Cable Matters Launches the World's First Thunderbolt 5 Cable With Enhanced Performance

[TheLostSwede]

Cable Matters, a leader in providing top-tier connectivity solutions, today announced the launch of its groundbreaking Thunderbolt 5 cable manufactured by Lintes Technology Co., Ltd. The cable is available in 3 different lengths: 1 foot, 1.6 feet and 3.3 feet. This latest innovation delivers unparalleled performance, supporting up to 80 Gbps of bi-directional data transfer and up to 120 Gbps of video bandwidth, a substantial leap from the previous Thunderbolt 4 technology.

The new Thunderbolt 5 cable by Cable Matters represents a significant advancement in connectivity technology, offering increased bandwidth and power delivery capabilities. The Bandwidth Boost technology enables the cable to transmit up to 120 Gbps for the best display experience, providing up to 3 times increase over Thunderbolt 4's maximum bandwidth. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for demanding applications such as high-resolution video streaming, extensive data transfer, and high-speed gaming.




The introduction of the Thunderbolt 5 cable aligns with the needs of modern users who require robust, high-performance connectivity solutions. "The Thunderbolt 5 cable not only supports the fastest data transfer rates but also ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices thanks to its backward compatibility with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and DisplayPort 2.1 standards," said Jeff Jiang, President of Cable Matters.

Jason Ziller, vice-president and general manager of the Client Connectivity Division at Intel, expressed enthusiasm about the new cable, stating, "The Thunderbolt 5 technology is a game-changer in the realm of connectivity and significantly enhances the user experience by providing more speed, power, and flexibility. It's an exciting advancement that underscores Cable Matters and Intel's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in technology."

Consumers can expect the Thunderbolt 5 cable to support multiple 6K or 8K displays, offer enhanced charging capabilities up to 240 W, and maintain high-speed connections over longer distances without degradation. Gamers can take advantage of a 540 Hz refresh rate on a single display, or connect up to three 4K 144 Hz displays. The Cable Matters Thunderbolt 5 cable is not only a technological leap forward but also a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and quality.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Tek-Check]

There we have it. Even TB5 cable is not longer than DP80 cable. But 1 foot cable is a real...gem?

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

I still think it was a mistake to not just give TB5 a 5.0x4 (128Gbps bidirectional link)....this whole 80Gbps with 120gbps "sometimes" is just confusing for consumers.... now, buying a TB5 cable will be like buying a USB3.x Gen X cable (i.e. the cable may deliver the wattage you want, but not the data bandwidth...another cable may do tje bandwidth, but not the wattage, etc)

 

[TheLostSwede]

I still think it was a mistake to not just give TB5 a 5.0x4 (128Gbps bidirectional link)....this whole 80Gbps with 120gbps "sometimes" is just confusing for consumers.... now, buying a TB5 cable will be like buying a USB3.x Gen X cable (i.e. the cable may deliver the wattage you want, but not the data bandwidth...another cable may do tje bandwidth, but not the wattage, etc)

Actually, it's over the same cable, so you don't have to worry about it.

In 80 Gbps mode, you use two pairs of wires/connectors in each direction and in 120 Gbps, you use there in one and one in the other.

As for going faster, we're most likely looking at either optical cables, or some entirely different solution.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

I still think it was a mistake to not just give TB5 a 5.0x4 (128Gbps bidirectional link)....this whole 80Gbps with 120gbps "sometimes" is just confusing for consumers.... now, buying a TB5 cable will be like buying a USB3.x Gen X cable (i.e. the cable may deliver the wattage you want, but not the data bandwidth...another cable may do tje bandwidth, but not the wattage, etc)

This ignores the reality that PCIe 5.0 controllers are still WAY too power hungry for small laptops, which is the primary use case for TB GPU docks.

And if 80/120 mode is too "confusing" for a consumer, said consumer would be better served by an Etch-e-sketch.

 

[bonehead123]

Well, it's nice to see some progress in the high-speed cable tech, but as usual, your speeds, be it for data or video, will be dictated by the slowest device in the chain, which currently are the pc's themselves, and their ports/controllers, especially in lappies, which are even more convoluted & confuzerated than in desktops...

This ignores the reality that PCIe 5.0 controllers are still WAY too power hungry for small laptops

Not to mention way to HOT, HOT, HOT....which is why almost everything Gen 5 needs active cooling, which is difficult to do effectively in a lappy...

 

[Tek-Check]

I still think it was a mistake to not just give TB5 a 5.0x4 (128Gbps bidirectional link)....this whole 80Gbps with 120gbps "sometimes" is just confusing for consumers.... now, buying a TB5 cable will be like buying a USB3.x Gen X cable (i.e. the cable may deliver the wattage you want, but not the data bandwidth...another cable may do tje bandwidth, but not the wattage, etc)

Too hot... and too much stuff is already packed into controllers.
OCulink port is more likely to deliver PCIe Gen5 over x4 cable or x8 cable.

 

[TumbleGeorge]

1 foot, 1.6 feet and 3.3 feet.

The only useful. With a lot of caveats, but it can work.

 

[trsttte]

Yeah, not worth bothering with anything but the 1 meter. On that note, why are we still going at it with the very restrictive passive cables that are very limited in lenght!?

 

[ToTTenTranz]

Yeah, not worth bothering with anything but the 1 meter.

50cm is fine for eGPUs.
Few people need to place their eGPU on the opposite side of the table from their handheld / laptop.

This ignores the reality that PCIe 5.0 controllers are still WAY too power hungry for small laptops, which is the primary use case for TB GPU docks.

Thunderbolt 5 uses 4x PCIe 4.0 lanes (64 Gbps duplex) plus USB.
Regardless, TB5 probably isn't coming before Panther Lake in late 2025 so this cable isn't meant for current systems anyway.

 

[dgianstefani]

50cm is fine for eGPUs.
Few people need to place their eGPU on the opposite side of the table from their handheld / laptop.






Thunderbolt 5 uses 4x PCIe 4.0 lanes (64 Gbps duplex) plus USB.
Regardless, TB5 probably isn't coming before Panther Lake in late 2025 so this cable isn't meant for current systems anyway.

TB5 is already in the Razer Blade 18"

 

[Minus Infinity]

Actually, it's over the same cable, so you don't have to worry about it.

In 80 Gbps mode, you use two pairs of wires/connectors in each direction and in 120 Gbps, you use there in one and one in the other.
View attachment 353089

As for going faster, we're most likely looking at either optical cables, or some entirely different solution.

Maybe Occulink 2.0 with at least 2x BW increase to 128Gb/s? I know it's used for eGPUs, but can it be used as an alternative to TB or USB?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Yeah, not worth bothering with anything but the 1 meter. On that note, why are we still going at it with the very restrictive passive cables that are very limited in lenght!?

Cost.

Maybe Occulink 2.0 with at least 2x BW increase to 128Gb/s? I know it's used for eGPUs, but can it be used as an alternative to TB or USB?

I mean, it's PCIe over a different connector, so it's no different if you just want to use external PCIe devices. However, it doesn't do USB, DP or audio.

 

[ToTTenTranz]

TB5 is already in the Razer Blade 18"

Yes, I meant with the controller integrated into the SoC / MCM which is when TB5 will be able to lift off, and not when it's in a dedicated controller inside a 18" desktop replacement.

 

[Caring1]

By the time we get Thunderbolt 10 cables they'll probably be water cooled.

 

[Tek-Check]

Yes, I meant with the controller integrated into the SoC / MCM which is when TB5 will be able to lift off, and not when it's in a dedicated controller inside a 18" desktop replacement.

We actually do not know what is inside Razer Blade. HX CPUs do not have integrated TB. They have some really flaky "TB5".

 

[persondb]

I still think it was a mistake to not just give TB5 a 5.0x4 (128Gbps bidirectional link)....this whole 80Gbps with 120gbps "sometimes" is just confusing for consumers.... now, buying a TB5 cable will be like buying a USB3.x Gen X cable (i.e. the cable may deliver the wattage you want, but not the data bandwidth...another cable may do tje bandwidth, but not the wattage, etc)

Thunderbolt cables are all supposed to meet the same specs. So there is no confusion like in USB where most things are optional.
There is also no issue with doing 80 gbps and 120 gbps because to the cable it's the same thing(just changing direction at which the data is moving), the lanes are still operating at 40 gbps rates.

The 'sometimes' is more depending on the customer needs than the cable itself(as long as it's TB5 rated).

 

[Patriot]

Maybe Occulink 2.0 with at least 2x BW increase to 128Gb/s? I know it's used for eGPUs, but can it be used as an alternative to TB or USB?

Oculink is a connector mainly for pcie. They have 4 lane and 8 lane versions. So no, it will not replace usb, because its talking pcie... but you can use those 4 or 8 lanes for whatever.
Oculink was also somewhat an odd short lived standard...and mainly used on pcie gen3, but it works on gen4 so long as the cable is good enough.
Slimsas is the main gen4 connector and gen5 gets MCIO... so... Oculink may be good for a current gen eGPU and get better fps and lower latency, but its not a good forward looking solution.
That said you can typically get adapter cables.

C-Payne PCB Design

C-Payne PCB Design

c-payne.com

 

[TheLostSwede]

Thunderbolt cables are all supposed to meet the same specs.

Well, as long as you use the correct cable for the generation of Thunderbolt you have (see below for one caveat).
You will at least always get 40 Gbps if the connector is USB-C.

So there is no confusion like in USB where most things are optional.

Well, if you get a USB4 cable, it's the same as a Thunderbolt 3/4 cable. The cables aren't allowed to have something optional if it has the USB4 certification logo on it.

Note that anything above 7.5 W for USB4 and 15 W for Thunderbolt, is USB-PD in both instances and is optional.

Oculink is a connector mainly for pcie. They have 4 lane and 8 lane versions. So no, it will not replace usb, because its talking pcie... but you can use those 4 or 8 lanes for whatever.
Oculink was also somewhat an odd short lived standard...and mainly used on pcie gen3, but it works on gen4 so long as the cable is good enough.
Slimsas is the main gen4 connector and gen5 gets MCIO... so... Oculink may be good for a current gen eGPU and get better fps and lower latency, but its not a good forward looking solution.
That said you can typically get adapter cables.

C-Payne PCB Design

C-Payne PCB Design

c-payne.com

You're mixing up internal and internal connectors here now.
Oculink is also available as an external device to device interface, which differs slightly from the internal one, especially in terms of connector matings, which are exponentially higher for the external port.

The PCI-SIG is moving towards CopprLink as a non-consumer standard for external PCIe, but the "consumer friendly" version doesn't have a fancy name yet and the spec hasn't been locked in yet, but as you can see below, should technically be by the end of this month.
Personally I'm not a fan of the connector they've chosen for the consumer standard.

PCI-SIG Announces CopprLink Cable Specifications for PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 Technology

PCI-SIG, the organization responsible for the widely adopted PCI Express (PCIe) standard, today announced the release of the CopprLink Internal and External Cable specifications. The CopprLink Cable specifications provide signaling at 32.0 and 64.0 GT/s and leverage well-established industry...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[OkieDan]

I wish there was a high speed cable solution that was as affordable as an extension cord. Like a faster Plastic Optical Fiber with some electrical conductors for $1/ft.

 

[ToTTenTranz]

Well, as long as you use the correct cable for the generation of Thunderbolt you have (see below for one caveat).
You will at least always get 40 Gbps if the connector is USB-C.

Well, if you get a USB4 cable, it's the same as a Thunderbolt 3/4 cable. The cables aren't allowed to have something optional if it has the USB4 certification logo on it.

Note that anything above 7.5 W for USB4 and 15 W for Thunderbolt, is USB-PD in both instances and is optional.


You're mixing up internal and internal connectors here now.
Oculink is also available as an external device to device interface, which differs slightly from the internal one, especially in terms of connector matings, which are exponentially higher for the external port.

The PCI-SIG is moving towards CopprLink as a non-consumer standard for external PCIe, but the "consumer friendly" version doesn't have a fancy name yet and the spec hasn't been locked in yet, but as you can see below, should technically be by the end of this month.
Personally I'm not a fan of the connector they've chosen for the consumer standard.

View attachment 353238

PCI-SIG Announces CopprLink Cable Specifications for PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 Technology

PCI-SIG, the organization responsible for the widely adopted PCI Express (PCIe) standard, today announced the release of the CopprLink Internal and External Cable specifications. The CopprLink Cable specifications provide signaling at 32.0 and 64.0 GT/s and leverage well-established industry...

www.techpowerup.com

View attachment 353239

The most important part is that one way or another we're finally going to have a standardized and adequately fast external connection for laptops and handhelds to get eGPUs.

For how long have we been doing this dance? There was the ATi/AMD XGP port around 16 years ago which failed miserably, then Asus got its proprietary XG Mobile and Alienware their Graphics Amplifier.

 

[trsttte]

The most important part is that one way or another we're finally going to have a standardized and adequately fast external connection for laptops and handhelds to get eGPUs.

For how long have we been doing this dance? There was the ATi/AMD XGP port around 16 years ago which failed miserably, then Asus got its proprietary XG Mobile and Alienware their Graphics Amplifier.

We already had, thunderbolt has existed for ages now, it just has been very underutilized.

 

[micropage7]

sometimes i wonder how much we can push the speed with only improving the cable

 

[TheLostSwede]

I wish there was a high speed cable solution that was as affordable as an extension cord. Like a faster Plastic Optical Fiber with some electrical conductors for $1/ft.

Well, it would require the expensive parts to be inside the computer and the device instead. We're not there yet, but maybe within the next decade.

sometimes i wonder how much we can push the speed with only improving the cable

How long cable do you want?
People are already complaining about 1 meter being too short.

 

[ToTTenTranz]

We already had, thunderbolt has existed for ages now, it just has been very underutilized.

I don't think thunderbolt is adequately fast for eGPUs. Not for gaming, at least.