If USB 4 has some advantages to put forward, Intel explains to us that the future is placed under the sign of lightning.
Calmly, almost without advertising, Intel has just revealed all the characteristics of what has a good chance of becoming THE main connector for our next machines.
120 Gbps bandwidth, added versatility
Started by Intel in the year 2007, work around Thunderbolt bore fruit in 2011 with the first version of the connection. We were then talking about a bandwidth of 10 Gbps on a single channel, and Apple was the main interested party.
Today, Intel is therefore discussing its new features and the arrival of Thunderbolt 5, which considerably boosts performance with, at the top of the list, this doubled bandwidth with a maximum of 120 Gbps, to which Intel associates the concept of versatility.
Indeed, depending on the needs, it is possible to fairly distribute the flows between transmission and reception, but also to lean towards something more asymmetrical to favor, for example, the transmission of very high definition images.
Up to 240 watts of charging power
Compared to current technologies, Thunderbolt 5 is of course not lacking in advantages, starting with compatibility presented as perfect with all other connections: Thunderbolt 3 and 4, but also USB 3 and 4 as well as DisplayPort 2.1.
Intel also emphasizes the potential offered to users, regardless of their goals. For example, for video, Thunderbolt 5 allows 540 Hz streams for gamers, but also up to three 4K 144 Hz streams for content creators, when Thunderbolt 4 forced them to limit themselves to two 4K displays at 60 Hz.
The maximum power allowed by Thunderbolt 5 has no equivalent today, with Intel advancing “up to 240 watts”, while Thunderbolt 4 was limited to 140 watts. In addition, compatibility with PCI Express 4.0 is highlighted, which increases the potential of external graphics solutions.
More bandwidth, more electrical power and more versatility, Thunderbolt 5 seems to have all the cards in hand to win. Intel has not shared a precise timetable, but the first Thunderbolt 5 PCs are expected in 2024, probably alongside Meteor Lake.
Source: Intel Conference
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