01:11 AM

Thnx. Glad to hear that. So the speed won't be affected and performs the standard speed right?

**Vivit4r** · 08-11-12 at 01:29 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by wenz146

Ok. Seems like I haven make it clear. What I mean is, there's 3.0 external ENCLOSURE/CASING selling out there right? What I want to do is to replace the 2.0 case with 3.0 case, is it possbile? so that in the future I do not have to waste another money to buy 3.0 external hdd, instead, I just replace the enclosure and use the same hdd. I know my pc has to be 3.0 support, but what I really wanna know if its possbile to 'replace 2.0 enclosure with 3.0'. That's all. Or the hdd has to be 3.0 compatible as well?

Could of sworn we made it abundantly clear. Sorry

**Journalz** · 08-11-12 at 01:34 AM

There are a few USB 3.0 external enclosures out there. They can take SATA II and SATA III interfaces. Make sure that when you get the enclosure, it comes with the correct USB 3.0 cable. If it comes with an USB 2.0 cable, you will not get any benefits of USB 3.0, even if it is backwards-compatible.

**flappy81** · 08-11-12 at 02:25 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by wenz146

Thnx. Glad to hear that. So the speed won't be affected and performs the standard speed right?

Well, it won't be slower if that's what you're asking...

**666wrathchild666** · 08-11-12 at 05:10 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by wenz146

Thnx. Glad to hear that. So the speed won't be affected and performs the standard speed right?

If you do not have a 3.0 on your computer then you will still have normal speed. If you do than any hard drive you place in a 3.0 enclosure will get faster speed.

wenz146 · 08-11-12 at 06:37 AM

im sorry i didn make it clear again. As in once i replace the 2.0 enclosure with 3.0's, it will have the speed like any other external hdd 3.0 right?

**darklightv2** · 08-11-12 at 12:12 PM

Yes, it'll have the same speed but only this time you will be limited to the speed of your HDD and not of the enclosure.

08-11-12 at 12:12 AM	#3
Vivit4r The World is Ours Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,993	Yes, USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with 2.0. For reference the 3 requirements for a full functioning USB 3.0 connection is: 1. A USB 3.0 wire 2. A USB 3.0 compliant hardware device 3. A USB 3.0 compliant motherboard. * If your case supports USB 3.0 connectors, connect all case wiring to the USB 3.0 headers on your motherboard. If you have only USB 2.0 headers on your motherboard, connect it to those. Cheers, KSUSA edit: removed word "sata". Sorry I had sata on the mind. Last edited by Vivit4r; 08-11-12 at 07:37 AM.

08-11-12 at 12:18 AM	#4
wenz146 Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 387	Ok. Seems like I haven make it clear. What I mean is, there's 3.0 external ENCLOSURE/CASING selling out there right? What I want to do is to replace the 2.0 case with 3.0 case, is it possbile? so that in the future I do not have to waste another money to buy 3.0 external hdd, instead, I just replace the enclosure and use the same hdd. I know my pc has to be 3.0 support, but what I really wanna know if its possbile to 'replace 2.0 enclosure with 3.0'. That's all. Or the hdd has to be 3.0 compatible as well? Last edited by wenz146; 08-11-12 at 12:32 AM.

08-11-12 at 12:10 AM	#2
Zeroize Newcomer Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 10	USB3.0 is backward compatible. Just that if you attach a USB2.0 device to a USB3.0 port, it will run at USB2.0 speed, and vice versa.

08-11-12 at 01:07 AM	#5
flappy81 That's showbiz for ya! Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 657	Yes. You can do that. The USB standard has nothing to do with HDD's. The interface in the case must still be SATA though

08-11-12 at 01:11 AM	#6
wenz146 Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 387	Thnx. Glad to hear that. So the speed won't be affected and performs the standard speed right?

08-11-12 at 01:29 AM	#7
Vivit4r The World is Ours Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,993	Quote: Originally Posted by wenz146 Ok. Seems like I haven make it clear. What I mean is, there's 3.0 external ENCLOSURE/CASING selling out there right? What I want to do is to replace the 2.0 case with 3.0 case, is it possbile? so that in the future I do not have to waste another money to buy 3.0 external hdd, instead, I just replace the enclosure and use the same hdd. I know my pc has to be 3.0 support, but what I really wanna know if its possbile to 'replace 2.0 enclosure with 3.0'. That's all. Or the hdd has to be 3.0 compatible as well? Could of sworn we made it abundantly clear. Sorry

08-11-12 at 01:34 AM	#8
Journalz Novice Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California Posts: 104	There are a few USB 3.0 external enclosures out there. They can take SATA II and SATA III interfaces. Make sure that when you get the enclosure, it comes with the correct USB 3.0 cable. If it comes with an USB 2.0 cable, you will not get any benefits of USB 3.0, even if it is backwards-compatible.

08-11-12 at 02:25 AM	#9
flappy81 That's showbiz for ya! Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 657	Quote: Originally Posted by wenz146 Thnx. Glad to hear that. So the speed won't be affected and performs the standard speed right? Well, it won't be slower if that's what you're asking...

08-11-12 at 05:10 AM	#10
666wrathchild666 Elite Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,521	Quote: Originally Posted by wenz146 Thnx. Glad to hear that. So the speed won't be affected and performs the standard speed right? If you do not have a 3.0 on your computer then you will still have normal speed. If you do than any hard drive you place in a 3.0 enclosure will get faster speed.

08-11-12 at 06:37 AM	#11
wenz146 Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 387	im sorry i didn make it clear again. As in once i replace the 2.0 enclosure with 3.0's, it will have the speed like any other external hdd 3.0 right?

08-11-12 at 12:12 PM	#12
darklightv2 Lost One Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Beyond your reach. Posts: 1,417	Yes, it'll have the same speed but only this time you will be limited to the speed of your HDD and not of the enclosure.