USB 2.0 vs USB 3.0 - What's best for bootable USB Flash Drives
|
USB 2.0 |
USB 3.0 |
|
| Data transfer rate |
Up to 480 megabits per second (Mbps) Speed is limited to 480 megabits per second (Mbps), even if connected to USB 3.0 port |
Up to 5 gigabits per second (Gbps) USB port must be USB 3.0 as well, as otherwise the speeds will be off USB 2.0 |
| Compatibility |
USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 |
USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 |
We use USB 2.0, and here’s why: While USB 3.0 offers significantly higher transfer speeds (up to 10 times faster), for bootable USB flash drives with Linux OS or Computer Repair Utility, the difference isn’t very noticeable when running a Live OS. Since no constant data transfer occurs during booting, the speed advantage of USB 3.0 is minimal in this scenario. The biggest speed difference is noticeable only during Linux OS installation, which is not a daily task.
Additionally, many older and even some current PCs still have USB 2.0 ports, which cap transfer speeds at 480 Mbps, even if a USB 3.0 drive is used. Cost efficiency also plays a role, as USB 2.0 flash drives are more affordable to produce, allowing us to keep the selling price as low as possible.