USB 3.2 Gen 2 vs Gen 1 comes down to speed: Gen 2 runs at 10 Gbps, Gen 1 runs at 5 Gbps, and Gen 2x2 runs at 20 Gbps. The names look like version numbers, but they are speed labels, and the same speed has carried several names over the years. USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 are now called USB 3.2 Gen 1, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 is now USB 3.2 Gen 2. The connector tells you nothing, because a USB-A or USB-C port can be any of these speeds. This guide maps the old and new names, shows what each speed means in use, and explains how to check your own port.
Quick answer: USB 3.2 Gen 1 is 5 Gbps, Gen 2 is 10 Gbps, and Gen 2x2 is 20 Gbps over two lanes on a USB-C connector. Older names map onto them: USB 3.0 equals Gen 1, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 equals Gen 2. Look for the speed number, not the version. On the Gitfos C1Pro, two USB-C ports and one USB-A port run at 10 Gbps.
USB 3.2 Gen 2 vs Gen 1 vs Gen 2x2: the names decoded
USB 3.2 Gen 1, Gen 2, and Gen 2x2 are three speed tiers: 5, 10, and 20 Gbps.
| Current name | Speed | Lanes | Former names | Marketing name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 | 5 Gbps | 1 | USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1 | SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 10 Gbps | 1 | USB 3.1 Gen 2 | SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | 20 Gbps | 2 | None, new in USB 3.2 | SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps |
The names come from USB-IF's 2019 renaming. Gen 2x2 needs a USB-C connector, and the port and the device must both support it.
What each USB speed means in practice
Gen 2 moves data twice as fast as Gen 1, but the drive and the port both set the real speed. Divide the Gbps number by 8 for a rough ceiling in GB per second. Real transfers come in lower because of protocol overhead and the drive's own limits.
| Tier | Rough ceiling | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1, 5 Gbps | 0.6 GB/s | Keyboards, mice, webcams, hard drives |
| Gen 2, 10 Gbps | 1.25 GB/s | Portable SSDs and fast card readers |
| Gen 2x2, 20 Gbps | 2.5 GB/s | The fastest portable SSDs, on a supporting USB-C port |
How to tell which USB speed your port is
The connector shape does not tell you the speed, so check the label or the spec sheet.
- Look for a number beside the USB symbol on the port or box, such as 5, 10, or 20.
- Search the laptop or device spec sheet for "USB 3.2 Gen 1", "Gen 2", or "Gen 2x2".
- Use the cable that came with the device, because a slow cable caps a fast port.
USB speeds on the Gitfos C1Pro
The Gitfos C1Pro has ports at two speed tiers, 10 Gbps and 5 Gbps. Put a fast SSD on a 10 Gbps port and keep keyboards and mice on the 5 Gbps ports. Connect the hub to your computer with the included full-function USB-C cable.
| Port | Qty | Spec | Matching tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-C data | 2 | USB 3.2, 10Gbps | Gen 2 |
| USB-A data | 1 | USB 3.2, 10Gbps | Gen 2 |
| USB-A data | 4 | USB 3.0, 5Gbps | Gen 1 |
| USB-A data or charging | 2 | 5Gbps data or 7.5W charging | Gen 1 speed |
What the Gbps numbers do not tell you
A Gbps rating is a ceiling, and several things keep real speeds below it.
- Your drive, your computer's port, and the cable each cap the speed, and the slowest one wins.
- Devices on one hub share its single connection to the computer. The C1Pro's connection runs at 10 Gbps, so two fast SSDs used at the same time will not each reach 10 Gbps.
- No C1Pro port is rated for 20 Gbps, so Gen 2x2 speeds are not available on it.
- The USB ports on the C1Pro do not output video. Only the HDMI port does.
- The C1Pro needs its 65W DC power adapter connected. It has no bus-powered mode.
- Gitfos has not published sustained transfer-speed tests for the C1Pro, so treat the port ratings as maximums.
Frequently asked questions
Most of the confusion comes from renaming, not from different technology.
What is the difference between USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2?
Speed. USB 3.2 Gen 1 runs at up to 5 Gbps, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 runs at up to 10 Gbps. Both can use USB-A or USB-C connectors, so the plug shape does not tell you which one a port is.
Is USB 3.0 the same as USB 3.2 Gen 1?
Yes. USB-IF renamed USB 3.0, also called USB 3.1 Gen 1, to USB 3.2 Gen 1. It is the same 5 Gbps speed under a new name.
Is USB 3.2 Gen 2 the same as USB 3.1 Gen 2?
Yes. USB 3.1 Gen 2 was renamed USB 3.2 Gen 2. Both run at up to 10 Gbps, and a device sold under either name works the same way.
What is USB 3.2 Gen 2x2?
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 is a 20 Gbps mode that uses two 10 Gbps lanes. It requires a USB-C connector, and both the port and the device must support it to reach full speed.
Next steps
When you shop, read the speed in Gbps and ignore the version number. For a hub with 10 Gbps USB-C and USB-A ports, see the Gitfos C1Pro, browse more hubs and charging options, or reach the team through the support center. More buying advice lives in the Guides blog.