Thunderbolt 3 VS USB-C

[Virgule]

Hello,

 

I'm building a killer workstation for a MAC deserter and I have a question about thunderbolt 3. I know that the T3 standard uses the USB-C connector, which makes me wonder if I really need a T3 add-on card to enjoy some of T3's benefits. Here is the use case I'm dealing with :

 

My client wants to connect via the Thunderbolt 3 port of its NAS (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1293606-REG/promise_technology_p3r4hd12us_12tb_pegasus3_r4_thunderbolt.html) to use it as a work drive with T3 speeds. He doesn't want to use T3 for display purposes. Now can he uses the USB-C port of most motherboards' I/O for that or does he need a T3 add-on card that's hooked to one of the GPU's DP output (ex : https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813995053&cm_re=thunderbolt_3-_-13-995-053-_-Product) ?

 

Thanks

[Electronics Wizardy]

you need thunderbolt to connect to a thunderbolt das(but id use 10gbe instead personally)

 

That das uses the pcie of thunderbolt, so usb won't work.

[light-v]

A mobo's USB-C ports are just USB ports if it doesn't have a TB3 controller you'll need an add in card 

[The Benjamins]

9 minutes ago, Virgule said:

Hello,

 

I'm building a killer workstation for a MAC deserter and I have a question about thunderbolt 3. I know that the T3 standard uses the USB-C connector, which makes me wonder if I really need a T3 add-on card to enjoy some of T3's benefits. Here is the use case I'm dealing with :

 

My client wants to connect via the Thunderbolt 3 port of its NAS (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1293606-REG/promise_technology_p3r4hd12us_12tb_pegasus3_r4_thunderbolt.html) to use it as a work drive with T3 speeds. He doesn't want to use T3 for display purposes. Now can he uses the USB-C port of most motherboards' I/O for that or does he need a T3 add-on card that's hooked to one of the GPU's DP output (ex : https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813995053&cm_re=thunderbolt_3-_-13-995-053-_-Product) ?

 

Thanks

Speed wise USB 3.1 Gen2 (10Gbs) is fast enough for 4 disk raid 0, but check the HDD encloser manufacturer website to see if it backwards compatible with USB 3.1 Gen 2.

 

Edit: that HDD box looks to only support TB3 so make sure the MOBO has it or get a add in card.

[Mira Yurizaki]

As a note, USB Type C is not guaranteed to support any of the Type C alt-modes. It's only guaranteed to support some flavor of USB (and at the bare minimum, USB 1.0).

 

So if you want to use USB Type C, you have to make sure it supports the alt mode you want.

[Virgule]

Just now, M.Yurizaki said:

As a note, USB Type C is not guaranteed to support any of the Type C alt-modes. It's only guaranteed to support some flavor of USB (and at the bare minimum, USB 1.0).

 

So if you want to use USB Type C, you have to make sure it supports the alt mode you want.

Not sure I understand what you mean.

[Virgule]

2 minutes ago, The Benjamins said:

Speed wise USB 3.1 Gen2 (10Gbs) is fast enough for 4 disk raid 0, but check the HDD encloser manufacturer website to see if it backwards compatible with USB 3.1 Gen 2.

There's no mention of USB compatibility on the manufacturer's page so my guess is that double T3 connectivity is a thunderbolt 3 only interface.

[Virgule]

3 minutes ago, light-v said:

A mobo's USB-C ports are just USB ports if it doesn't have a TB3 controller you'll need an add in card 

Thanks, clear and concise.

[Virgule]

Thanks all for the help!

[Mira Yurizaki]

5 minutes ago, Virgule said:

Not sure I understand what you mean.

I probably don't get what you mean entirely in your OP.

 

Was thinking if you wanted to use Type C with Thunderbolt. However, even if you wanted to use USB 3.1 Gen 2, that's also not guaranteed with Type C. Type C phones use USB 2.0 for data protocols (still *sigh*)