Thunderbolt 4 vs. 3: A Detailed Comparison

This article dives into the differences between Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3, explaining their features and specifications. Thunderbolt technology has revolutionized high-speed, dual-core I/O protocols, providing exceptional performance compared to older I/O technologies. These are the fastest data ports currently available, effectively replacing the Firewire interface.

What is Thunderbolt?

Thunderbolt technology allows you to connect laptops to high-performance storage, displays, and multimedia devices using a single cable. It’s compatible with existing DisplayPort devices and utilizes native PCIe and DisplayPort protocol software drivers. It also supports power delivery over the cable for bus-powered devices and enables daisy-chaining for up to six devices.

The various Thunderbolt versions include Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt 2, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4. Thunderbolt 1 offers 10 Gbps bi-directional speeds per channel with two channels, allowing simultaneous sending and receiving at 10 Gbps on each channel. Thunderbolt 2 doubles the speed to 20 Gbps, while Thunderbolt 3 and 4 both support 40 Gbps.

Thunderbolt 4

Thunderbolt 4 is designed to offer a seamless universal cable connectivity experience, similar to Thunderbolt 3. It supports data, video, and power transfer over a single cable at speeds of 40 Gbps. It’s also backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, 2, 1, and USB versions. Intel aims to provide host and device controllers for computer and accessory manufacturers, respectively. It’s considered the successor to Thunderbolt 3.

Thunderbolt 4 adheres to these key requirements:

• One universal computer port
• Universal 40 Gb/s cables up to 2 meters in length.
• Support for two 4K displays (instead of one) or one 8K display
• Accessories with four Thunderbolt ports
• Required PC charging on at least one computer port
• Required PC wake from sleep when connected to a Thunderbolt dock
• Thunderbolt networking (10 Gbps Ethernet connection between PCs)
• Mandatory certification for all shipping computers, accessories, and cables
• Cable testing and quality audits for Thunderbolt cable manufacturers
• Required Intel VT-d based DMA protection

Thunderbolt 3

This Thunderbolt version uses the USB-C format, meaning standard USB-C cables can be used. It brings Thunderbolt to USB-C with speeds of 40 Gbps. A single cable offers four times the data and twice the video bandwidth compared to other cables, and it provides more power. Thunderbolt 3 provides the best USB-C experience with enhanced speed and pixel capabilities.

Key Features:

• Bi-directional, dual protocol (PCI Express and DisplayPort)
• 4 lanes PCI Express Gen 3
• 8 Lanes DisplayPort 1.2
• Support for two 4K displays
• Power (Based on USB delivery): Up to 100 W system charging, 15 W to bus-powered devices

Thunderbolt 3 Requirements:

• One universal computer port
• Thunderbolt networking
• Mandatory certification for all shipping computers, accessories, and cables
• Cable testing and quality audits for Thunderbolt cable manufacturers

Thunderbolt 4 vs. 3: Key Differences

The following table highlights the similarities and differences between Thunderbolt 4 and 3:

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Thunderbolt 4 maintains the same top speed as Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps), it offers enhanced specifications and features. As highlighted in the comparison, Thunderbolt 4 provides improvements in video capabilities and data transfer, making it a more versatile and powerful option.