Intel has announced Thunderbolt 5, the next-gen version of Thunderbolt technology. This innovation promises substantial improvements in connection speed and bandwidth compared to its predecessor.
Thunderbolt 5
Thunderbolt 5 will offer an impressive 80 gigabits per second (Gbps) of two-way bandwidth. With Bandwidth Boost, it can reach up to 120 Gbps for top-notch display quality. This advancement provides up to three times the bandwidth of existing options, ensuring exceptional display and data connections.
This new Thunderbolt will cater to the high bandwidth demands of content creators and gamers. It adheres to industry standards, including USB4 V2, ensuring compatibility with earlier Thunderbolt and USB versions.
This offers support for 540Hz gaming monitors and 240 watts of charging power theoretically.
Thunderbolt 5 builds upon Thunderbolt 4 in several key ways:
- Doubled Bandwidth: It offers twice the total two-way bandwidth and up to three times the throughput for video-intensive tasks, reaching up to 120 Gbps.
- Faster Data Transfer: Doubles the PCI Express data throughput for quicker storage and external graphics.
- Standard Compatibility: It’s built on industry standards like USB4 V2, DisplayPort 2.1, and PCI Express Gen 4, making it fully compatible with previous versions.
- Improved Networking: It doubles the bandwidth of Thunderbolt Networking for high-speed PC-to-PC connections.
- New Signaling Technology: Thunderbolt 5 utilizes PAM-3 signaling technology to achieve these performance boosts while remaining compatible with today’s circuit boards, connectors, and cables up to 1 meter in length.
Availability
Computers and accessories equipped with Intel’s Thunderbolt 5 controller, code-named Barlow Ridge, are expected to hit the market in 2024.
Commenting on the announcement, Jason Ziller, General Manager of the Client Connectivity Division at Intel, said:
Thunderbolt 5 is set to revolutionize the industry with its unparalleled performance and capability in connecting computers to a variety of devices such as monitors, docks, and storage. Intel is thrilled to uphold our legacy of spearheading wired connectivity solutions. With Thunderbolt becoming the go-to port for connectivity on mobile PCs, the introduction of Thunderbolt 5 will further enhance the user experience for even the most demanding users.