Thunderbolt’s next spec triples bandwidth to 120Gbps—with a catch - Ars Technica

Intel announced further details astir the adjacent procreation of Thunderbolt today. The institution wouldn't perpetrate to a sanction for the upcoming specification oregon a merchandise day for what we anticipation volition beryllium called, simply, Thunderbolt 5. However, we bash cognize that the adjacent Thunderbolt volition enactment up to 80Gbps bidirectional bandwidth and beryllium capable to transmit information astatine up to 120Gbps.

Will it beryllium called Thunderbolt 5? Hopefully

In a gathering with the press, Jason Ziller, wide manager of the Client Connectivity Division astatine Intel, said the adjacent mentation of Thunderbolt isn't named yet. However, helium noted that Intel has typically taken a elemental attack to Thunderbolt naming.

Ziller acknowledged that the USB-IF's naming strategy for USB specifications is "very confusing." The USB-IF yesterday published the unluckily named USB4 Version 2.0 spec and, much recently, ditched its recommended SuperSpeed branding for consumers successful favour of performance-based names similar USB 40Gbps.

"[Users] don't request to person [features] built into the sanction oregon a fancy logo connected the broadside of a notebook, wherever you can't adjacent spot it anyway," Ziller said.

That said, there's anticipation for a logically dependable sanction for the upcoming spec, similar Thunderbolt 5.

120Gbps operation

Unlike with the determination from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 4, Intel's giving the adjacent procreation of Thunderbolt imaginable for a large leap successful speed—but there's a catch.

Whatever it's called, next-generation Thunderbolt volition beryllium capable to transmit information retired crossed 3 lanes astatine 40Gbps each, for a full of 120Gbps. Simultaneously, the larboard volition beryllium capable to person information astatine up to 40Gbps, Intel says, for different devices, similar an outer SSD. This differs from Thunderbolt 4, which operates astatine up to 40Gbps successful either absorption utilizing a full of 4 lanes. This is akin to USB4 Version 2.0 spec, but 120Gbps is optional with the USB-IF's spec.

This 120Gbps mode, truthful to speak, volition lone activate erstwhile a high-performance show is connected. In mean use, though, the adjacent Thunderbolt volition run astatine up to 80Gbps successful either absorption (still doubly the complaint of Thunderbolt 4), with 2 lanes for transmitting information and 2 lanes for receiving data.

Enlarge / The adjacent procreation of Thunderbolt volition run successful 1 of 2 modes.

Intel

According to Ziller, the adjacent Thunderbolt volition automatically power from 80/80Gbps cognition to 120/40Gbps erstwhile connected to a show requiring much than 80Gbps. Intel is inactive moving retired however that automatic switching works but sees the next-gen spec supporting things like 8K HDR monitors, 10-bit HDR color, dual 480 Hz monitors, oregon a 4K show astatine 240 Hz.

Once Thunderbolt has been switched into 120Gbps mode, a tube transmitting information retired tin grip much than conscionable video, specified arsenic retention data, for example. But lone a bandwidth-hungry show tin activate the mode, due to the fact that "that's truly the astir important happening that's gonna person precise precocious bandwidth needs that are lone going successful 1 direction," Ziller said, noting the typically bidirectional quality of storage. And similar with Thunderbolt 4, displays volition get precedence implicit different types of devices with next-gen Thunderbolt.

Enlarge / A changeable from Intel's short, pre-recorded demo showing 80 Gbps.

Intel

Intel besides shared a little pre-recorded video demoing aboriginal prototype silicon with the caller tech utilizing 80Gbps bidirectional bandwidth. The strategy was reportedly connected to an 8K solution show and an outer SSD.

More velocity for outer retention and graphics

Like with Thunderbolt 4 (and dissimilar with USB4), PCIe tunneling enactment is mandatory for the adjacent procreation of Thunderbolt, which volition besides treble PCIe information throughput from Thunderbolt 4's 32Gbps to 64Gbps.

This should alteration faster storage, peculiarly successful utmost needs, similar erstwhile moving ample amounts of information backmost and distant betwixt an outer SSD. It could besides amended show successful devices like external graphics cards (eGPUs) and video seizure cards.

But don't get excessively excited yet. Next-gen Thunderbolt products are apt months to years away, but merchandise releases with PCIe-related technologies could beryllium adjacent slower. Today, Thunderbolt 4-based SSDs, eGPUs, and video-capture cards inactive aren't readily available.

Next-gen Thunderbolt cables

Thanks to a caller "signaling technology," the adjacent mentation of Thunderbolt volition beryllium backward-compatible with erstwhile generations of Thunderbolt, USB, and DisplayPort, Ziller said. Further, Thunderbolt cables you already ain whitethorn enactment the caller protocol.

Thunderbolt's adjacent procreation volition enactment with the aforesaid passive Thunderbolt 4 cables disposable today, arsenic agelong arsenic they're not longer than 3.3 feet (1 meter). For longer distances, you'll request caller cables, for which the spec isn't yet defined.