Use current USB headers for USB 3.0?

Hi I have an Orign AE S14v media centre case with 2 USB headers on the front panel. If I replaced my motherboard with one supporting USB 3, would the header ports support USB 3 speeds?

I know USB3 is backwards compatible with USB2 but can existing IO Headers use USB to their full potential?

Many thanks.

Chris.

I may be wrong, but I have a feeling you would need new USB headers.

Thanks for the reply. That's what I thought but was holding out hope for compatibility.

Anyone else know for definete?

USB 2.0 devices will work in 3.0 ports, and likewise USB 3.0 devices will function in 2.0 ports, though obviously the bandwidth will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds.

It seems it's compatible with older usb headers

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i might wait to upgrade my USBs until 3.0 comes out because all my current USBs are 1.0:(

i might wait to upgrade my USBs until 3.0 comes out because all my current USBs are 1.0:(

bigM10231

[QUOTE="bigM10231"]

i might wait to upgrade my USBs until 3.0 comes out because all my current USBs are 1.0:(

JigglyWiggly_

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"][QUOTE="bigM10231"]

i might wait to upgrade my USBs until 3.0 comes out because all my current USBs are 1.0:(

bigM10231

USB 2.0 devices will work in 3.0 ports, and likewise USB 3.0 devices will function in 2.0 ports, though obviously the bandwidth will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds.

MaoTheChimp

[QUOTE="MaoTheChimp"]

USB 2.0 devices will work in 3.0 ports, and likewise USB 3.0 devices will function in 2.0 ports, though obviously the bandwidth will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds.

Nibroc420

That's the end that plugs into devices. The end that plugs into the computer ports is the same as other USBs.

[QUOTE="Nibroc420"][QUOTE="MaoTheChimp"]

USB 2.0 devices will work in 3.0 ports, and likewise USB 3.0 devices will function in 2.0 ports, though obviously the bandwidth will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds.

Phoenix534

That's the end that plugs into devices. The end that plugs into the computer ports is the same as other USBs.

[QUOTE="MaoTheChimp"]

USB 2.0 devices will work in 3.0 ports, and likewise USB 3.0 devices will function in 2.0 ports, though obviously the bandwidth will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds.

Nibroc420

You're partly correct. The image you linked is of a "SuperSpeed" standard-B plug which is designed for USB 3.0 ports, but as you said, it is incompatible with older USB 2.0 standard-B ports. On the other hard, the "SuperSpeed" standard-A receptacle is not only compatible with legacy standard-A connectors, but the SuperSpeed standard-A plug can fit in a legacy standard-A port and be compatible provided that the device does not require the extra bandwidth and the MFG goes the extra mile to allow for backwards-compatibility.

[QUOTE="Nibroc420"][QUOTE="MaoTheChimp"]

USB 2.0 devices will work in 3.0 ports, and likewise USB 3.0 devices will function in 2.0 ports, though obviously the bandwidth will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds.

MaoTheChimp

You're partly correct. The image you linked is of a "SuperSpeed" standard-B plug which is designed for USB 3.0 ports, but as you said, it is incompatible with older USB 2.0 standard-B ports. On the other hard, the "SuperSpeed" standard-A receptacle is not only compatible with legacy standard-A connectors, but the SuperSpeed standard-A plug can fit in a legacy standard-A port and be compatible provided that the device does not require the extra bandwidth and the MFG goes the extra mile to allow for backwards-compatibility.

[QUOTE="MaoTheChimp"]

[QUOTE="Nibroc420"] Umm, no they wont. 3.0 cables wont fit into 2.0 sockets... however 2.0 will fit in 3.0 http://64.202.120.86/upload/image/new-news/2008/december/usb-3-0-final/usb-3-final.jpgnintendog66

You're partly correct. The image you linked is of a "SuperSpeed" standard-B plug which is designed for USB 3.0 ports, but as you said, it is incompatible with older USB 2.0 standard-B ports. On the other hard, the "SuperSpeed" standard-A receptacle is not only compatible with legacy standard-A connectors, but the SuperSpeed standard-A plug can fit in a legacy standard-A port and be compatible provided that the device does not require the extra bandwidth and the MFG goes the extra mile to allow for backwards-compatibility.

Sorry.

The rectangular-box type connector is known as a "standard-A" connector, and an image of this was linked above by hrah.

A "standard-B" connector is the more squarish connector found on some USB devices. Here's an image to illustrate:

Since USB 3.0 requires the use of five extra pins for the extra bandwidth, a "hump" was added to the top of the standard-B port/receptacle, as there was simply not enough room to cram in the 5 other pins. I'll use the image Nibroc420 linked to illustrate:

Because of this added "hump", legacy standard-B connectors can fit AND function in the new USB 3.0 standard-B ports, but USB 3.0 plugs cannot physically fit in the older standard-B ports.

However, if you take a look at the new USB 3.0 standard-A connectors....

...you'll notice that the added pins do not interfere with the pins on legacy standard-A connectors, and this theoretically allows for two-way backwards compatibility.

There's one catch though: if a USB 3.0 device requires USB 3,0 speeds (such as a external BlueRay player, 1080P decoder etc), then it would be impossible for it to function in a USB 2.0 port due to lack of bandwidth. Also, a MFG must go the extra mile and include hardware for a USB 3.0 device to function in a USB 2.0 port, or otherwise the device will not recognize the port and render it incompatible.

There's one catch though: if a USB 3.0 device requires USB 3,0 speeds (such as a external BlueRay player, 1080P decoder etc), then it would be impossible for it to function in a USB 2.0 port due to lack of bandwidth. Also, a MFG must go the extra mile and include hardware for a USB 3.0 device to function in a USB 2.0 port, or otherwise the device will not recognize the port and render it incompatible.

MaoTheChimp

So basically I can't use the existing USB headers in my case to run with full USB capabilities. Bugger. Oh well. I shall contact OriginAE and see if they will be supplying a USB 3 replacement.

Thanks for all the detailed responses.

Chris

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"][QUOTE="bigM10231"]

i might wait to upgrade my USBs until 3.0 comes out because all my current USBs are 1.0:(

bigM10231

[QUOTE="MaoTheChimp"]

There's one catch though: if a USB 3.0 device requires USB 3,0 speeds (such as a external BlueRay player, 1080P decoder etc), then it would be impossible for it to function in a USB 2.0 port due to lack of bandwidth. Also, a MFG must go the extra mile and include hardware for a USB 3.0 device to function in a USB 2.0 port, or otherwise the device will not recognize the port and render it incompatible.

chrissp26

So basically I can't use the existing USB headers in my case to run with full USB capabilities. Bugger. Oh well. I shall contact OriginAE and see if they will be supplying a USB 3 replacement.

Thanks for all the detailed responses.

Chris