Thunderbolt 5 revealed with 3x improvement from Thunderbolt 4, 240W charging, up to 120 Gbps bandwidth, PCIe 64Gbps support.
Thunderbolt is a technology that allows devices to transfer data at very high speeds using a USB-C port. It can also deliver power and video signals, making it a versatile and powerful interface for laptops, desktops, and peripherals. Thunderbolt has evolved over the years, from the first generation that offered 10 Gbps of bandwidth in 2011, to the fourth generation that doubled the speed to 40 Gbps in 2020. Now, Intel has officially announced the fifth generation of Thunderbolt, which promises to be even faster and more capable than ever before.
What is Thunderbolt 5 and how does it work?
Thunderbolt 5 is the latest version of the Thunderbolt standard, which is based on the USB4 v2 specification. It is compatible with previous generations of Thunderbolt and USB devices, and uses the same USB-C connector. However, Thunderbolt 5 offers some significant improvements over its predecessors, such as:
- Up to 120 Gbps of bandwidth for external displays using Bandwidth Boost mode. This mode is activated when a high-bandwidth display is connected, and allows Thunderbolt 5 to send data at 120 Gbps in one direction, while receiving data at 40 Gbps in the other direction. This is ideal for content creators who need to transfer large video files or stream high-resolution content to multiple monitors.
- Up to 80 Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth for data transfer using four logical lanes of 40 Gbps each. This is twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4, and eight times as fast as the original Thunderbolt. This means that users can transfer files, connect to external storage devices, or network with other PCs at blazing speeds.
- Up to 240 W of power delivery for charging devices or powering peripherals. This is more than enough for any laptop battery, and can also support devices that require more power, such as external graphics cards or docking stations.
- Up to 64 Gbps of PCIe support for connecting to high-performance devices, such as SSDs or GPUs. This is double the PCIe support of Thunderbolt 4, and allows users to access the full potential of their devices without compromising performance.
- Enhanced security features, such as Intel VT-d based DMA protection, which prevents unauthorized access to memory by malicious devices.
When will Thunderbolt 5 be available and what devices will support it?
Intel expects PCs and accessories with Thunderbolt 5 to be released in 2024. The company will provide technical resources and development tools to developers in Q4 of 2024. Some of the first devices that will support Thunderbolt 5 are likely to be Intel’s own products, such as laptops powered by its Alder Lake processors or desktops with its Sapphire Rapids chips. However, other manufacturers are also expected to adopt Thunderbolt 5 for their products, especially since Intel does not charge royalties for using the technology.
Thunderbolt 5 will be compatible with devices that support previous versions of Thunderbolt and USB, so users will not have to worry about compatibility issues. However, to take full advantage of the speed and features of Thunderbolt 5, users will need devices that support the new standard, as well as cables that are certified for Thunderbolt 5.
Why should you care about Thunderbolt 5?
Thunderbolt 5 is a technology that offers many benefits for users who need fast and reliable data transfer, power delivery, and video output. It can enable new use cases and scenarios that were not possible before, such as:
- Connecting multiple high-resolution displays or VR headsets to a laptop or desktop without sacrificing quality or performance.
- Transferring large amounts of data between devices or storage systems in seconds or minutes instead of hours or days.
- Expanding the capabilities of a laptop or desktop by adding external graphics cards, SSDs, or other peripherals that require high bandwidth and power.
- Networking with other PCs or servers at speeds that rival wired Ethernet connections.
Thunderbolt 5 is a technology that aims to meet the needs of power users who demand more from their devices. It offers a combination of speed, versatility, and security that makes it a compelling choice for anyone who values performance and productivity.
Thunderbolt 5 release date
The Thunderbolt 5 is expected to be available in 2024, and will be supported by devices from Intel and other manufacturers. Thunderbolt 5 is a technology that can enable new possibilities and experiences for users who need fast and reliable data transfer, power delivery, and video output. It is a technology that you should care about if you value performance and productivity.
Conclusion
Thunderbolt 5 is the next generation of high-speed data transfer technology that offers up to 120 Gbps of bandwidth for external displays, up to 80 Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth for data transfer, up to 240 W of power delivery for charging or powering devices, up to 64 Gbps of PCIe support for connecting high-performance devices, and enhanced security features. It is compatible with previous versions of Thunderbolt and USB devices, and uses the same USB-C connector.
