Thunderbolt 5 Has Arrived: Key Information Regarding This Interface

Thunderbolt 5 is the forthcoming iteration of the Thunderbolt interface, intended to supersede Thunderbolt 4.

This text provides comprehensive information regarding Thunderbolt 5, its comparison with Thunderbolt 4, and the rationale for upgrading when appropriate.

What is Thunderbolt 5?

Thunderbolt 5 is the most recent version of Intel's Thunderbolt protocol. The word Thunderbolt refers to a hardware interface created by Intel that facilitates high-speed data transfer, video output, and power delivery through a single cable.

Similar to its predecessors, Thunderbolt 5 is constructed upon the prevalent USB protocol, utilizing the most recent iteration: USB4 v2. It additionally supports PCI Gen 4 and DisplayPort 2.1, and is entirely compatible with earlier Thunderbolt standards.

In contrast to the prior transition from Thunderbolt 3 to 4, Thunderbolt 5 markedly enhances bandwidth and communication speeds, facilitating new opportunities. The principal modifications are categorized into three areas: elevated minimum power delivery standards, a maximum data transfer bandwidth increase of up to 2x, and enhanced minimum PC bandwidth requirements.

Thunderbolt 5 provides 80 gigabits per second (Gbps) of bi-directional bandwidth, and with Bandwidth Boost mode, it can achieve up to 120 Gbps in one direction and 40 Gbps in the opposite direction. This is feasible due to the inclusion of four lanes for data transmission (two in each direction at 40Gbps, totaling 80Gbps). Boost mode amalgamates three lanes to transmit data unidirectionally, achieving a maximum throughput of 120Gbps (40Gbps x 3).

It accommodates high-refresh-rate displays of up to 540Hz, a first for the Thunderbolt protocol. Alternatively, you can concurrently connect three 4K 144Hz monitors, an enhancement from the prior two at 60Hz. Additionally, in contrast to version 4, it accommodates several 8K monitors concurrently, attributable to the enhanced bandwidth.

Thunderbolt 5 markedly enhances power delivery, ensuring a minimum of 140W and a maximum of 240W. This indicates that we will witness an increase in high-quality gaming laptops use a Thunderbolt-certified USB-C port for charging, rather than proprietary interfaces. This delineates the distinction between Thunderbolt and USB-C, should you require further elucidation.

The third significant feature of Thunderbolt 5 is the doubling of data bandwidth from 32Gbps to 64Gbps, which is advantageous for connecting external SSDs and GPUs.

Thunderbolt 5 versus Thunderbolt 4: What are the distinctions?

Thunderbolt 5 and Thunderbolt 4 exhibit numerous distinctions. To facilitate comparison, below is a summary table of the technical capabilities of each protocol:

Reasons to Upgrade to Thunderbolt 5

Thunderbolt 5 provides enhanced bandwidth and communication capabilities, facilitating expedited charging, accelerated data transmission, and concurrent connections to numerous displays at superior resolutions and refresh rates compared to version 4. For artists and gamers, transitioning to Thunderbolt 5 is unequivocally advantageous. This protocol provides simultaneous connectivity to several high-resolution monitors.

Increasing the bandwidth to 64Gbps is noteworthy. It facilitates accelerated data transfer rates, potentially conserving time when often managing substantial files on external storage devices for activities such as video editing. The enhanced charging speeds facilitate even swifter charging, allowing for rapid replenishment of your Thunderbolt 5-compliant laptop.

Although currently limited in availability, acquiring a Thunderbolt 5 device is advisable if you find Thunderbolt 4's constraints burdensome. For a compliant cable, consider purchasing Cable Matter's Thunderbolt 5 cable, the inaugural product of its kind on the market. It is offered in lengths of 1ft, 1.6ft, and 3.3ft, supporting 240W charging and a bandwidth of up to 120Gbps. It accommodates one 8K monitor at 120Hz, one 4K monitor at 540Hz, or three 4K displays at 144Hz.