Extension cables for USB ports
Extension cables for USB ports
Hey, I'm trying to understand USB C extension cables better. They seem to mess with device performance, especially with my SSDs. The setup looks like this: my motherboard has one USB-C port on the back, my PC is connected via a ~6-foot male to female cable, and I use a Ugreen 10GBPS hub with four ports. I also have a card reader and external SSDs all rated at 10GBPS, but only one can be used at a time for testing. When I connect card readers or SSDs through the hub, speeds fluctuate—sometimes files don’t transfer at all, other times they’re slow or inconsistent. Removing the hub and plugging devices directly into the port works fine. The issue might be related to the USB-C cables themselves, possibly due to chip compatibility problems. Most hubs come with fixed cables, so I’m hoping someone can explain this. Thanks for your help!
The cable might support 100W, yet the USB-C connection won’t, meaning placing the hub in the center—especially without its own power supply—is drawing excessive energy. USB devices require full power from a standard USB port, and even with a powered hub, compatibility issues can arise when they’re not connected directly to the PC port. A single extension cord could be enough to prevent the drive from functioning properly.
It seems the details are a bit limited. The motherboard lists ports under "AMD Processor" with specific speeds but lacks more information. Given it's an uncommon chipset feature, it might indicate a power-related issue, which is unfortunate since there aren't many solutions available.
The connection isn't assured to work, a USB port shouldn't exceed 900mA at 5v. In Thunderbolt mode it can deliver more power thanks to higher voltages, so perhaps a Thunderbolt hub would be beneficial. I haven't used one before, so I don't know how they manage USB device power.