# USB cable question (1.1 vs 2.0) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 27, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-cable-question-1-1-vs-2-0/435200 "2008-01-27T17:02:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-cable-question-1-1-vs-2-0/435200/1 "2008-01-27T17:02:44Z")
Is it possible to distinguish visually between an USB 1.1 and 2.0 cable? I just purchased a new printer/scanner and am using an old cable (I don’t remember where it came from). The old cable works, but I guess I should get a new one, but I don’t want to waste the money if I don’t have to. I printed one photo and it seemed to take a long time to send the image from PC to printer, but maybe it’s my imagination, or maybe it’s just because the new printer has better resolution. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-cable-question-1-1-vs-2-0/435200/2 "2008-01-27T17:12:33Z")
[QUOTE=ratatoskK] Is it possible to distinguish visually between an USB 1.1 and 2.0 cable? I just purchased a new printer/scanner and am using an old cable (I don’t remember where it came from). The old cable works, but I guess I should get a new one, but I don’t want to waste the money if I don’t have to. I printed one photo and it seemed to take a long time to send the image from PC to printer, but maybe it’s my imagination, or maybe it’s just because the new printer has better resolution. [/QUOTE] There is No difference as there is no such thing as a USB 2.0 cable. As long as the wire meets the USB spec then you’ll get the right performance. ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-cable-question-1-1-vs-2-0/435200/3 "2008-01-27T18:25:19Z")
[QUOTE=Kinthalis] There is No difference as there is no such thing as a USB 2.0 cable. As long as the wire meets the USB spec then you’ll get the right performance. [/QUOTE] Ummm… BS. USB 1.1 has a 15Mb/sec throughput rate; USB maxes out at 480Mb. For a printer, is that a huge differene? Not generally. But that doesn’t mean there’s no difference in the cabling standards. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-cable-question-1-1-vs-2-0/435200/4 "2008-01-27T20:36:03Z")
Google is a Doper’s friend. Putting in “difference between USB 1.1 and 2.0 cables” (without quotes) got me this as the first link: [http://www.everythingusb.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=809](http://www.everythingusb.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=809) ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-cable-question-1-1-vs-2-0/435200/5 "2008-01-27T23:39:42Z")
I did Google first, and I saw there are a variety of answers from saying it makes no difference to it makes a huge difference. Also I didn’t find any actual photos of any cables showing they look any different. I guess I’ll just go out and guy a new one for the hell of it. ---
**Author:** ![Arjuna34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Arjuna34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arjuna34)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-cable-question-1-1-vs-2-0/435200/6 "2008-01-28T01:11:37Z")
From the [USB.org FAQ](http://www.usb.org/developers/usb20/faq20/) > [@](#): > > Fully compliant Original USB cables will work fine at Hi-Speed USB speeds. USB cables are not all fully Original USB compliant and it is important to evaluate cables that you intend to include in your products. However, the [USB 2.0 spec](http://www.usb.org/developers/docs/) does list differences between “high-speed/full-speed” and “low speed” cables. For example, high-speed cables are required to have twisted pair conductors and braided shield, but this is optional for low speed cables (section 6.3, 6.6). You might look for the [HI-SPEED logo](http://www.usb.org/developers/compliance/logo/) to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-cable-question-1-1-vs-2-0/435200/7 "2008-01-28T01:51:53Z")
Windows pops up a notice telling you that you’re using a USB 1.1 connection, when a USB 2.0 is possible with an attached device. Without this message, I expect it’s using USB 2.0 transmission. You may wish to try some of the different sending modes. The more likely reason is the printer is set to a specialty setting that allows for drying time of the ink. The later is not the case if the delay is before starting to print. If you see the scanner light come on, that normally delays response until the light is warmed up. I don’t know why the manufacturer would activate the light before printing, but they don’t always do what makes best sense to the consumer. Like when one color of ink needs cleaning, and they force ink out of all the color heads. We know they just want to sell more expensive ink. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-cable-question-1-1-vs-2-0/435200/8 "2008-01-28T02:15:36Z")
[QUOTE=GiantRat] Ummm… BS. USB 1.1 has a 15Mb/sec throughput rate; USB maxes out at 480Mb. For a printer, is that a huge differene? Not generally. But that doesn’t mean there’s no difference in the cabling standards. [/QUOTE] Perhaps you should re-read my post. As long as the cable meets the USB spec, it will perform to USB 2.0 standards. Now, does it meet the specs? I don’t belive you can tell just by looking at it. I’d try hooking up a highr bandwidth devide, maybe your mp3 player, an external hardrive? That should let you know right quick whether it meets the specs or not.