Data Cables Cables
Cables primarily used for data transfer (USB, Thunderbolt, Ethernet).
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Thunderbolt 3 Cable (USB-C)
The Thunderbolt 3 Cable (USB-C) at 40Gbps supports dual 4K@60Hz displays and 100W power delivery. Critical gotcha: passive cables only hit 40Gbps at 0.5m — longer passive cables drop to 20Gbps. For full speed at longer lengths, use active Thunderbolt 3 cables (up to 100m). Backward compatible with USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 devices.
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Thunderbolt 4 Cable (USB-C)
The Thunderbolt 4 Cable (USB-C) delivers 40Gbps bandwidth with mandatory DP Alt Mode video, PCIe tunneling, and 100W USB Power Delivery. Intel-certified for dual 4K displays or a single 8K. Every TB4 cable is also a USB4 cable — fully backward compatible. Passive cables max out at 2m at full speed. Requires E-Marker chip.
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USB-A to USB Micro-B Cable (USB 2.0)
The USB-A to USB Micro-B Cable (USB 2.0) at 480Mbps is the classic Micro-USB cable for PS4 controllers, Xbox One controllers, Kindle e-readers, and thousands of older accessories. Delivers 2W charging. Still the most common legacy USB cable you’ll find in a drawer. Being replaced by USB-C, but these cables will be around for years.
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USB-A to USB-B Cable (USB 2.0)
This is the standard cable shipped with most audio interfaces (Focusrite Scarlett generations 1-3, SSL 2/2+, MOTU M2/M4, Behringer UMC series) and USB turntables. Any USB-A to USB-B cable works regardless of USB version labeling — USB 2.0 Type-B is identical to printer cables. USB Audio Class devices need only USB 2.0 bandwidth. AWG 28/24…
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USB-A to USB-B Cable (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
The USB-A to USB-B Cable (USB 3.2 Gen 1) at 5Gbps connects printers, audio interfaces, monitors with USB hubs, and older peripherals. The square USB-B end plugs into the device; the flat USB-A end plugs into your computer. Still widely used for pro audio gear and office printers. Blue connectors indicate SuperSpeed 3.x — black…
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USB-A to USB-C Cable (USB 2.0)
The USB-A to USB-C Cable (USB 2.0) at 480Mbps is the budget charging-and-sync cable for USB-C devices. Just 2W charging and basic data — the cable most often included in the box with phones, earbuds, and controllers. Fine for keyboard/mouse connections. Don’t expect fast file transfers — upgrade to Gen 1 or Gen 2 for…
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USB-A to USB-C Cable (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
The USB-A to USB-C Cable (USB 3.2 Gen 1) at 5Gbps is the workhorse cable for connecting USB-C devices to USB-A ports on older computers and consoles. Up to 4W charging. Handles external drives, controllers, and accessories at decent speeds. The most commonly sold USB-A to USB-C cable type.
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USB-A to USB-C Cable (USB 3.2 Gen 2)
The USB-A to USB-C Cable (USB 3.2 Gen 2) at 10Gbps connects newer USB-C devices to PCs, consoles, and chargers with USB-A ports. Up to 7W power delivery. Good for fast external SSD transfers and quick phone charging. Note: USB-A limits power delivery compared to USB-C to USB-C cables.
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USB-C to USB-B Cable (USB 2.0)
As laptops drop USB-A ports, this cable bridges modern host devices to USB-B peripherals like audio interfaces. USB Audio Class 2.0 compliance is maintained — high-resolution audio (24-bit/192kHz) works without issues. Electrically equivalent to USB-A to USB-B plus a USB-C adapter, but in a single cable. Ensure the cable supports data transfer (not charge-only).
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USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB 2.0)
The USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB 2.0) at 480Mbps is primarily a charging cable — 15W max. Data transfers crawl at USB 2.0 speeds. No video output capability. The cheapest USB-C cable tier and the one most often bundled with budget devices. Don’t use this for external drives or displays — you need USB 3.2…
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USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
The USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB 3.2 Gen 1) at 5Gbps with up to 60W charging is the standard bundled cable with many devices. Good enough for external hard drives and moderate charging. Passive up to 2m. Step up to Gen 2 (10Gbps) for external SSDs. Look for the SuperSpeed trident logo.
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USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB 3.2 Gen 2)
The USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB 3.2 Gen 2) at 10Gbps with up to 100W power delivery is the sweet spot for most users. Fast enough for external SSDs, NVMe enclosures, and quick charging. Passive cables up to 1m. No video output unless your devices support DP Alt Mode. Check for USB-IF certification to ensure…
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USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB4 40Gbps)
The USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB4 40Gbps) at 40Gbps carries data, video (DP Alt Mode for 8K@30Hz), and up to 240W charging through a single cable. Requires E-Marker chip. Short max passive length (0.8m) — this is a performance cable, not a long-run solution. Backward compatible with all USB 3.x and USB 2.0 devices.
