Thunderbolt vs. USB-C: what the connector hides
2 days ago
- #Technology Comparison
- #USB-C
- #Thunderbolt
- USB-C is a connector shape, while Thunderbolt is a high-speed protocol that uses the USB-C shape, causing confusion because they look identical.
- Thunderbolt 4 mandates stricter minimum requirements than Thunderbolt 3, such as consistent 40 Gbps speed, support for two 4K displays, and at least 15W power delivery.
- Thunderbolt 5 offers 80 Gbps symmetric bandwidth (up to 120 Gbps in boost mode) and up to 240W power delivery, requiring active cables for signal integrity.
- USB4 is based on Thunderbolt 3 technology but has optional features, while Thunderbolt 4 requires all features at full specification, ensuring predictable performance.
- Thunderbolt ports are identifiable by a lightning bolt icon; compatibility varies: USB-C devices work in Thunderbolt ports at USB speeds, but Thunderbolt devices often don’t work in basic USB-C ports.
- Cables with e-marker chips declare their capabilities; using incorrect cables can limit performance, and active electronics make Thunderbolt cables more expensive than passive USB-C cables.