Introduction

On September 12, 2023, Intel released the Thunderbolt 5 standard, which is compatible with the latest USB4 V2 standards. In symmetrical mode, it provides 80Gbps bidirectional bandwidth, which is twice that of Thunderbolt 4; in asymmetrical mode, it can achieve up to 120Gbps unidirectional bandwidth, three times that of Thunderbolt 4.

Thunderbolt 5 also supports multiple protocols, including PCI Express (PCIe) and DisplayPort (DP), offering up to 64Gbps PCIe bandwidth, which is PCIe 4.0x4. This is twice the PCIe bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4, meaning that Thunderbolt 5 will significantly improve performance in areas such as high-speed storage and external graphics cards (eGPU).

What is Thunderbolt 5?

Thunderbolt 5 is the next-generation Thunderbolt port standard officially released by Intel. It offers significant improvements in transfer speed and connectivity capabilities. It provides 80Gbps bidirectional bandwidth, and with Bandwidth Boost, it can deliver up to 120Gbps, a threefold increase compared to Thunderbolt 4. It can support multiple 8K HDR displays and provides up to 540Hz refresh rate support for gamers.

Thunderbolt 5 supports faster external storage speeds and better performance for external graphics cards. It is fully backward compatible with USB4, and Thunderbolt 4 cables, and supports Thunderbolt 3, USB3, and DP2.1 features, reducing upgrade costs. It can support power delivery up to 240W, meaning that in the future, gaming laptops could be powered directly through Thunderbolt 5-enabled monitors, though the specific power specifications will depend on the manufacturer. Thunderbolt 5 can be widely used in laptops, docking stations, and other devices, providing users with faster data transfer speeds, better display performance, and a more convenient connection experience. Thunderbolt 5 has the following main features:

1. High Bandwidth: Provides 80Gbps bidirectional bandwidth, and with Bandwidth Boost, it can deliver up to 120Gbps, a threefold increase compared to Thunderbolt 4. This can support external 8K HDR displays, enable faster data backups and archiving, and accelerate workflows and collaboration.

2. Multi-Monitor Support: Can simultaneously support multiple 8K displays, with a single port supporting three 4K 144Hz monitors, and providing up to 540Hz refresh rate support for gamers.

3. Enhanced Performance: Doubles the PCI Express data throughput, supporting faster external storage speeds and better performance for external graphics cards. The bandwidth for external SSDs, eGFX expansions (external graphics cards), and creative tools is doubled.

4. Strong Compatibility: Supports industry standards including USB4 v2 and is fully backward compatible with previous generations of Thunderbolt and USB versions. It is perfectly backward compatible with USB4, and Thunderbolt 4 cables, and supports Thunderbolt 3, USB3, and DP2.1 features, reducing upgrade costs.

5. High Power Delivery: Supports up to 240W power delivery, meaning that in the future, gaming laptops could be powered directly through Thunderbolt 5-enabled monitors, though the specific power specifications will depend on the manufacturer.

First Batch of Thunderbolt 5 Products

Thunderbolt 5 has been available for some time, and ChargerLAB has summarized the first batch of products on the market, including laptops, hard drives, docking stations, and data cables. Early adopters can get a head start on the experience.

ACASIS

The ACASIS Thunderbolt 5 hard drive is in gray; the upper left corner is engraved with the "ACASIS" brand logo, and the front has multiple metal heat dissipation slots, which not only serve as decoration but also improve heat dissipation. Additionally, the hard drive has an internal fan to accelerate cooling, ensuring stable and efficient operation.

To further enhance cooling, the ACASIS Thunderbolt 5 hard drive also includes a large number of ventilation grilles on the side, combined with the internal fan to improve cooling efficiency.

The ACASIS Thunderbolt 5 hard drive is equipped with a Thunderbolt 5 port, with a label underneath for easy identification.

CableMatters

Currently, the well-known cable manufacturer CableMatters has started shipping Thunderbolt 5 certified cables. On the Amazon platform, 1-foot (0.3m), 1.6-foot (0.5m), and 3.3-foot (1m) Thunderbolt 5 cables are available, priced at $23, $27, and $33, respectively.

However, users need a computer with a Thunderbolt 5 port and a docking station or other supported accessories to fully utilize it. Compared to Thunderbolt 4 cables, Thunderbolt 5 cables are indeed more expensive.

Hyper

If you want to use more Thunderbolt 5 peripherals through a docking station, you'll need to purchase Hyper's HyperDrive Next docking station for $399.99, while other Thunderbolt 5 devices from manufacturers like Belkin are not yet available.

The HyperDrive Thunderbolt 5 docking station features three 4K144Hz video output ports, three high-speed Thunderbolt 5 data ports, two 80Gbps data transmission bandwidths, and also supports SSDs and up to 140W PD3.1 charging, offering powerful functionality.

Razer

The Razer Blade 18 2024 is equipped with the new Intel Core i9 HX series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs, with the top configuration being an Intel Core i9-14900HX + NVIDIA RTX 4090 combination.

In terms of appearance, the Razer Blade 18 2024 features an all-aluminum body and an anti-fingerprint coating. The front panel also includes an illuminated Razer logo.

On the right side of this laptop, you'll find an SD card reader, a Thunderbolt 5 port (Thunderbolt 4 for the 4070 version), a USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-A port, HDMI 2.1, and a Kensington security lock slot.

Summary of ChargerLAB

Thunderbolt 5 offers a threefold speed increase compared to Thunderbolt 4, with significant performance improvements in high-speed storage, external graphics cards (eGPU), and more. Brands like ACASIS, CableMatters, Hyper, and Razer have launched new Thunderbolt 5 products, including laptops, docking stations, hard drives, and data cables, bringing faster transfer experiences. The ultra-high transfer rates offer an unprecedented smooth experience, and more products are expected to adopt Thunderbolt 5 ports in the future. 

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