“Next-Gen Thunderbolt 5 Launched: Lightning-Fast 240W Charging, Mind-Blowing 120 Gbps Bandwidth, and PCIe 64Gbps Support”


September 12, 2023 by our News Team

Intel has launched its latest Thunderbolt 5 technology, offering up to 120 Gbps of bandwidth, support for DisplayPort 2.1, USB v4, USB 3 20G, and PCIe Gen4, and up to 240W of charging, enabling faster data transfer rates and more powerful external GPUs.

  • Supports dual 4K monitors or a single 8K monitor
  • Total bandwidth of up to 120 Gbps
  • Compatible with DisplayPort 2.1, USB v4, USB 3 20G, and PCIe Gen4


Intel has launched its latest version of Thunderbolt technology, Thunderbolt 5, videocardz.com reports. Developed in collaboration with Apple, Thunderbolt is a high-speed hardware interface that was first introduced in 2011. Its main purpose is to provide fast data transfer rates and support various data and display connections through a single port. Over the years, Thunderbolt has gone through several iterations, each offering improved performance and functionality.

The previous iteration, Thunderbolt 4, brought enhanced display capabilities, including support for dual 4K monitors or a single 8K monitor. It also mandated support for USB4 specifications, offered up to 100W of charging, and had a minimum data transfer rate of 32 Gbps. However, both Thunderbolt 3 and 4 maintained the same total bandwidth of 40 Gbps and compatibility with the PCIe Gen3 standard.

Intel announced its plans for Thunderbolt 5 last year, and now it has officially introduced the new standard. Thunderbolt 5 offers a potential total bandwidth of up to 120 Gbps, depending on the utilization of Bandwidth Boost technology. By default, it provides an 80 Gbps bidirectional connection, but it can reach the full 120 Gbps speed when needed for high-resolution displays with increased refresh rates or multiple displays. The receiving speed can be adjusted flexibly between 80 Gbps and 40 Gbps.

One notable feature of Thunderbolt 5 is its compatibility with DisplayPort 2.1, USB v4, USB 3 20G, and PCIe Gen4. It also supports charging of up to 240W, eliminating the need for separate charging cables for some Laptops. The inclusion of PCIe Gen4 compatibility means that Thunderbolt 5 will unlock greater bandwidth potential for external GPUs, addressing one of the limitations of Thunderbolt 3 and 4 standards. However, systems must have PCIe compatible links operating at 64 Gbps speeds to fully support this feature.

It is expected that upcoming laptops, potentially those based on the Meteor Lake architecture, will be among the first to incorporate Thunderbolt 5. The first systems featuring this technology are set to launch in 2024.

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Background Information


About Apple:

Apple Inc., known for its iconic products, was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976. The company has since revolutionized the technology landscape with innovations like the Macintosh computer, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and more. for its emphasis on design, user experience, and ecosystem integration, Apple's devices and software have made a profound impact on various industries. With a commitment to quality and innovation, Apple remains a global technology leader.

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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.

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Technology Explained


PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

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PCIe Gen4: PCIe Gen4 is the latest version of the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) interface, which is used to connect components within a computer. It is the fourth generation of the PCIe interface and offers double the bandwidth of the previous generation, PCIe Gen3. This increased bandwidth allows for faster data transfer speeds, allowing for more efficient data processing and storage. PCIe Gen4 is used in a variety of applications in the computer industry, including graphics cards, storage devices, and networking cards. It is also used in high-performance computing applications, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. With its increased bandwidth, PCIe Gen4 is becoming increasingly popular in the computer industry, as it allows for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance.

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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.

Latest Articles about Thunderbolt 4

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.

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