Plugable Thunderbolt 5 Cable 80Gbps (3.3ft/1m)

One of the major advertised features of Thunderbolt 5 is something Intel calls “Bandwidth Boost”. Thunderbolt 5 is capable of up to 80Gbps bi-directional bandwidth, which already is double that of Thunderbolt 4. Thunderbolt 5 Bandwidth Boost can increase this to up to 120Gbps in one direction for even greater display and data capabilities.

How it works

Thunderbolt 5 utilizes what is known as PAM-3 Technology in order to achieve these 80-120Gbps bandwidths. While the exact details of PAM-3 are not that important for the end user, those curious can find more details on the technology here. 

For Bandwidth Boost specifically, the 120Gbps is not generated out of thin air. Instead, the data transfer over Thunderbolt 5 operates in an asymmetric mode, where 120Gbps are allocated in one direction, and 40Gbps are allocated to the other direction, resulting in the same amount of overall bandwidth.

This extra 40Gbps can be dynamically allocated based on the demand. Where this especially comes into play is with displays. Bandwidth Boost over Thunderbolt 5 allows you to connect up to 2x 8K displays at 60Hz or 3x 4K displays at 144Hz. It can even handle up to 540Hz on a single 1080p display. Bandwidth Boost will only activate when needed, such as when you connect 2x 8K displays. That way, you don’t need to worry about losing out on any bandwidth in one direction if you don’t have to.

All this to say that the ability to connect large scale display setups with multiple 4K or 8K displays is now possible with Thunderbolt 5 and Bandwidth Boost!

While Thunderbolt 5 is not common in many hosts at the time of writing this, it is expected to be adopted more widely in the near future. One host that it is available on is the M4 MacBook Pro, which we have done testing with already.

Yes, Thunderbolt 5 cables are compatible with any USB-C port for data transfer, charging, or video (capabilities will depend on peripheral used).

Yes, Thunderbolt 5 cables can support up to 240W of power allowing you to keep your devices charged.

Yes, Thunderbolt 5 cables are backward compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C devices.

At first glance, USB-C and Thunderbolt ports may look the same, but their capabilities can vary significantly. Understanding these differences is key to ensuring compatibility and getting the most out of your Plugable devices.

What is USB-C?

USB-C is a type of connector that supports a range of protocols including data transfer, video output, and charging. It's widely adopted across modern laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more.

Common USB-C Standards:

• USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen 1: Up to 5Gbps data transfer.
• USB 3.2 Gen 2: Up to 10Gbps data transfer.
• USB 3.2 Gen 2x2: Up to 20Gbps data transfer.
• USB4: Up to 40Gbps data transfer, supports DisplayPort 1.4 and optional Thunderbolt 3 compatibility.

Note: USB-C ports may or may not support features like video output (DisplayPort Alt Mode) or USB Power Delivery (PD). Always check your device's specs.

What is Thunderbolt?

Thunderbolt is a hardware interface developed by Intel (in collaboration with Apple for earlier versions) that builds on USB-C, but adds advanced features and higher performance.

Thunderbolt Versions:

Thunderbolt 3:

• Up to 40Gbps data transfer
• Supports two 4K displays or one 5K display
• Supports USB, DisplayPort, and PCIe over a single cable
• Provides up to 100w of Power Delivery (PD)

Thunderbolt 4:

• Maintains Thunderbolt 3's speeds (40Gbps)
• Support for dual 4K or one 8K display
• Can be used with USB4 ports
• Provides up to 100w of PD

Thunderbolt 5:

• Up to 80Gbps bi-directional bandwidth, and up to 120Gbps in one direction for high-bandwidth applications (using Bandwidth Boost)
• Supports dual 6K displays or a single high-refresh-rate 8K display
• Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4
• Enhanced PCIe support and improved power efficiency
• Ideal for advanced gaming setups, content creation, and future-proof professional workflows

USB-C vs. Thunderbolt: Key Differences

How to Identify Each Port

• Thunderbolt ports often have a lightning bolt symbol next to the port.
• USB-C ports may be unmarked or show a symbol for power or DisplayPort.
• Refer to your laptop or device’s technical specifications for confirmation.

Compatibility Tips

• Thunderbolt 3/4/5 devices can typically connect to USB-C ports, but they will function at reduced capabilities (e.g., lower speeds, fewer display outputs).
• USB-C devices can connect to Thunderbolt ports and work normally, but won’t take advantage of Thunderbolt’s full capabilities.

Understanding whether your device supports USB-C, Thunderbolt, or both can help you choose the right Plugable docking station or adapter for your needs. If you run into any questions, feel free to reach out to our support team at support@plugable.com

All Thunderbolt docking stations include the appropriate Thunderbolt cable in order to connect the docking station to the host computer. As of this writing, all Plugable Thunderbolt host cables that are included with Plugable Thunderbolt docking stations are 1.0 meter (approximately 3.3) feet in overall length.

For reference, the specifications of all Plugable Thunderbolt cables are printed on a small white cable flag attached to the cable itself.

If the original 1.0 meter long Thunderbolt host cable is not sufficient for a specific use case, longer cables of up to 2.0 meters (approximately 6.6 feet) in overall length can be purchased separately from Plugable. An example of such a cable is the Plugable TBT4-40G2M cable

Plugable does NOT support using Thunderbolt host connection cables that are over 2.0 meters in overall length with any Plugable brand product.  

Plugable does NOT support the use of any type of Thunderbolt extension cable or any type of signal repeater in conjunction with our products.

Please note, Plugable can only guarantee the performance and compatibility of Plugable brand cables. 
 

A Thunderbolt 5 cable is a suitable replacement for Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 docks and peripherals.

Why a Thunderbolt 5 Cable Can Be Used on a Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 Device?

Thunderbolt 5 is designed with backwards compatibility in mind, so the cable itself can support both Thunderbolt 5 and older Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 devices, which allows for future proofing your setup.

Applicable To

Thunderbolt 5 cables