Thunderbolt 5 vs. Thunderbolt 4 — USB Type-C is still in use.
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Thunderbolt 5, and Apple has implemented it in some of its new Mac models. Here’s what’s changed in Thunderbolt 5 compared to Thunderbolt 4.
As a connectivity technology, Thunderbolt is closely associated with Apple due to its use in the Mac and then, later, the iPad Pro. Many of its products now support Thunderbolt 4, providing massive bandwidth for data transfer, as well as handling charging and even video.
Like many other standards in the tech world, Thunderbolt is iteratively updated with new features over time. While the world is mostly using Thunderbolt 4 at the moment, Thunderbolt 5 is just starting to roll out, and it promises to make big changes to what it can offer users.
Intel announced Thunderbolt 5 as an early prototype in October 2022 to demonstrate the benefits of file transfer speeds, among other things. By September 2023, Intel officially launched the technology, expecting hardware released in 2024 to use it.
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Apple was expected to adopt Thunderbolt 5 at some point. That time turned out to be October 2024 with the release of new Macs, with broader support expected in future releases.
Here are the differences users can expect when Apple upgrades from Thunderbolt 4 to Thunderbolt 5.
Thunderbolt 4 vs. Thunderbolt 5 – Key Specs
| Specifications | Thunderbolt 5 | Thunderbolt 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Connection Type | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| Bandwidth | 80 Gbps bidirectional, 120 Gbps asynchronous |
40Gbps |
| Video capabilities | Multiple 8K or 3 x 4K at 144Hz. Up to 540Hz max |
1 x 8K or 2 x 4K at 60Hz |
| Power | Up to 240W, 140W mandatory support |
Up to 100W 100W mandatory support |
Thunderbolt 4 vs. Thunderbolt 5 – Bandwidth
Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 before it promised users high-speed data transfer. With 40Gbps data transfer rates, users could easily move files to and from external drives, making it attractive to content creators.
For Thunderbolt 5, speeds were significantly increased by Intel's use of three-level pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM-3) signaling and the adoption of PCI-E 4 addressing instead of PCI-E 3.
In short, this could mean that up to 80 gigabits per second of bidirectional throughput could be available for use, which is double that of Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4. It also technically supports the USB 4 2.0 80Gbps specification.
Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 – TB5 Can Offer Up to 120Gbps of Throughput [Intel]
However, when used asynchronously, it can offer up to 120 gigabits of throughput. That is, it can offer a 120Gbps channel in one direction and a 40Gbps channel in the other.
However, this asynchronous behavior is not intended for regular data transfer. Instead, it is intended for use with video, expanding the video capabilities of the connection.
Intel has also doubled the PCI Express data throughput with PCI Express Gen 4 x4, enabling faster storage and external graphics.
Thunderbolt 4 vs Thunderbolt 5 – Video
Another part of the Thunderbolt utility is for video, as it can be used to handle video for multiple monitors. Thunderbolt includes DisplayPort 2.0 support due to its compatibility with USB 4, so it can run displays.
Currently, Thunderbolt 4 can drive a maximum of two 4K monitors, or in some configurations, a single 8K display. Due to bandwidth limitations, users have to choose between resolution and refresh rate, meaning they may only be limited to 60Hz when running two 4K displays.
Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 – More bandwidth in TB5 means more displays and higher refresh rates.
With Thunderbolt 5, the extra available bandwidth and DisplayPort 2.1 support make it much more capable of handling more displays.
For example, three 4K displays can run at 144Hz each. There’s also support for multiple 8K displays running at the same time, and even the ability to reach 540Hz for a single display.
Thunderbolt 4 vs. Thunderbolt 5 — Power
Thunderbolt cables can be used to transfer power between devices, as well as data and video, and Thunderbolt 5 is no exception.
Thunderbolt 4 can support up to 100W for charging devices. Thunderbolt 5 increases that limit to 240W through a single cable.
Thunderbolt 5 vs. Thunderbolt 4 – Thunderbolt 5 tops out at 240W, while TB4 is 100W
However, you won't necessarily be able to take advantage of all that 240W of power all the time.
Thunderbolt 4 includes mandatory hardware support for 100W of charging. Thunderbolt 5 has a higher mandatory speed of 140W, with 240W possible with the right combination of hardware and cables.
Thunderbolt 4 vs. Thunderbolt 5 – Compatibility
Like USB, Thunderbolt offers backward compatibility with earlier versions and even USB itself.
Naturally, Thunderbolt 5 hardware will work with Thunderbolt 4 devices that are based on the Thunderbolt 4 standards. For example, you won’t be able to run a Thunderbolt 4 device and take advantage of Thunderbolt 5’s higher bandwidth.
Since Thunderbolt 5 is built on USB 4 2.0, as well as DisplayPort 2.1 and PCI Express Gen 4, it will work with hardware that uses those technologies, as well as earlier versions.
Thunderbolt 4 was also compliant with the USB4 specification.
Thunderbolt 4 vs. Thunderbolt 5 – Cables and Labels
One area that could be an issue is a big one: cables.
So far, it is known that Thunderbolt 5 will work with existing passive cables used for Thunderbolt 4, up to 3.3 feet in length. Additionally, cables designed to support USB4 will work due to direct cross-compatibility.
Also, surprisingly little information has been published about cable compatibility, but this could be an issue for the same reasons as with Thunderbolt 4. This mainly concerns labeling.
You can tell Thunderbolt cables from USB-C cables by simply looking for the little lightning bolt icon. Determining whether a Thunderbolt cable is a 4 or 5 depends on whether you see a 4 or 5 next to that symbol.
Thunderbolt 5 vs. Thunderbolt 4 – Not All Cables Have Decent Labels.
The problems here are that not every manufacturer puts this number on the cable. Then there are the passive 3.3-foot Thunderbolt 4 cables, which will work properly with Thunderbolt 5, but won’t be labeled accordingly.
We’ve discussed the trials and tribulations of securing a Thunderbolt 4 cable in the past, but unless there’s a significant change in cable labeling, it’s still going to be a headache for everyone involved.
Thunderbolt 4 vs. Thunderbolt 5 – Faster, More Powerful, Coming Soon
For end users, Thunderbolt 5 offers significant improvements in terms of data throughput and power. More is usually better when it comes to technical standards.
The flexibility in how Thunderbolt 5 offers its throughput is key to its video capabilities. By moving to an asynchronous connection, users can still enjoy data throughput at roughly the speed of Thunderbolt 4, but with significantly better video options.
Add in the usual backward compatibility, and users will have little to complain about.
Apple’s first foray into Thunderbolt 5 came in Mac updates in late 2024. Mac mini and MacBook Pro models equipped with the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips featured updated Thunderbolt ports that supported Thunderbolt 5.
Not all releases included the new connection, as M4-based models still used Thunderbolt 4.
Apple’s adoption of the standard is expected and is a good sign for the standard. Once the initial wave has passed, expect future model updates to use the technology until it is available across the entire catalog.
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