USB Naming is a disaster confusing, I have four Thunderbolt 3 devices connected to four USB C style ports on my Mac mini.

USB C is a standard for a port style, not a data transfer protocol. The USB data transfer protocols are numbered. The USB C port is used by USB 3.1, USB 3.2 (sometimes called USB 3.1 gen2), USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4. There are differences in the internal port connections but they are mutually compatible, the main difference with Thunderbolt 3 and 4 cables and connectors is sufficient shielding and wiring to handle the 40 Gbs speeds without either garbling the signal through crosstalk or emitting radio-frequency radiation. For more complete information see this excellent Wikipedia article.


"All you've got to do is own up to your ignorance
honestly, and you'll find people who are eager to
fill your head with information"
--Walt Disney