1m USB4 Gen 3x2 USB-C to USB-C Cable, 40Gbps, 240W EPR, 8K@60Hz, E-Marked, Black

The CableLeader U4101-XXXX is a USB4 Gen 3x2 cable with a USB Type-C male plug on each end, rated for 40 Gbps of data, 240W of Extended Power Range charging, and 8K@60Hz video on the same link. It is built for the situation a single-purpose cable cannot cover: a laptop that has to draw high wattage from a dock while simultaneously moving files to an external SSD and driving a high-resolution display.

Both ends are USB Type-C, reversible and electrically identical, so orientation never matters. Inside the jacket, eight 30 AWG coaxial conductors carry the two USB4 lanes at 20 Gbps each. The Gen 3x2 designation describes exactly that structure — two lanes at Gen 3 signaling — and it is what separates this cable from the Gen 2x2 20 Gbps class that shares the same connector.

Power is governed by the E-marker chip on the connector PCB. Under USB Power Delivery 3.1, any cable that carries 5A must actively declare that rating over the CC line, and the ETRON E-marker here does so, unlocking the full 48V/5A Extended Power Range. A cable without a 5A e-marker is capped by the charger at the 100W standard range regardless of its conductor size, which is why wattage claims on unmarked cables are unreliable.

The cable stock is UL AWM Style 20276, file E515987, rated 80C at 30V with VW-1 flame testing, and the jacket carries that marking. Every finished assembly passes a 100 percent open, short and miswire test, with contact resistance held under 3 ohms and insulation resistance above 10 megohms at DC 300V.

At 1 m the cable sits inside the passive copper limit for 40 Gbps signaling. Insertion loss at 20 Gbps per lane rises steeply with distance, so passive USB4 cables at this speed are built short by design; longer runs require an active cable with a retimer, or a step down to 20 Gbps. Bundled with the 4.95 mm outer diameter and TPE overmold, the result is a desk-length cable that holds full rated performance rather than a long cable that quietly negotiates down.

The black jacket provides a professional appearance and blends into standard office, rack, and enclosure installations.

Compatibility & Ordering Information — U4101-XXXX works with USB4 and USB-C hosts including current USB-C laptops, tablets and mini PCs, and connects to docking stations, eGPU enclosures, NVMe SSD enclosures, USB-C monitors, and PD 3.1 chargers. It is backward compatible with USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 devices at their native speeds. This family ships in 1 m, black. For a 2 m run where 20 Gbps is sufficient, see the USB4 Gen 2x2 240W family; both share the same 240W EPR power path.

Product Comparison: USB4 Gen 3x2 40Gbps vs USB4 Gen 2x2 20Gbps Cable

Both cables are USB4, both use USB Type-C male plugs on each end, and both deliver the full 240W Extended Power Range. They differ in lane speed, which sets both the data bandwidth and the maximum passive cable length. The table shows which one your link needs:

Rule of thumb: bandwidth is what shrinks with distance, not power. If the link carries an eGPU, a fast SSD enclosure, or an 8K panel, take the Gen 3x2 cable on this page and accept the 1 m length. If it is a desk-to-dock or charging run, the Gen 2x2 cable gives you 2 m with identical 240W EPR delivery.

FAQ

What is the difference between USB4 Gen 3x2 and Gen 2x2?

Gen 3x2 runs two lanes at 20 Gbps each for 40 Gbps total, while Gen 2x2 runs two lanes at 10 Gbps each for 20 Gbps total. Both use the same USB-C connector and both can carry 240W EPR power, so the practical difference is data bandwidth and video headroom: Gen 3x2 supports 8K@60Hz or dual 4K@60Hz, Gen 2x2 supports a single 4K@60Hz display.

Will this cable work with devices that are not USB4, and with Thunderbolt ports?

Yes for non-USB4 USB-C devices — the cable is backward compatible and runs USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 devices at their native speeds. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports use the same USB-C connector and USB4 signaling, so the cable connects physically and functions, but it is not Thunderbolt certified; where a certified Thunderbolt cable is specified, use one.

Do I need an e-marked cable for 240W charging?

Yes. USB Power Delivery 3.1 requires any cable carrying 5A to declare that rating through an e-marker chip, and Extended Power Range at 48V/5A is 240W. Without a 5A e-marker the charger negotiates down to the 100W standard range no matter how thick the conductors are. This cable carries an ETRON e-marker that reports the full 5A EPR rating.

Does either end have to go to the computer, and can I hot-plug it?

No — both ends are identical USB Type-C male plugs, electrically symmetrical, so either end connects to either device and the plug is reversible in the port. USB-C is hot-pluggable and the cable needs no drivers of its own; the host negotiates speed, power and display mode automatically once both ends are seated.

Should I buy the 40 Gbps 1 m cable or the 20 Gbps 2 m cable?

Choose 40 Gbps at 1 m when the link carries an eGPU, an NVMe enclosure, or an 8K display, since those need the full USB4 bandwidth and the passive copper limit at that speed keeps the cable short. Choose 20 Gbps at 2 m when the run is a desk-to-dock or charging path where 240W power and reach matter more than peak throughput.