What Is A USB 3.0 Cable Used For?

When it comes to the usage of USB 3.0 cable, it is currently one of the most used cables. Whether you are connecting a peripheral device to a computer or charging your smartphone through an adapter, you will need a USB 3.0 cable to establish the connection. However, the usage is not only limited to these; the USB 3.0 cables are also used for various other purposes.

The main reason many people prefer using USB 3.0 cables is due to their high-speed 5 Gbps data transfer speed and 900 mA power delivery capability. Even though USB 4.0 cables are slowly getting popular, still 3 billion of USB 3.0 ports are manufactured each year as it is utilized in most devices. So let’s check what is USB 3.0 cable is used for;

Uses of USB 3.0 Cables

USB 3.0 cables are utilized for numerous purposes, but the usage of the cables depends upon the connector type. The USB 3.0 protocol offers different types of ports for connecting different types of devices, so this factor has expanded the usage of USB 3.0 cables. So let’s check out different uses of USB 3.0 cables based on the ports;

USB 3.0 Type A to B Cables

The USB 3.0 Type A to B cable is probably the most used cable in the market, and it comes with the standard Type A connector. It gets a simple rectangular connector and is mostly used for downstream connection between devices.

These cables are also backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports, and you can utilize the cable to connect your computer to large devices like scanners and printers.

USB 3.0 Type A to A Female Cable

Like the previous one, this cable also comes with a Type A connector on one end, but it gets a Type A female connector on the other side. This cable comes with a full 5 Gbps SuperSpeed data rate, and it is mainly used as an extension cable with micro B, USB, and other ports.

USB 3.0 to Type C Cable

USB 3.0 to Type C cable is another popular choice for users as it allows users to connect modern slim devices. Many people prefer this cable for connecting their smartphones to computers or other devices because it allows them to transfer large files in a short time and also utilizes fast charging.

Besides, you can also utilize it to connect modern external HDDs, portable sound units, digital cameras, and various peripheral devices.

USB 3.0 to Micro B Cable

The USB 3.0 Type A to Micro B cable may not be as widely popular as the USB 3.0 to Type C cable, but it is still one of the most used cables. The Micro B connector is still used by many devices, so it is really useful for connecting them to computers or other devices.

You can use the cable and connect external hard disks, DSLR cameras, detachable USB peripheral devices, and vision cameras to computers and achieve fast data transfer speed.

USB 3.0 Type A To 20 Pin Panel Mount Cables

The USB 3.0 Type A to 20 pin panel mount cable is a specialized cable that is used by PC case manufacturers and modders.

The internal connector cables allow users to connect the mother USB controller to the external USB SS ports, which are mostly found on the front panel of the PC case. The 20-pin internal connector was designed by Intel, and it contains USB 3.0 signal channels; thus, it allows two 3.0 ports to work individually.

USB 3.0 Type A to Micro A Cable

You can consider USB 3.0 Type A to Micro A cable as a rare cable that is only useful for connecting certain portable devices. There was a time when certain smartphone brands and portable devices utilized the Micro A port as their primary port.

If you are using such devices or having them in your house, then you will need this cable to connect those devices to the computer or to the charging adapter.

Now, let’s take a look at the reasons why USB 3.0 cables are widely preferred nowadays;

Reasons for Using USB 3.0 Cables

Here are some major reasons why people prefer using USB 3.0 cables;

Ability to Achieve High Data Transfer Speed

The major reason people have shifted from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 cables is due to the latter’s ability to achieve 5 Gbps data transfer speed. It supports bi-directional data flow, which makes it easy for users to transfer large files within a few seconds. However, it is only possible when it is connected to the USB 3.0 port.

Usage of USB 3.0 Ports On Large Scale

Nowadays, most computers and other devices use USB 3.0 as the primary USB port, so to have the best performance, people are using USB 3.0 cables. Many peripheral devices like an HD webcam, external hard drives, and Blu-Drivers offer the best performance when you utilize a USB 3.0 cable.

Fast Charging

Another major reason that many users prefer using USB 3.0 cables over other USB generation cables is due to fast charging capability. A USB 3.0 cable can deliver a power of 900 mA, which is sufficient for any configured device to charge any device within a few minutes.

Bottom Line

USB 3.0 cables have multiple uses, and if you can utilize them with a proper device, you will have not only better performance but also fast charging. A few years ago, USB 3.0 cables used to be expensive, but things have changed nowadays, as more brands are coming up with USB 3.0 cables at an affordable rate. Most modern devices come with USB 3.0 ports, so it serves as a smart choice for users to use USB 3.0 for connection.