Thunderbolt™ vs USB-C Cable Connections
We always recommend using the Thunderbolt™ cable that is provided with our hubs. All cables supplied with the hubs are certified by Intel®. Cables displaying the Thunderbolt™ logo should have the same Intel® certification.
Choosing a Thunderbolt™ Cable for 40 Gbps
If you’re looking to achieve 40 Gbps speeds, consider purchasing one of the following Thunderbolt™ cable options:
- Up to 0.8 m passive
- Up to 2 m active
These are the maximum recommended lengths to make full use of Thunderbolt™ capabilities. Longer cables are available, but they may reduce speed and are not recommended.
Connection Recommendations
Ensure that the Thunderbolt™ cable is connected to a Thunderbolt™ 3 port on your PC. While a USB-C port may allow connection, it will not provide the full functionality of Thunderbolt™.
Thunderbolt™ vs USB-C Specifications
The table below outlines the key differences between Thunderbolt™ 3 and USB-C specifications:
| Functionality | Thunderbolt™ 3 | USB-C |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Up to 40 Gbps | Up to 10 Gbps |
| Display | Two 4K displays or one 5K display | One 4K display |
| Graphics (external) | Uses PCIe bus for eGPU support | Cannot support eGPU |
| Compatibility | Supports Thunderbolt 3 and 2 devices (with adapter), USB-C devices | Supports USB-C and legacy USB 3.x / 2.x devices (with adapter) |
| Expansion | Daisy-chain up to 6 devices | Supports single-device connections; expandability varies by host PC |
Identifying Thunderbolt™ Cables
Thunderbolt™ and USB-C connectors look the same, so it can sometimes be challenging to identify the correct cable. Look for the Thunderbolt™ logo, which resembles a ‘lightning’ icon on the cable end. See examples below:
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While variations of the lightning icon exist, all other USB types have distinct logos. Any cable with a lightning bolt symbol should denote Thunderbolt™ certification.