USB3 harddrive on USB2 port vs USB2 harddrive on USB2 port

[chinese_ys]

Hi,

I was searching web but did not find anything matching what I look for.

I know USB3 harddrive runs faster (read/write) when plugged into USB3 port than into USB2 port generally speaking. But what if comparing with a USB2 harddrive plugged into USB2 port?

I have one USB2 harddrive and one USB3 harddrive. Both are portable, non-SSD ones. I am trying to figure out which one to plug in to my Asus N66U for fileshare...

So which one performs better? USB3 on USB2 Port OR USB2 on USB2 port?

 

[Ford Prefect]

As it will depend on the type (i.e. RPM, cache, platters) of drive...you could simply perform a test yourself and find out.

 

[TonyH]

Hi,
USB3 plugged into USB2 will act like USB2, But between those two hard drives,
are they identical model or different. If different, only testing will tell.

 

[RussellInCincinnati]

USB 3.0 devices plugged into USB 2.0 ports generally run faster than USB 2.0 devices plugged into USB 2.0 ports. Because the USB 3.0 device chipsets tend to be overall better, even in USB 2.0 mode.

In the case of a hard drive, there are plenty of hard drives that can live on the 2.5 Watt max power of a USB 2.0 port, but there are also some enclosures and drives where the USB 2.0 power supplying capability is not quite adequate. If your device tests OK on a USB 2.0 port, or has its own power supply, of course this point is irrelevant.