USB 2.0 Question

I was just wondering what exactly *has* the USB 2.0 standard. Is it just that certain USB ports on your mobo can transfer at USB 2.0 speeds, but all USB connectors are identical. Or is it that USb 1.1 and 2.0 conectors work differently, but the 2.0 are backwards compatible ?
The reason I ask, and to calrify ;), is because I want to know if the USB ports on the top of my case could slow down transfer to USB 1.1 ?

The basic question im asking is. Is there any actual difference between a USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 port, apart from the internal hardware on the mobo supporting USB 2.0 speeds ?

USB 2.0 is a faster version of USB, it can handle a 480 mb connection versus 1 mb for usb.
Usb 1.1 is a rework of the existing usb 1 drivers so you can use usb 2.0 devices, but not at usb 2.0 speeds. Usb 2.0 can use older usb 1.1/1.0 devices just at usb1 speeds. There is also two versions of usb 2.0 products. High speed (480mb) and Full speed (12mb). The slower speed is suitable for lower powered devices that may run off batteries or be host powered (through the usb cable). As for cables I don't know, I think usb 2.0 cables are supposed to be of a higher standard, but I can't tell the difference by looking. Internal wiring maybe different.

you have to be very careful buying usb2 cables as there isent really a standard which they must pass and i have read many review on 'usb2' cables not living upto there speed. look for a good make if its very important to transfer rates

Quote:

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Originally posted by Gunbuster
USB 2.0 is a faster version of USB, it can handle a 480 mb connection versus 1 mb for usb.

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Slight correction - USB 1.1 handles upto 12 Mbps.
Theoretically a 40x performance increase however there is widespread evidence that this is not what is seen in practice!

As far as I can make out - the connectors for USB 2.0 and 1.1 are identical.

Read more here - http://www.usb.org/developers/usb20/faq20/

cheers,
dave