Thunderbolt 5 is slowly visible in more and more equipment. In September 2023, this generation of preview, Intel’s advanced connectivity protocol promises significant improvement in speed and bandwidth benefits. Here you need to know about Thunderbolt 5.
Next generation of Thunderbolt
Has emerged as Thunderbolt (TB) A versatile connectivity protocol For computers that require a reliable and fast way to give data, power and videos. With more stringent specifications, it is often preferred on USB for high bandwidth needs. Thunderbolt 3 (TB3) and Thunderbolt 4 (TB 4) have contributed significantly to the installation of the protocol, but Thunderbolt 5 (TB5) is here to take things to the next level.
This greatly enhances the capabilities of TB protocol by supporting 80 GBPS bi-directional bandwidth. But this is not all. The new version supports a feature called Thunderbolt bandwidth boost, which enables 120 GBPS bandwidth in one direction for a increased performance experience. In particular, the bandwidth decreases to 40 GBPS in the second direction when using bandwidth boost.
Impressive abilities of Thunderbolt 5, designed to complete a wide range of users, including material creators, gamers and AI professionals, providing a high-bandwid connection for many functions. As the new TB version is built on various industry standards, including USB4 80GBPS, it is fully compatible with the USB4.
How is this different from Thunderbolt 4?
Although both TB5 and TB4 rely on the same USB Type-C connector and remain backward, Thunderbolt 5 is a significant leap from the Thunderbolt 4. It makes almost all aspects on TB4.
In addition to 120 GBPS in the already extended bandwidth and bandwidth boost mode of 80 GBPS in regular mode, it offers high strength distribution capabilities. The TB5 supports up to 240W power delivery (with minimum 140W) compared to 140W (with minimum 100W) introduced by TB 4.
In addition, it supports PCI Gen 4 Thrupoot of 64 GBPS for rapid storage and external GPU connections. In comparison, the TB4 PCIE GEN 3 is limited to 32 GBPS of throwput.
The TB5 is also compatible with the displayport 2.1 for video connection and can handle a single display with a refresh rate of up to 540Hz, up to three 4K displays at 144Hz, or up to two 8k displays on 60Hz. The TB4 displayport is built at 1.4 and can support up to a single display on only 360Hz, up to two 4K displays at 60Hz, or up to an 8K display on 60Hz.
Another remarkable difference between two Thunderbolt generations is the signaling technique used in data transfer. While TB4 uses Pam-2 or NRZ (non-Return-to-zero) signaling, TB5 is upgraded to use PAM-3. The upgrade of PAM-3 is important for increased bandwidth of Thunderbolt 5, as the new signaling technique allows it to distribute more data on the same frequency bandwidth using three voltage levels instead of two used in NRZ. Another advantage of signaling changes is that the passive copper TB5 cable may have a much higher maximum length TB4, the same as two meters, despite the high bandwidth requirements.
For long lengths, you can always rely on the active and fiber optic cable for both generations.
Finally, the TB5 is doubled in TB4 from 10 GBPS in TB4 for Ultra-Fast PC-to-PC connection.
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How does it benefit you?
Thunderbolt 5, which is based on various open industry standards and protocols, simplifies connectivity by distributing power, data and videos through single cable. Its latest generation is carrying on the limits of what is possible with the standard and can you get out of it. Here are some ways that can benefit you.
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You can transfer incredibly rapid data between an external drive with computers and computers and thunderbolt.
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If you like a multi-monitor setup, you like a lot in TB5. Thanks to its bandwidth boost mode, you can drive up to three 4K displays at a refresh rate of up to 144hz with comfortable 10-bit color, or two 8K displays with a fresh rate of 60Hz and 10-bit color, from a single Thunderbolt 5 port.
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Its enlarged PCIE throwput will enable you to connect any modern GPU using a compatible EGPU attachment or an EGPU with your laptop, which meets your gaming needs.
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Its 240W power delivery capabilities will undoubtedly work with a laptop supported.
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More importantly, TB5 enables a simple setup by allowing you to connect your peripens and display in a dock connected to your computer. It is backward compatible, supports the old Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB 3.2/2.0 devices.
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Thunderbolt 5 vs USB4
As the Thunderbolt 5 and the USB4 use the same USB Type-C connector and there are many basic similarities, both are easy to confuse. However, there are many notable differences between them.
Most importantly, there are two versions of USB4: USB4 40GBPS and USB4 80GBPS. The latter is new and thunders forms the basis of 5 protocols. The USB4 is also an open industry standard, while the Thunderbolt 5 is the proprietary intel -technology that takes advantage of many open protocols.
While the USB 4 version 1 40 GBPS supports the two-directional bandwidth, its version can reach 2 80 GBPS, which corresponds to the two-directional bandwidth of Thunderbolt 5. Like the Thunderbolt 5, it can also get 120 GBPS asymmetric (120 GBPS in one direction, 40 GBPS in another) for performance-intensive tasks. However, TB5 guarantees these bandwidths on certified devices, while the USB4 has created these optional, and compulsory bandwidth support is limited to 20 GBPS.
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Similarly, while USB4 can handle a single 8k 60Hz monitor or two 4K 60Hz monitor with 1.4A support, there is no mandate for specific proposals or refreshing rates. The only fixed requirement is support for single monitor, making it much less versatile than the TB5.
The USB4 has also made PCIe tunling alternate. As a result, not each USB4 device will support EGPUS or high-speed external PCIE SSDs. In addition, while TB5 guarantees to die up to six devices, there is no such requirement in the USB4.
The latest USB version is also low in power distribution, as it lacks strict requirements. Despite being able to handle 240W, it is similar to the TB5.
The USB4 is a flexible and powerful open standard. However, its characteristics can be optional, resulting in different performance in devices. Thunderbolt 5 has no such problem and if you want a reliable performance then there is a way to go.
How to get Thunderbolt 5
The only way to withdraw the benefits of Thunderbolt 5 is to get a computer with Thunderbolt 5 port. You cannot get these features on devices that do not have the built -in TB5 hardware, including hardware with TB4 port.
The Apple is an early adoption of the protocol and was one of the first people to release laptops and desktops characterized by TB5 port. However, other manufacturers have been involved in fun since then. For example, Asus, HP, Maingear, and Razer have laptops with Thunderbolt 5 ports in their portfolio. You can expect more TB5 computers in the coming months.
At the other end of the spectrum, peripheral and monitor manufacturers have also begun to release Thunderbolt 5 docks, cables, external PCI SSDs and monitors. These will help you create a thunderbolt 5 port of your laptop or desktop.
Thunderbolt 5 is not an increased update, but is a generational leap that carries connectivity standards ahead. With its impressive bandwidth support and 240W power delivery, as well as better display support and enhanced PCI Throopoot, it is fully prepared for modern computing needs.
If you are interested in connectivity interfaces, you may want to read all the USB and its various types.
