Thunderbolt vs USB4 - DIY in 5 Ep 253

Опубликовано 13 июля 2025, 13:01

Puzzling over the difference between Thunderbolt and USB4? This video is for you!
Both Thunderbolt and USB4 use the USB-C connector, have fast 40Gbps speeds, and support both video and power passthrough, but it is their differences that could make or break your setup, so that will be this video’s focus.

USB4
The USB standard has been around for decades, and USB4 is the latest open standard. USB4 Version 1.0 supports DisplayPort 1.4a up to 8K@30Hz. Version 2.0 supports DisplayPort 2.1 up to 16K@60Hz, fast enough even to support external GPUs and other accessories, with up to 100W of power delivery. As an open standard, USB4 is supported by basically every manufacturer in the industry, as well as contemporary operating systems, and is backwards compatible with USB 3.2 (and, if you have a USB-C to USB-A adapter, USB 2.0). However, the flipside is that not all USB4 accessories are created equal. Cheaper implementations may only support the minimums of 20Gbps or 7.5W of power delivery. Look for a 20 or a 40 in the specs to understand which USB4 you might be getting.

Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt 4 was released in 2020 and has been widely adopted on modern Intel and Apple devices. High-end devices are even starting to see Thunderbolt 5, but this video is concerned with the more common Thunderbolt 4. Thunderbolt 4 is compatible with USB4 and PCIe Gen 3, offering 40Gbps bandwidth, with support for DisplayPort 1.4 and 100W power delivery, as well as dual monitor support. Thunderbolt also has the advantage of cable length over USB4: Thunderbolt 4 cables can maintain their top speeds over 2 meters, while USB4 can only support top speeds over 1 meter, limiting speeds if the cable is longer than that. You can see the difference in the cables by the logo: lightning bolt or USB 20 or 40.

Thunderbolt 4 has minimum implementations for more budget devices like USB4. Thunderbolt 4’s minimum speed requirement is 32Gbps and its minimum power delivery is 15W. While both standards offer similar high-end capabilities, a budget Thunderbolt 4 will outperform a budget USB4 port.

Remember that the next generation of both of these standards is either on the horizon or, in some cases, already here. At the time this video is being recorded, USB4 Version 2.0 is still being rolled out and is not yet widespread, but its increased bandwidth of 80Gbps will doubtless help its popularity. Similarly Thunderbolt 5’s speed (80Gbps), power delivery (140-240W), and support for PCIe 4 and triple displays will raise its profile.

Which to choose?
If you need dual displays or high speeds at long cable lengths, Thunderbolt is the choice to make. If you’re shopping on a budget, USB4’s lower minimum requirements might make it the cheaper choice. Many new laptops support USB4, but not all use it to its full capacity, or offer compatibility with Thunderbolt.

Have you upgraded to Thunderbolt 5 or USB4 2.0? How are you finding their upgraded features? Let us know in the comments!

Got questions about the video or Kingston products? COMMENT or contact us on SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: twitter.com/kingstontech
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstontechnolo...
Facebook: facebook.com/kingstontechnolog...
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/kingston
SUBSCRIBE for more DIY in 5 videos, and receive updates on the latest in Kingston’s memory & storage development, plus guides on getting peak performance from your hardware:
youtube.com/channel/UCLlmpSSdR...

0:00 Intro
0:39 USB4
1:46 Thunderbolt
3:25 Conclusion