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ExpressBox 3T- eGPU | 47
Q. How can I identify a Thunderbolt 3 cable?
A:
Thunderbolt 3 cable uses the USB-C connector. It is reversible and identical on both ends. It has the Thunderbolt icon and the number 3 on
the connector. See the image below
.
Q. Are USB 3.1 (USB-C) cables and Thunderbolt 3 cables interchangeable?
A:
Thunderbolt 3 cables support Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 (USB-C) devices.
USB 3.1 (USB-C) cables do not work with Thunderbolt 3 devices.
A Thunderbolt 3 expansion unit or storage device requires a Thunderbolt 3 cable and a Thunderbolt 3 port on the computer.
Q
.
Are all Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cables the same?
A:
No, there are two types of Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cables, passive and active. Passive cables cost less and can reach up to 40 Gb/s data
transfer if the length is 0.5m or less and 20 Gb/s if over 0.5m. Active cables can reach up to 40 Gb/s data transfer with a length of up to 2m.
Active cables have chips built into them to allow the highest possible data transfer speeds
.
Q. What is the difference between active and passive Thunderbolt 3 cables?
A.
Active Thunderbolt 3 cables support Thunderbolt at 40Gbps data transfer at lengths of up to 2m. Optical cables are targeted later, with
lengths of up to 60m. Passive lower cost cables are only capable of 20Gbps data transfer at 1m or 2m lengths, but can achieve the full 40Gbps at
a shorter cable length of 0.5m
Q
:
What is TB3 passive cable?
A
.
Thunderbolt 3 passive cables. These cables can carry the maximum 40 Gbps data rate between Thunderbolt 3 devices only at 18 inches (0.5
m) or less. At up to about 6.6 feet (2 m), passive cables support just 20 Gbps.
"This cable" can NOT run a 5K display as Best Buy's description claims because it is 1M passive cable and can't deliver the required
bandwidth to drive a 5K display.
Not an ideal choice if you plan on hooking up high speed SSD raids, for example, because real world speeds will top out between
1300 MBps - 1500 MBps. (Similar to TB2)
Q.
What is Tb3 active cable?
A.
These more expensive cables provide 40 Gbps between Thunderbolt 3 devices at up to 6.6 feet (2 m) by incorporating circuitry into both ends
of the cable. Some of these cables can also carry the maximum 100 watts of power allowed in the standard. You need this kind of cable for high-
throughput Thunderbolt 3 peripherals, like SSD RAIDs used. It is highly recommended when using eGPU or eGFX.
Q
.
What is USB-C Charge Cable
