What's all this fuss about USB 3.1?

[ssamhouu]

Been reading some articles on Asus, Asrock and MSI boards and PCIE cards starting to implement USB 3.1. But is this really helping performance in the real world or are the performance numbers more in theory?

 

[Insert_Nickname]

But is this really helping performance in the real world or are the performance numbers more in theory?

The answer to that really depends on your definition of "theoretical". Tests do show an improvement, but you need some serious hardware to actually take advantage of the increased performance. The ASUS supplied test kit is a good example. Its two 840EVOs mSATA SSDs sandwiched together to provide enough read throughput to demonstate what the interface is capable of.

But at least it'll mostly eliminate the interface as a bottleneck. That's always a good thing.

 

[Murloc]

good but nothing to wet your pants over, unlike USB 3.0 (which I still haven't had the chance of using....).

 

[Dahak]

For speed, I would say it "should" improve it as i do notice better speeds between my ext hdd and my usb 3.0 computers, provided that they don't mess up the implementation by putting behind a hub or a pcie x1 slot


Probably the biggest thing which is not necessarily part of USB 3.1, but designed at teh same time is the Type-C connector. A reversable small connector that can be used with USB 2.0, 3.0 or 3.1

And because its new, it allows the mobo makers to make and sell new products

 

[cruiatt]

Its nice to see the transfer speeds keep improving, USB 3.0 was a big step, now we are seeing 3.1. But aside from Asus, MSI and Asrock announcing, are they available in stores any time soon?

 

[ssamhouu]

Saw on Toms that Asus has specific dates announced, but no dates for Asrock or MSI.

 

[soccerballtux]

putting an optical interface in USB3.0 is still completely stupid and cheats IMO

 

[Valantar]

I'd say convergence is the biggest plus of developments like this. USB 3.0 is sufficient for transfers between a host and a single client, but doubling bandwidth opens the gate for multi-purpose docks and other solutions without sacrificing bandwidth for the devices connected to them. I'd much rather be able to connect all my non-permanently attached devices to my monitor or a desktop hub than various ports on my PC without sacrificing speed. Also, for devices like the Surface Pro, this allows much better docking opportunities through a single USB port. Oh, and charging, of course. Come home, connect a single cable to your laptop/tablet, have a full desktop setup ready to use? Yes please.

Tl;dr: 3.1 is future proofing USB for mobile/thin and light devices.

 

[Valantar]

putting an optical interface in USB3.0 is still completely stupid and cheats IMO

Who is doing that? Thunderbolt? Or do you mean a display interface?

 

[xLegenday]

Saw on Toms that Asus has specific dates announced, but no dates for Asrock or MSI.

Maybe they are waiting for Cebit show?
Damn trade shows.. :thumbsdown:

 

[VirtualLarry]

I remember a thread in GH about USB3.0 external HDDs, and that, given enough time, ALL of them, with ALL USB3.0 controllers, would eventually glitch and drop out.

When are we going to get a RELIABLE version of USB3?

 

[Dahak]

I remember a thread in GH about USB3.0 external HDDs, and that, given enough time, ALL of them, with ALL USB3.0 controllers, would eventually glitch and drop out.

When are we going to get a RELIABLE version of USB3?

Just curious about that, as I have various ext hdds out there from seagate of all manufactures, both 3TB and 4TB drives hooked up to various usb3.0 cards or computers, which are on a startech card which runs on a Renesas controller and never had them drop out

most of these cards are addon cards to a machine running win7

 

[Insert_Nickname]

When are we going to get a RELIABLE version of USB3?

Its stable right now. You just need to use the newest 7 drivers from all manufacturers. Forget mainboard manufacturers webpages, they're all pushing outdated drivers. You need to get them directly from the controller manufacturer or f.x. station-drivers.com.

Or you can use 8(.1) with its included class driver. That's actually 99.9% reliable and further includes UASP support for pretty much all controllers.

 

[RU482]

call me when it's native from the chipset on motherboards

Also, curious...what are you going to plug in to USB 3.1 today that really needs the bandwidth?

 

[XavierMace]

Or you can use 8(.1) with its included class driver. That's actually 99.9% reliable and further includes UASP support for pretty much all controllers.

Don't get me started on what a PITA that caused me last weekend.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

call me when it's native from the chipset on motherboards

Its been standard since Intel's 7x-series and AMDs A75.

Don't get me started on what a PITA that caused me last weekend.

I'm honestly interested. Details please...

I really don't understand why people have so many problems with USB3. The only issues I've run into was with a first generation NEC/Renesas controller, and that was ironed out a few driver releases later. The second is apparently related to 8(.1)'s rapid start feature, if you want details I'm happy to provide them.

 

[Valantar]

Its been standard since Intel's 7x-series and AMDs A75.

This thread is about usb 3.1, not 3.0.


Am I the only one hoping that AMD does the brilliant one-two punch of adding a USB 3.1 controller onto its R9 3XX cards with at least one USB type-c connector running both video and USB signals?

 

[soccerballtux]

Who is doing that? Thunderbolt? Or do you mean a display interface?

didn't you know? usb3.0 has an optical line in it, that's how it gets the high speeds.

 

[tenpole]

I want usb4 with a numpty mobo header that I wont bend the pins on.

 

[VirtualLarry]

didn't you know? usb3.0 has an optical line in it, that's how it gets the high speeds.

Uhm... no.

 

[WelshBloke]

Uhm... no.

Weirdly enough Corning do do an optical USB3 cable.

But yeah, 'Uhm... no.' was the right reply.

 

[Valantar]

didn't you know? usb3.0 has an optical line in it, that's how it gets the high speeds.

As VirtualLarry said: uhm... no. USB 3.0 has five additional pins for data transfer compared to previous versions. That's how it gets the high speeds.

Thunderbolt has an optical version, but it's very rarely used due to optical connections being harder and more expensive to implement than electrical ones. Optical only really has a significant advantage over long distances.