The simplest explanation is that USB-C refers to the shape of the port and Thunderbolt 3 refers to the connectivity standard. Thunderbolt 3 combines Thunderbolt, USB, DisplayPort and power via a single USB-C connector..
Accordingly, is USB C the same as Thunderbolt 3?
The Thunderbolt 3 port has the same design as the USB-C port. It's speed allows for quicker access more data when compared to USB-C. Thunderbolt 3 works at 40Gbps while USB-C works at 10 Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 can present video content on two 4K displays or one 5k display while USB-C can present one 4K display.
Subsequently, question is, do I need a thunderbolt 3 cable? Yes, Thunderbolt 3 ports are fully compatible with USB devices and cables. At launch, there'll be one passive Thunderbolt 3 cable that supports Thunderbolt, USB 3.1, and DisplayPort 1.2, but with a max bandwidth of only 20Gbps. Intel confirms that this passive cable will be a standard, cheap USB Type-C cable.
Also, can Thunderbolt use USB C?
You can use your USB-C Power Adapter and charge cable with any Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or USB-C port on your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook, or iPad Pro.
What can I use Thunderbolt 3 for?
You can use it to connect your Mac or PC to displays, transfer data quickly between computers and hard drives, daisy chain external devices, and power up - all with just one physical connection. Remember that not all USB Type-C ports support Thunderbolt 3.
Related Question Answers
Can Thunderbolt 3 connect to USB?
Can I connect USB devices to a Thunderbolt 3 port? Yes, Thunderbolt 3 ports are fully compatible with USB devices and cables.Which is faster USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt?
Thunderbolt 3 is really fast, transmitting at a whopping max transfer rate of 40Gbps. That makes it four times faster than USB 3.1, eight times faster than USB 3.0, and twice as fast as Thunderbolt 2.Can you plug USB C to Thunderbolt 3?
You can plug a USB-C device and cable into a Thunderbolt 3 port whenever you want because Thunderbolt 3 fully supports USB-C. So a USB-C hard drive you have can be used in any of the Thunderbolt 3 ports on your MacBook Pro, or in the USB-C port on your 12-inch MacBook.Do you need Thunderbolt 3 for external GPU?
You'll also need a relatively new notebook equipped with a Thunderbolt 3-compatible USB-C port. These days most Thunderbolt 3 laptops and graphics card enclosures play nicely together thanks to Intel's Thunderbolt 3 external graphics compatibility technology, which PC makers must specifically enable.Is USB C the future?
It's a new specification for a future generation of USB connectivity (think 2021 and beyond). USB4 promises to simplify to one connection type (USB-C) and be capable of up to 40Gbps transfer speed. It's the next step after USB 3.2, which is coming soon. You may be wondering why it's called USB4 rather than USB 4.0.Is Thunderbolt going away?
The established high-end connector isn't going away immediately, as Apple used yesterday's event to also announce Thunderbolt 2 upgrades for the MacBook Air and Pro, but it will be swimming upstream to remain relevant in the face of an oncoming deluge of Type-C peripherals and devices.How do I know if my laptop supports Thunderbolt 3?
If the computer supports Thunderbolt 3 this will typically be a main feature listed in the manual and on the product page for the computer on the manufacturer's website. Some USB-C ports, such as the ones pictured below, have a Thunderbolt logo printed next to them to identify the ports as Thunderbolt 3 compatible.What is difference between USB C and Thunderbolt 3?
This means Thunderbolt 3 can present video on two 4K displays or one 5K screen, while USB-C is limited to a single 4K display. The other major difference between the two is that Thunderbolt 3 supports daisy chaining of connected devices, allowing for a single port on a computer to be used.Are USB C and lightning the same?
The similarities between Lightning and USB-C are obvious, but they're not the same thing. Lightning ports are slimmer and more suitable for mobile devices. UPDATE: 2019 iPad Pro models feature a USB-C port. The iPhone and other iPad models still use the Lightning connector.Is USB 3.1 the same as USB C?
USB-C, USB 3.1, and Transfer Rates That's double the bandwidth—as fast as a first-generation Thunderbolt connector. USB Type-C isn't the same thing as USB 3.1, though. USB Type-C is just a connector shape, and the underlying technology could just be USB 2 or USB 3.0.Can any USB C cable charge MacBook?
For best performance, use an 87W power brick with a 5A/100W USB C cable. Or buy an Apple MacBook Pro USB C power brick, since those are its specifications. More watts will not result in faster charging, unless the MacBook Pro can negotiate a higher current draw.Is there a MagSafe to USB C?
Unfortunately the MagSafe doesn't plug into USB-C and Apple has not made an adapter for this purpose. Well, that's not a problem. You don't really need the MagSafe, because you can plug in your MacBook using your own power supply.Can you add Thunderbolt to a laptop?
Yes and no. To be Thunderbolt compliant, you do need the usb type C 3.1 gen 2 port as the connector but you will also need the chip controller (Alpine ridge) as well in order to have thunderbolt. Having 3.1 gen 2 type c ports does not mean you have thunderbolt. There is no way to make a laptop Thunderbolt compatible.Are all USB C cables the same?
No, not all USB-C cables are equal. USB-C stands for the shape and type of connector, which is the same for all USB-C cables but not all cables support the same kind of protocols and transfer speeds.What is a USB 3.0 port?
USB 3.0 is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, released in November 2008. Most new computers and devices being manufactured today support USB 3.0. It's often referred to as SuperSpeed USB. Devices that adhere to the USB 3.0 standard can theoretically transmit data at a maximum rate of 5 Gbps, or 5,120 Mbps.What does USB C look like?
The USB-C connector looks similar to a micro USB connector at first glance, though it's more oval in shape and slightly thicker to accommodate its best feature: flippability. Like Lightning and MagSafe, the USB-C connector has no up or down orientation.Why is Thunderbolt 3 so expensive?
For starters, active cables are more expensive, which is probably one of the reasons why companies tend to bundle shorter, passive cables with their Thunderbolt 3 products. Another issue with active cables is that they lack backwards compatibility with USB 3. x.Can you extend a Thunderbolt cable?
If a device has a Thunderbolt port, use a longer cable. If the device has a permanently attached cable with Thunderbolt plug, there is no way to extend it.How can I tell if my USB is Thunderbolt?
To determine if your component is a Thunderbolt 3 device, look for the Thunderbolt 3 symbol (shown below). USB-C devices do not include this symbol. 
