MP 7,1 Confused about USB-C speeds

[ChromeCrescendo]

I am looking to get an external SSD for my 2019 MP 7,1

The Samsung T7, for maximum speed, requires USB 3.2

As such, I am wondering whether plugging the USB-C to USB-A cable that comes with the T7 into the MP 7.1's USB-A port will get me the top speed or whether I would have to use the USB-C to USB-C cable plugged into the MP 7,1 Thunderbolt 3 port in order to get the top speed?

Thank you and be well.

 

[chrfr]

I am looking to get an external SSD for my 2019 MP 7,1

The Samsung T7, for maximum speed, requires USB 3.2

As such, I am wondering whether plugging the USB-C to USB-A cable that comes with the T7 into the MP 7.1's USB-A port will get me the top speed or whether I would have to use the USB-C to USB-C cable plugged into the MP 7,1 Thunderbolt 3 port in order to get the top speed?

Thank you and be well.

The USB-C ports on the Mac Pro are rated at 10Gbps while the standard USB ports are only rated for a maximum of 5Gbps. You need to use the USB-C/Thunderbolt ports to get full speed out of the T7 drive.

 

[ChromeCrescendo]

The USB-C ports on the Mac Pro are rated at 10Gbps while the standard USB ports are only rated for a maximum of 5Gbps. You need to use the USB-C/Thunderbolt ports to get full speed out of the T7 drive.

Thank you. So, if I was to get a TB3 external drive like the Samsung X5, those same USB-C ports would give me 40Gbps, right?

 

[timerickson]

Yes, if the drive is TB3 and you're using a proper TB3 cable, you can get above 10Gb/s. Keep in mind the drive speed will almost certainly be lower than 40Gb/s though. The better TB3 external SSD drives may peak at about 2.8GB/s (aka ~22.4Gb/s).

A safe bet will be (hopefully) for a TB3 product to get double the speeds of a USB 3.2 product.

 

[timerickson]

This is a fun and useful time to learn the difference between bytes and bits, if you're at all confused about the numbers in my comment