Technology glossary

USB 3.2 Gen 2x2

A USB 3.2 speed tier that runs two 10 Gbps lanes together for 20 Gbps transfers.

According to USB-IF’s USB 3.2 naming guidelines, Gen 1 runs at 5 Gbps, Gen 2 at 10 Gbps and Gen 2x2 at 20 Gbps; Gen 2x2 reaches this speed by operating two 10 Gbps lanes together. Because USB Type-C cables were designed from the outset for multi-lane operation, this speed is seen in practice on USB-C ports. The guidelines recommend the consumer name “SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps”.

USB 3.2 only defines transfer speed; it says nothing about connector type, cable or charging power. A 20 Gbps USB-C port on a case front panel reaches 20 Gbps only if the motherboard has a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 front-panel header and the connected device also supports Gen 2x2. Thunderbolt and USB4 are separate standards.

Devices using this technology

PC cases · 2024

Fractal Design Era 2

The Fractal Design Era 2 is an 18.97-litre Mini-ITX case with an aluminium body and a walnut top panel. Its sliding central wall trades graphics card space against cooler height, with GPUs up to 326 mm; it offers up to a 280 mm radiator on top, two pre-installed Aspect 12 fans at the bottom, SFX/SFX-L power supply support and a 20 Gbps front USB-C port. Independent testing rated thermals and cable management very good; a cracked wooden panel and a misaligned side panel on the review sample were noted as build-quality concerns.

PC cases · 2023

Fractal Design Terra

The Terra is Fractal Design's 10.4-litre Mini-ITX case: anodised aluminium panels, a walnut front and a movable central spine that trades space between the graphics card and CPU cooler. It ships with a PCIe 4.0 riser cable and takes an SFX/SFX-L power supply and graphics cards up to 322 mm. Reviews praise the build quality and flexibility but find the noise profile of the slatted side panels and GPU temperatures with the doors closed weak.

PC cases · 2022

Fractal Design North Chalk White (Mesh)

The North is a mid-tower ATX case introduced by Fractal Design in December 2022: real oak or walnut slats and brass details on the front, 42 litres of volume, two 140 mm Aspect fans and a 20 Gbps USB-C front port. It takes a 355 mm graphics card, a 145 mm CPU cooler and a 360 mm front radiator. Tests found it quiet with adequate cooling at low fan speeds, and criticised fan bearing noise and the stock fans’ noise at full speed. Owners praise the look and easy building; thin materials, no room for a 360 mm top radiator and stiff screw threads are repeated complaints.

Sources

  1. USB-IF: USB 3.2 Specification Language Usage Guidelines