Windows 10: USB3 cables - some are great, some suck, why?

Dell laptop with USB-C ports. As far as I know, the 3.1 drivers are on and the box is happy.
Device is a simple external, usb-powered carrier with a 256GB SSD in it. ALSO a USB3 type-C port.
Plug in cable A (1-meter, C to C) and start copying data (standard drag and drop in Windows 10). FASTEST transfer is 39-40 MBps. Unplug and plug in cable B, also 1-meter, C to C. Shove same data across. Transfer speed is between 420 and 440 MBps. Better than 10X faster.

Put SSD in a different usb-powered carrier that has a USB 3-micro B port. Plug this into a USB 3 type-A connector on the laptop. Connect up with cable C, 1-meter USB3 Type-A to microB. Shove same or different data. FASTEST is again around 38 MBps. Switch to a different cable. Again, 1-meter, USB 3, Type-a to microB. Shove data and transfer is between 290 and 320 MBps.

Memory card reader (camera XQD memory) does exactly the same thing - USB-3, Type-A to micro B. Bad cable never gets to 40MBps, good one reads at around 300 MBps.

It appears to have nothing to do with price - I've got expensive, thick, great-looking USB-3 cables that won't get past 40MB, and cheap Amazon Basics cables that consistently shove 440 MBps from C to C between computer and external SSD. Or between Type-A port and microB SSD.

At this point, I"ve got a HALF DOZEN cables with red labels on the Type-A plug so I ONLY use them for charging devices 'cause they totally SUCK at moving data. Same for a couple Type-C to Type-C cables. I got a couple SIX INCH cables for hooking up external SSD. Never get past 40 MBps. I've got 1-, 2- and THREE METER Type-A to Type-C cables that shove over 400 MBps in the same configuration.

I tried the same thing on my desktop, which doesn't have any Type-C ports, but everything USB-3, Type-A to microB, or Type-A to Type-C acts exactly the same as it does on the laptop.

ALL the cables are either Type-C and/or have the BLUE plug indicating they're USB-3. So HOW, when buying cables to you make sure you're getting something that'll actually provide decent performance? 'Cause price DEFINITELY isn't a meaningful metric...

:)

 

Cat bit into Headset cable

Thats gotta suck man!! but i feel your pain.

I also have a cat and here is the list of things she has killed of mine (chewed the cord of)

Keyboard
Mouse
Headphones
2.0 Speakers
Webcam
Ethernet cable
usb3 2.5 enclosure (still works thank god)

But i love her lol

 

Strange behaviour with Ethernet cable runnng on usb3 adapter

hi there,

to make a long story short, my touchpad with the pointer goes bezerk when i have the usb3 hub connected and i plug the internet via an ethernet cable.

the mouse (external) works fine - everything works fine when it's on wireless though.

If i plug the cable to the usb3 adapter BUT not into the router, the touchpad cursor is OK, just when you plug into the router and gets an actual connection, then it goes mad.

I cannot test with another router and Asus support suggested to try with a switch with i dont have, i tried with a usb3 hub - same thing happening - and i dont have any other usb to ethernet adapter to try.

This is odd and started to happen with this new connection we have which runs over the TV cable on coaxial.

The computer went into surgery few months ago for a battery change so might be related with that?

any ideas welcome - no biggie since wireless works very fast but still would like to use ethernet from time to time.

thanks,
Gabrio

- - - Updated - - -

More context

in order to plug an ethernet i need to use an usb3 to ethernet gigabit adapter.



i
am experiencing errating behaviour with the mouse when i plug that
adapter, i did a bit of search and found someone with the same problem,
please see this article:



laptop - Why touchpad glitches when Ethernet cable is connected? - Super User



also,
could it be the power adapter of my router not grounded or something
like that? I am using ethernet via an internet connection with Ziggo
that comes off the TV cable.



when the Ethernet is
plugged, the laptops's touchpad starts glitching: can't move/press
buttons, cursor is oscillating even when I don't move finger. or if i
keep the finger on it will start moving oddly.



If i unplug the adaptor and stay on wifi then it's back to normal.

 

Windows 10 continually mounting and unmounting USB3 connected external Hard Drive and USB3 Memory stick.

Hi Delboy,

We would like to know if this problem only happens with your USB3 hard drives and USB3 port?

Let us help you isolate this issue. Since you mentioned above that the problem occurs after the last update, we suggest that you perform these steps and see if it helps:

Uninstall Windows update.

We don’t usually recommend that you remove any installed updates. However, if you must remove an update, you can do so from the update history.
Here's how:

• Select Start button and select Settings.
• Click on Update & Security.
• Click on Windows Update.
• Select Advanced options and click on
  View your update history.
• Click on Uninstall updates.

We will be waiting for your response.