Question For an external spinning disk backup drive, any point in going beyond USB 3.0?

[IronWing]

I'm replacing my backup drive. My new computer has Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 gen 2, USB 3.0, and USB 2 ports. Seems pointless to buy a drive with ports that are much faster than the enclosed drive can read/write the data. Thoughts?

 

[Oyeve]

I’d go usb 3.1 as its probably on every other device.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

If you're using a HDD-based external drive, there is no reason to go beyond regular 5Gbit USB3(.1/2/whatever). Its more then enough for any HDD or two.

If we're talking SSDs, it becomes a bit more complicated. For a standard SATA3-based drive, 5Gbit USB3 is still -enough- with UASP support, as it tops out at about 450MB/s. The performance improvements with 10Gbit USB3 are negligible. You only get 500-520MB/s with it. It's only when using an NVMe-based drive or RAID array 10Gbit USB3 begins to shine.

10Gbit USB3 is also notoriously pickish with regards to cable quality, you shouldn't expect a cable run of more then about a metre without a really high quality cable.

 

[zephyrprime]

Just buy the cheapest drive. Mechanical drives aren't fast enough to tax usb 3.

 

[Shmee]

Yes but some HDDs are faster than others. If you don't want slow backups, get a quality backup drive. I would avoid the cheap ones without actual SATA connections.