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    Buying a USB 3.0 Cable for my external HDD, is it compatible?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Shaizer, Oct 31, 2011.

  1. Shaizer

    Shaizer Newbie

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    Hi all,

    I recently bought this external hdd, Portable hard drive | USB hard Drive | FreeAgent | GoFlex Ultra Portable Drive | Seagate

    It says on product page that it features both usb 2.0 and 3.0, however only a 2.0 cable was provided. I was wondering whether buying a 3.0 cable would enable the 3.0 speeds (I have a 3.0 port in my laptop). Also, I'm having trouble finding a USB 3.0 cable A to mini-B (this is the port on the hdd), there seems to be only A to micro-B available. If anyone can please give me some advice on the issue, it will be very helpful :)

    Thanks in advance,

    Shaizer
     
    Shaizer, Oct 31, 2011
    #1
  2. dansu92833

    dansu92833 Notebook Enthusiast

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    First all you have to check your hdd does have "blue" usb ports. If you give your hdd model maybe that will be easier for us to analysis it.

    About your cable question. here is the things. The usb 2.0 cable and usb 3.0 are basically the the same so you should not need to worry about that much.
    The thing I will be more worry about it is your usb 3.0 driver. Cause they are still unreliable so keep checking your windows or your usb driver. 2nd is your hdd is sata 3gb or 6gb? and what is your buffer memory is? all those thing will some effect your transfer speed.
     
    dansu92833, Nov 1, 2011
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  3. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Greg, Nov 1, 2011
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  4. Yotsuba

    Yotsuba Notebook Evangelist

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    Does your computer even have USB 3.0 though. If it doesn't then I wouldn't even bother getting a USB 3.0 cable.
     
    Yotsuba, Nov 1, 2011
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  5. Shaizer

    Shaizer Newbie

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    I mentioned in my post that my laptop (HP Envy 14 2nd gen) has one USB 3.0 port, so should be fine on that front.

    Thanks for this, a little disappointed that I have to buy that (not so cheap) extension. I think I'll just wait a little longer for my transfer - only using the hdd for moving old pc files to new laptop, so it shouldn't be a biggie.

    Thanks all for the replies :D
     
    Shaizer, Nov 1, 2011
    #5
  6. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

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    Well isn't that ironic: We build you a highway, and you still prefer to take the back roads? For shame!
     
    Krane, Nov 1, 2011
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  7. Yotsuba

    Yotsuba Notebook Evangelist

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    Oh, well I guess I must have overlooked that. I've noticed that most portable hard drives that are coming out now have support for USB 3.0 right out of the box. I know my Toshiba Canvio did.
     
    Yotsuba, Nov 2, 2011
    #7