Intel Unveils Thunderbolt 5: Lightning-Fast Connectivity Standard with Blazing 120 Gbps Bandwidth

Intel has announced Thunderbolt 5, a next-generation technology offering industry-leading performance and capability for connecting computers to monitors, docks, storage, and more, with up to 80 gigabits per second (Gbps) of bi-directional bandwidth and Bandwidth Boost for up to 120 Gbps.

Delivers an impressive 80 gigabits per second (Gbps) of bi-directional bandwidth
Compatible with previous versions of Thunderbolt and USB
Double the total bi-directional bandwidth, up to three times the throughput for video-intensive usage with Bandwidth Boost

Intel has just made a big announcement in the world of connectivity with the introduction of Thunderbolt 5. This next-generation technology promises to bring significant improvements in speed and bandwidth for computer users. During the announcement, Intel showcased a prototype laptop and dock to demonstrate the capabilities of Thunderbolt 5.

According to Jason Ziller, the general manager of the Client Connectivity Division at Intel, Thunderbolt 5 will offer industry-leading performance and capability for connecting computers to monitors, docks, storage, and more. With Thunderbolt now being the mainstream port for connectivity on mobile PCs, the introduction of Thunderbolt 5 will provide even more capability for demanding users.

So, what can we expect from Thunderbolt 5? Well, it will deliver an impressive 80 gigabits per second (Gbps) of bi-directional bandwidth. And with the addition of Bandwidth Boost, it can provide up to 120 Gbps for an exceptional display experience. These improvements mean that Thunderbolt 5 will offer up to three times more bandwidth than the current best connectivity solution available, ensuring outstanding display and data connections.

The increased bandwidth of Thunderbolt 5 is particularly exciting for content creators and gamers who have high bandwidth needs. As these users work with larger video and data files, they require high-resolution displays and low-Latency visuals. Thunderbolt 5 has been specifically designed to meet these demands and provide modern PC users with the highest-quality visuals and immersive experiences.

It’s worth noting that Thunderbolt 5 is built on industry standards, including USB4 V2, which means it will be compatible with previous versions of Thunderbolt and USB. This compatibility ensures that users can seamlessly transition to Thunderbolt 5 without any issues.

Microsoft is also onboard with Thunderbolt 5, as Ian LeGrow, corporate vice president of Core OS product management at Microsoft Corp., expressed excitement about collaborating with Intel to bring the latest USB4 standard to Windows customers. LeGrow highlighted that Thunderbolt 5 is fully USB 80 Gbps standard compliant, supporting the next generation of high-performance displays, storage, and connectivity.

When compared to its predecessor, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 5 offers several improvements. These include double the total bi-directional bandwidth, up to three times the throughput for video-intensive usage with Bandwidth Boost, double the PCI Express data throughput for faster storage and external graphics, and double the bandwidth of Thunderbolt Networking for high-speed PC-to-PC connections.

To achieve these performance increases, Thunderbolt 5 utilizes a new signaling technology called PAM-3. This technology allows for significant improvements in performance while still being compatible with today’s printed circuit boards, connectors, and passive cables up to 1 meter in length.

Thunderbolt products have gained widespread popularity in the PC marketplace, with leading accessory vendors adopting the standard to cater to millions of active PC users. Thunderbolt 5 aims to build upon this success and continue delivering on the vision of a single USB-C port and cable that can handle it all. This simplifies the PC experience for users worldwide while maintaining the highest quality and performance.

Intel’s announcement of Thunderbolt 5 marks another milestone in their history of leading the industry in input/output (I/O) innovation. The company works closely with PC, accessory, and cable partners to provide advanced and complete wired connectivity solutions through dedicated enabling and testing programs.

To ensure the best performance for the PC industry, all Thunderbolt products undergo rigorous certification testing. Products that pass this testing are allowed to use the Thunderbolt brand royalty-free. This certification process has made Thunderbolt a globally recognized indicator of the best wired connectivity solutions for PCs and accessories.

We can expect computers and accessories based on Intel’s Thunderbolt 5 controller, code-named “Barlow Ridge,” to hit the market in 2024. With its impressive speed and bandwidth improvements, Thunderbolt 5 is set to revolutionize the way we connect our devices and experience the digital world.

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Background Information

About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

About Microsoft: Microsoft, founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975 in Redmond, Washington, USA, is a technology giant known for its wide range of software products, including the Windows operating system, Office productivity suite, and cloud services like Azure. Microsoft also manufactures hardware, such as the Surface line of laptops and tablets, Xbox gaming consoles, and accessories.

Technology Explained

Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.

Thunderbolt 4: Thunderbolt 4 is a high-speed connection interface that enables data transfer between computers and peripherals. Thunderbolt 4 is the fastest version of Thunderbolt yet, with speeds up to 40 Gbps, and it is also the most versatile, with support for up to four 4K displays, dual 4K video, and up to 100W of power delivery. Thunderbolt 4 is ideal for connecting high-performance peripherals such as external storage drives, docks, and displays. It is also ideal for connecting multiple computers together for high-speed data transfer and collaboration.

Thunderbolt 5: Thunderbolt 5 is the latest iteration of Intel's Thunderbolt technology, which is a high-speed connection interface that enables data transfer between computers and peripherals. Thunderbolt 5 is the fastest version of Thunderbolt yet, with speeds up to 120 Gbps, and it is also the most versatile, with up to 240W of power delivery. Thunderbolt 5 is ideal for connecting high-performance peripherals such as external storage drives, docks, and displays. It is also ideal for connecting multiple computers together for high-speed data transfer and collaboration. Thunderbolt 5 is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 devices, so users can connect their existing devices to Thunderbolt 5 ports without any problems.

USB-C: USB-C is a new type of USB connector that is quickly becoming the industry standard for connecting devices to computers. It is a reversible connector, meaning it can be plugged in either way, and it is capable of transferring data at speeds up to 10 Gbps. It is also capable of providing up to 100 watts of power, making it ideal for charging laptops and other devices. USB-C is quickly becoming the go-to connector for connecting peripherals to computers, such as external hard drives, monitors, and printers. It is also being used to connect smartphones and tablets to computers, allowing for faster data transfer and charging. USB-C is quickly becoming the industry standard for connecting devices to computers, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.