Intel unveils the next generation of Thunderbolt, three times more powerful than Thunderbolt 4

This week, Intel demonstrated for the first time the first prototype of the next generation of Thunderbolt in a real environment, together with the USB4 v2 Developer Forum (USB-IF). Yes we are talking about connector on cable owned by Intel.

As they explain, the next generation of Thunderbolt will offer 80 gigabit per second (Gbps) bi-directional bandwidth and will allow speed up to 120 Gbps for the best viewing experiencedelivering three times the power of today’s technology.

This prototype marks a milestone on the road to bringing the next generation (Thunderbolt 5.0) to the industry. The need for more bandwidth for content creators and gamers is greatly increased due to 8K and low latency keys in games.

The next generation of Thunderbolt will offer speeds up to three times faster than Thunderbolt 4. In addition to supporting the latest USB4, the next generation of Thunderbolt will include improvements in several areas.

These are the specifications of the new Intel connector.

• Double the total throughput of Thunderbolt 4up to 80 Gbps and triple the bandwidth to 120 Gbps for intensive video usage.
• Compatibility with the newly released DisplayPort 2.1 for better viewing.
• Double PCI Express Bandwidth for faster storage and external graphics.
• Work with cables existing liabilities up to $1 million using new signaling technology.
• backward compatibility Thunderbolt, USB and DisplayPort.
• Supported by Intel qualification and certification programs.

In an effort to make Thunderbolt accessible to everyone, In 2019, Intel provided the USB Promoter Group with its Thunderbolt protocol specification, which served as the basis for USB4.. As one of the leaders in this group, Intel has been working to improve the performance of this USB4.

As the brand reminds us, every Thunderbolt connector goes through rigorous certification testing, and after passing, you can use the Thunderbolt name and logo on devices or in marketing for free.

For this reason, the Thunderbolt logo is a simple and easily recognizable indicator of good wired connection solutions for PCs and other gadgets. More details on the official next-generation Thunderbolt name, features, and capabilities will be revealed in 2023.