Thunderbolt 5 is a Game Changer for VFX Companies

Apple and Intel released Thunderbolt 5 back in November 2024, and it has represented an evolutionary leap in the hardware interface. 

Thunderbolt 5 offers increased maximum speeds and has adopted the more common USB-C standard. Thunderbolt 5 has a maximum speed of 80-160 Gbps, capable of supporting two 240Hz 4k displays, multiple 8k monitors, or a 16k display at 60 Hz. 

One of the more sophisticated features is that it offers an asymmetrical configuration for video-intensive uses, which divides the bandwidth in a 120/40 Gbps split, allowing for higher refresh rates on multiple high-resolution displays. 

The innovations represented by Thunderbolt 5 aren’t limited to displays; it incorporates other features related to device charging and data transfer rates as well. Thunderbolt 5-enabled devices add compatibility with 240-watt cabling and charging, and support for USB4 2.0. 

While Thunderbolt 5 is still in its early days, we can expect to see an increasing number of supported devices and peripherals; this is likely to coincide with the wider adoption of 16K displays. 

Trying to figure out if Thunderbolt 5 can boost your productivity and bring next-generation graphics hardware to your business? Nodal can help! Contact us today.