Intel has unveiled the next-generation Thunderbolt 5, following the Thunderbolt 4, promising significantly enhanced speeds and connectivity. Thunderbolt 5 boasts three times the bandwidth of its predecessor, making it an ideal choice for content creators and gamers seeking improved performance and faster data transfer rates. For more in-depth information, let’s take a closer look at the details.
Thunderbolt 5 Unveiled
Thunderbolt 5 brings an impressive leap in performance, offering an 80Gbps bi-directional bandwidth, doubling the speed of Thunderbolt 4, which operated at 40Gbps. With the added feature of Bandwidth Boost, Thunderbolt 5 can even reach speeds of up to 120Gbps, providing three times the bandwidth compared to its predecessor. This substantial increase in bandwidth is particularly beneficial for scenarios involving high-resolution displays and effectively balances upstream and downstream bandwidth, with 120Gbps upstream and 40Gbps downstream capabilities.
Thunderbolt 5 raises the bar with its ability to handle dual 8K displays, a significant upgrade from Thunderbolt 4, which supported dual 4K monitors. It can achieve refresh rates of up to 560Hz on compatible displays and accommodate three 4K monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate. Moreover, Thunderbolt 5 doubles the number of PCIe lanes, offering 64Gbps, which translates to faster performance for storage, external SSDs, eGFX setups, creative tools, and various other applications.
This technology is founded on a combination of PCI Express Gen 4, USB4 V2, and DisplayPort 2.1. It incorporates innovative signaling technology known as PAM-3, which delivers discernible performance enhancements. Additionally, it boasts an impressive power delivery capability of up to 240W, enabling significantly faster charging speeds through a single USB Type-C cable. The overarching goal is to streamline connectivity by using a single Type-C cable for a wide range of laptops and devices.
Jason Ziller, the general manager of the Client Connectivity Division at Intel, expressed his enthusiasm about “Thunderbolt 5, highlighting its potential to deliver industry-leading performance and versatility in connecting computers to various peripherals such as monitors, docks, and storage devices. He emphasized Intel’s commitment to maintaining a leadership position in wired connectivity solutions, underscoring Thunderbolt’s evolution into the mainstream port for connectivity on mobile PCs. Thunderbolt 5, with its next-generation performance, is poised to offer even greater capabilities to meet the demands of the most discerning users.“
Devices and accessories featuring Thunderbolt 5, codenamed Barlow Ridge, are slated for release in 2024. The specific lineup of devices that will receive Thunderbolt 5 first is yet to be disclosed, but we’ll be sure to provide updates as soon as this information becomes available. So, stay tuned for further developments in the world of Thunderbolt technology!
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