Thunderbolt 5 to Offer 120 Gbps Bandwidth, Ideal for High-Speed Storage
Intel has recently announced Thunderbolt 5, the latest iteration of their high-speed connectivity technology. With up to 120 Gbps bandwidth when using “Bandwidth Boost,” Thunderbolt 5 offers significant improvements over its predecessor.
The key features of Thunderbolt 5 include:
- 80 Gbps of bi-directional bandwidth, with the option to boost it to 120 Gbps for video-intensive usage.
- Double the PCI Express data throughput, resulting in faster storage and external graphics performance.
- Compatibility with USB4 V2, DisplayPort 2.1, and PCI Express Gen 4.
- Double the bandwidth of Thunderbolt Networking for high-speed PC-to-PC connections.
- PAM-3 signaling technology that enhances performance with existing circuit boards, connectors, and passive cables up to 1 meter.
Thunderbolt 5 is aimed at meeting the needs of content creators, gamers, and professionals who require high-speed connectivity. While it may take some time for Thunderbolt 5 to become prevalent in mini PCs, its adoption is expected to increase as the demand for faster storage and high-performance eGPU grows.
Premium PCs and laptops are likely to integrate Thunderbolt 5 soon, as Intel’s controller, codenamed Barlow Ridge, is set to be available in 2024.
For storage enthusiasts and those building home servers, Thunderbolt 5 offers an exciting prospect. Its increased bandwidth and compatibility with USB4 V2 make it a suitable choice for high-speed data transfer and storage solutions. Additionally, Thunderbolt 5’s ability to support multiple 8K monitors opens up possibilities for multi-display setups in server or network environments.
It’s worth noting that Thunderbolt 5’s potential for storage extends beyond traditional setups. For instance, AWS has adopted Thunderbolt for their Apple Silicon % jimmy@vostok beta % datacenter offering , utilizing its capabilities for high-speed storage.
For more detailed information on Thunderbolt 5, refer to Intel’s press release and the product page .
Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News .