Question USB 3.1 Hub connected to pc with USB 2.0 cable

[jeerotus]

Hello, I'm new here, and I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but admin can move it if it's not. I have a generic USB 3.1 hub with 4 slots that I use to connect my simulator rig to my PC. I used to connect my wheel, pedals, handbrake, and shifter to USB hub with extension cables, but now I'm wondering if it's okay to just connect everything to the hub and use one extension cable. Would be so much easier, but I'm not sure if there are any bandwith problems? The USBs I have connected to the hub are all USB 2.0. Can I run 4 USB 2.0 devices through one USB 2.0 cable, or do I need an extension for USB 3.0?

 

[Paperdoc]

Yes, you can do this.


When you use an older USB 2 type of cable from a computer USB 3 port to a Hub, the system is limited to the slower data rate of the old USB 2 system becasue the cable lacks the extra data lines used by USB 3. This is true whether the Hub is USB 2 or USB 3. HOWEVER, in your case ALL of the devices on the Hub are older USB 2 units, so they cannot possibly use the faster data rate of USB 3, and that limit is not a big issue.

You might consider a small change, though. When you use the Hub, all of the connected devices must share the data rate of a single USB port connection, and that is the link between the computer port and the Hub. In most cases having four USB 2 devices sharing one USB 2 port is not an issue - the devices individually have slow data rates, and the combined data rate usually is still less than the USB 2 max rate. But is is POSSIBLE for the combinmed rate to get close to that USB 2 rate. IF you want to, simply buy a proper USB 3 extension cable to fit between your computer's USB 3 port and the Hub, which also is rated for USB 3 data rates. Then the combined four USB 2 devices on the Hub ports are sharing one USB 3 data rate line, and there is SURE to be no data rate limit imposed by the Hub and extension cable.

 

[jeerotus]

Yes, you can do this.


When you use an older USB 2 type of cable from a computer USB 3 port to a Hub, the system is limited to the slower data rate of the old USB 2 system becasue the cable lacks the extra data lines used by USB 3. This is true whether the Hub is USB 2 or USB 3. HOWEVER, in your case ALL of the devices on the Hub are older USB 2 units, so they cannot possibly use the faster data rate of USB 3, and that limit is not a big issue.

You might consider a small change, though. When you use the Hub, all of the connected devices must share the data rate of a single USB port connection, and that is the link between the computer port and the Hub. In most cases having four USB 2 devices sharing one USB 2 port is not an issue - the devices individually have slow data rates, and the combined data rate usually is still less than the USB 2 max rate. But is is POSSIBLE for the combinmed rate to get close to that USB 2 rate. IF you want to, simply buy a proper USB 3 extension cable to fit between your computer's USB 3 port and the Hub, which also is rated for USB 3 data rates. Then the combined four USB 2 devices on the Hub ports are sharing one USB 3 data rate line, and there is SURE to be no data rate limit imposed by the Hub and extension cable.

Thanks for answer. I will go and buy that USB 3.0 extension just to be sure. It seems little bit stupid to cheap on one cable when you have already spent thousands for the rig. I dont know why i didnt think about this earlier because i had one big cable jungle.

 

[Paperdoc]

You're welcome.