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Is USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 faster than USB 4? I’m comparing external SSD enclosures and some advertise USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 while others boast USB 4. I’m trying to understand which will give me the fastest transfer speeds in real-world scenarios when moving large video files (50GB+) to and from the SSD. I know USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 has a theoretical maximum speed of 20 Gbps, and USB 4 has a theoretical maximum of 40 Gbps. But are there other factors, like overhead, implementation, or typical controller limitations, that might make the practical performance of USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 better, worse, or comparable to USB 4 in my specific use case of large file transfers with an external SSD? Also, does the type of SSD (NVMe vs. SATA) affect the equation, and are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of when choosing between these two standards, specifically regarding motherboards and devices that may only support older USB versions?

Answer

No, USB4 is generally faster than USB 3.2 Gen 2×2.

Here’s a detailed comparison:

  • USB 3.2 Gen 2×2: Offers a maximum data transfer rate of 20 Gbps (Gigabits per second). This is achieved using two lanes of 10 Gbps each.

  • USB4: Has a minimum data transfer rate of 40 Gbps, and USB4 2.0 increases that to 80 Gbps, and USB4 version 2.0 up to 120 Gbps. It leverages the Thunderbolt protocol and uses a single lane for both transmitting and receiving data, making it more efficient. USB4 also mandates support for DisplayPort Alternate Mode, allowing video signals to be transmitted over the USB-C connector, and offers improved power delivery capabilities compared to USB 3.2 Gen 2×2. USB4 supports multiple data and display protocols, efficiently sharing the maximum aggregate bandwidth.

In summary, while USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 provides a respectable 20 Gbps, USB4’s baseline of 40 Gbps provides a significant speed increase, with even higher speeds available in newer revisions. USB4 also offers additional features like DisplayPort Alt Mode and improved power delivery, making it a more versatile and capable standard overall.