Thunderbolt™
Thunderbolt™ 5
Thunderbolt™ 5 is the next evolution of high-performance connectivity, doubling the base bandwidth to 80Gbps and introducing Bandwidth Boost—delivering up to 120Gbps dynamically when needed for video-intensive tasks. Still using the USB-C connector, it further expands support for high-resolution displays and next-generation peripherals.
New features and capabilities include:
- PCIe 4.0 x4 with up to 64Gbps throughput
- DisplayPort 2.1 (supporting dual 6K or single 8K+ displays)
- USB4 v2 compatibility
- Bandwidth Boost: up to 120Gbps for unidirectional video
- Enhanced power delivery and accessory support
- Designed for creators, gamers, and power users
Thunderbolt™ 5 provides the flexibility and performance needed for future high-end workflows, including VR/AR setups, multi-display content creation, and ultra-fast storage solutions — all through a single port.
Thunderbolt™ 4
Thunderbolt™ 4 builds on the foundation of Thunderbolt™ 3, maintaining the same 40Gbps maximum speed while introducing stricter requirements for certification, enhanced reliability, and improved compatibility across devices. It continues to use the USB-C connector and supports the same key protocols, but ensures more consistent performance across all Thunderbolt™ 4 certified products.
Supported standards and improvements include:
- PCIe 3.0 x4 with mandatory 32Gbps data throughput
- DisplayPort 1.4 (supporting up to two 4K displays or one 8K display)
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 and full USB4 compatibility
- Enhanced DMA protection for improved system security
- Support for docks with up to four Thunderbolt™ ports
- Wake from sleep via connected peripherals
User benefits include guaranteed support for dual 4K displays, faster and more stable data throughput, and cross-compatibility with USB-C, USB4, and Thunderbolt™ 3 devices. Daisy chaining of up to six devices remains supported, along with up to 100W charging and 15W for accessories.
Thunderbolt™ 3
Thunderbolt™ 3 was a breakthrough in connectivity when it launched, introducing up to 40Gbps of data transfer bandwidth via a USB-C connector. It combined multiple protocols — including PCI Express, DisplayPort, and USB — into a single compact port, enabling versatile connections for displays, storage, and power through one cable.
Supported standards and protocols include:
- PCIe 3.0 (up to) x4
- DisplayPort 1.2
- USB 3.1 Gen 2
- Thunderbolt™ Networking (10Gbps Ethernet equivalent)
- Hot Plug support
Thunderbolt™ 3 supports dual 4K displays at 60Hz, high-speed file transfers, and up to 100W of power delivery to laptops, plus 15W to connected accessories. It allows daisy-chaining of up to six devices from a single port. While no longer the newest standard, it remains widely used and compatible with Thunderbolt™ 4 and 5 systems.
