▷ Difference between usb 3.1 gen 1 vs usb 3.1 gen 2

As you go through the specification tables of new PCs and other computing devices, you will often come across lots of references to the USB port. The USB port has become ubiquitous on devices, from smartphones to mass gaming systems and all kinds of consumer electronic devices, but a few years ago, we started to see more types of USB ports emerge, which clouded and slightly saturated the connectivity world.

It seems that many users are confused by the differences between USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1, and USB 3.1 Gen 2. Fortunately, this is a fairly simple thing to understand once you dig deeper. In this article we explain the differences between USB 3.1 Gen 1 vs USB 3.1 Gen 2 so that you have no doubts.

USB 3.1 Gen 1 vs USB 3.1 Gen 2, everything you need to know

First of all, you have to be clear that USB 3.0 doesn't really exist anymore. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) chose to absorb the USB 3.0 specification into the USB 3.1 Gen 1 specification. Because of that, the terms USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 are synonymous, creating even more confusion for users.

This is essentially an office decision, as incorporating USB 3.0 into USB 3.1 Gen 1 reduces the amount of documents a developer needs to consult, including all relevant information to ensure that products are developed correctly to be version compatible. previous in terms of protocol. Therefore, if you see "USB 3.0" in a product, it is probably already a few years on the market. In everything that has been recently manufactured, you will only see "USB 3.1" or "USB 3.1 Gen 1".

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Difference between both generations

The difference between USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB Gen 2 is as simple as this: Gen 1 offers 5Gbps speeds, while Gen 2 offers 10Gbps. Beyond that, there is no significant difference between the two ports. However, the USB-IF was never intended for those terms to be used in marketing materials.

	USB 3.1 Gen 1	USB 3.1 Gen 2
Transfer rate	5 Gbps	10 Gbps
Coding	128b / 132b	8b / 10b
Lost	-3.03%	-twenty%
Power	100W	100W

To help clarify the two different speeds of USB 3.1 and the other protocols that can run over USB Type A and Type C connectors, the group created terminology and visual branding. For example, USB 3.1 Gen 1 is "SuperSpeed ​​USB", and USB 3.1 Gen 2 is "SuperSpeed ​​USB +". The industry never realized the nomenclature and brand, which is why everyone calls them "USB 3.1 Gen 1" and "USB 3.1 Gen 2". Often times, OEMs add the speeds (5 Gbps and 10 Gbps, respectively) to their spec tables as a useful reminder to consumers.