USB 3.0 – The New Standard In Data Transfer?

Since file transfer via USB connection is very common these days, many users are looking for ways to improve the speed of copying files. When USB 3 hit the market, a lot more users got excited because of the amazing transfer speed the USB 3 can provide. We can expect though a number of glitches to be discovered which is but typical in a new technology.

The USB 2 is rated at 480 megabits per second which is equivalent to 57 mbps. Since transfer speed is also dependent on file size most users are fortunate if they get 25 mbps. The USB 3 has a speed rating of 4.8 gigabit per second that is about 570 mbps but the actual speed we got when testing was far below these figures. In some of our tests we got 60 mbps depending on the type and size of files we copied.

An average 50% increase in speed and 50% reduction in transfer time using the same file sizes were shown during our actual tests. In some of our tests where 1 GB file sizes were used, we got up to 80 mbps transfer speed but that was fluctuating speed. On the average I will accept a 50% raise in speed and a 1/3 time faster to copy files anytime.

The great improvement in speed will be noticed when you move large files such as graphic or video from a video camera or music files from audio devices. Servers and ordinary PC?s utilizing graphic, audio, or even engineering programs will be more productive with the improved speed offered by USB 3.

The long time it takes to transfer my favorite music files upset me most of the time. I got about 60 GB of it and waiting for the transfer to complete is like a lifetime. I do full backup of my data which is about 130 GB and you can just imagine the time it takes to finish this. Using the USB 3, I got a huge speed improvement doing the both chores and about 2/3 of time was saved.

There is however a minus point for the USB 3, its interface port is not compatible with USB 2 devices. As far as I know, there are just a few devices today that are fully compatible with USB 3, and you must also have a data cable that connects one side to the USB 3 port and the other side to the device.

A concern with new and older mainboards is that they are bounded by their BUS slot speeds. The older PCI 1.0 has a maximum transfer speed of 2.5GB which means USB 3 cannot go beyond that. With 5GB as the minimum standard transfer rate of USB 3, you will experience a boost in speed but will be limited to the maximum transfer rate of these older boards.

And the USB 3 is not yet available on all new models of computer. But computer manufacturers are swiftly adapting this new technology by adding USB 3 ports to their PCI board and steadily including them in their latest computer units. This development is crucial to laptop users because a media card adapter is the only means now to keep their unit abreast with the latest technology.

Leading mobile computer makers HP and Fujitsu gave notice that USB 3 is already included in their new laptop models. Western Digital?s My Book 3.0 was leading the way in external HD with USB 3 connectivity packaged with a PCI adapter. Seagate on the other hand signifies their intention to offer the same type of external HD by middle of this year. And Super Talent is now selling their USB 3 capable 16 GB flash disks.

With the arrival of USB 3 technology, users who are looking to speed up their data and file transfer may have found the way. And with the computer and device manufacturers swiftly adapting this new technology, it may take only a little while before we see full compliantUSB 3 machines on the mainstream.