{"id":55946,"date":"2019-11-20T16:54:36","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T22:54:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=55946"},"modified":"2020-09-16T11:03:32","modified_gmt":"2020-09-16T16:03:32","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-thunderbolt-3-and-usb-c-and-which-should-you-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/55946-whats-the-difference-between-thunderbolt-3-and-usb-c-and-which-should-you-use\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s the Difference Between Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C and Which Should You Use?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Even the most tech-savvy are hard-pressed to describe the features of Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C interfaces and make a clear decision as to why one is better than the other. This quick Rocket Yard guide will help you better understand the differences you need to know!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first two generations of Thunderbolt (2011) and Thunderbolt 2 (2013), Intel relied on the Mini DisplayPort connection. These iterations were primarily limited to Apple devices and not compatible with USB devices. That all changed in 2015 with the introduction of Thunderbolt 3. This new generation used the more versatile USB-C connection with the goal of interoperability and consistent performance across different computer and peripheral manufacturers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s driving a bit of the confusion is the ports look identical, and the only way to differentiate them visually is to look for the Thunderbolt logo imprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Image<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Image<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The simplest way to describe these interface differences is that USB-C (aka USB Type-C) refers to the connector (port) and cable specification<\/em>, whereas Thunderbolt 3 refers to the capabilities<\/em> that are available over USB-C. Perhaps that\u2019s why Thunderbolt 3 is billed as \u201cthe USB-C that does it all\u201d because, with it, you can connect to Thunderbolt devices<\/a>, displays, and billions of USB 3.1\/3.0\/2.0 devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the port they share looks the same, here are the key differences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t
<\/td>\n\t<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
FUNCTIONALITY<\/b> <\/td>\n\t\t THUNDERBOLT 3<\/b> <\/td>\n\t\t USB-C<\/b> <\/td>\n\t<\/tr>\n\t
SPEED<\/b> <\/td>\n\t\t Up to 40Gb\/s <\/td>\n\t\t Up to 10Gb\/s <\/td>\n\t<\/tr>\n\t
DISPLAY<\/b> <\/td>\n\t\t Two 4K displays or one 5K display <\/td>\n\t\t One 4K display <\/td>\n\t<\/tr>\n\t
EXTERNAL GRAPHICS<\/b> <\/td>\n\t\t Uses PCIe bus which enables use of eGPU <\/td>\n\t\t Cannot use eGPU <\/td>\n\t<\/tr>\n\t
DEVICE COMPATIBILITY<\/b> <\/td>\n\t\t \n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
  • Thunderbolt 3 (and Thunderbolt 2\/Thunderbolt devices using adapter) <\/li>\n\t\t\t
  • USB-C devices <\/li>\n\t\t\t
  • Legacy USB 3.x\/2.x devices using adapter with speed limited to device capabilities <\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t
 \n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
  • Thunderbolt 3 (and Thunderbolt 2\/Thunderbolt devices using adapter)<\/del> <\/li>\n\t\t\t
  • USB-C devices <\/li>\n\t\t\t
  • Legacy USB 3.x\/2.x devices using adapter with speed limited to device capabilities <\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/td>\n\t<\/tr>\n\t
EXPANSION<\/b> <\/td>\n\t\t Daisy-chain up to 6 devices <\/td>\n\t\t Can only connect one device*<\/td>\n\t<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

* If you have a port-limited USB-C equipped computer, expand your capabilities with an OWC USB-C dock<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Most Important Take-Away…<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All Thunderbolt 3 ports are also USB-C ports, but not all USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 3 ports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should You Use Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For everyday personal computing uses, USB-C devices offer an attractive balance of price and performance. If you own a Thunderbolt 3-equipped computer AND require pro-grade external storage transfer rates, multiple HD monitors, docks with numerous functionalities like Ethernet and card reader, or the ability to use an eGPU, then Thunderbolt 3 devices are the way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whichever you decide is best for your use, OWC has you covered!
\u2022 USB-C?<\/strong> Check out our USB-C page at MacSales.com<\/a>.
\u2022 Thunderbolt 3?<\/strong> Check out our Thunderbolt 3 page at MacSales.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

RELATED:<\/strong>
\u2022 Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C: A Quick Guide and A Look To The Future<\/a>
\u2022 Intel Introduces Thunderbolt 4: What Is It and Does It Matter?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Even the most tech-savvy are hard-pressed to describe the features of Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C interfaces and make a clear decision as to why one is better than the other. 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