Thunderbolt vs USB C
Is Thunderbolt the same as USB-C?
USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 & 4 are frequently confused because they both utilize the same oval shape USB C connector, but they are distinct technologies with different capabilities and features. Understanding the key differences between USB-C and Thunderbolt is essential for making informed decisions about which technology best suits your needs. This guide will help you navigate the functionalities, speeds, and use cases of USB C and Thunderbolt, ensuring you chooses the right connection for your devices.
Note that only Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 use the USB C connector, whereas earlier versions, Thunderbolt 1 and 2 adapted the Mini DisplayPort connector.
| USB-C | Thunderbolt 3 / 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Connector Type | USB-C is a physical connector type used for several different standards including USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2, and USB4. | Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 use the USB-C connector. The upcoming Thunderbolt 5 will also use the USB-C connector. |
| Data Transfer Speed |
USB 2.0: Up to 480 Mbps USB 3.0: Up to 5 Gbps USB 3.1: Up to 10 Gbps USB 3.2: Up to 20 Gbps USB4: Up to 40 Gbps |
Thunderbolt 3: Up to 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 4: Also up to 40 Gbps but with more stringent requirements |
| Power Delivery | USB-C supports USB Power Delivery (USB PD), which can deliver up to 240W of power. | Thunderbolt 3 and 4 can also deliver up to 100W of power via USB Power Delivery. |
| Video Display Output |
USB 3.2 Type-C supports DP (DisplayPort) Alt Mode in 2-lane and 4-lane DP mode. 2-lane mode: Up to one 4K or two 2K displays. 4-lane mode: Up to one 8K or two 4K displays. Connect to HDMI through Adapter. |
Supports both Thunderbolt Mode and DisplayPort Mode. TB Mode (Tunneling): Up to two 4K displays or one 5K display (TB 3). Up to two 4K displays or one 8K display (TB 4). DP mode: Same as USB 3.2 Type-C. |
| PCIe Routing | USB4: Optional Support. | Up to 4 lanes of PCI Express Gen 3 (4 x 8 Gbps). |
| Daisy Chaining | Supports DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST). | Supports daisy chaining. |
| Typical Devices | Smartphones, Tablets, DSLR Cameras, Display Monitors, Video Conferencing Cameras. | Laptops, External GPUs, Dock Stations, RAID Storage. |
High-Performance USB-C Cables with Thunderbolt 4 & 3 Compatibility
FAQ
Q: Is USB-C cable compatible with Thunderbolt ports?
A: Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports on computer host are compatible with all USB4, 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, and 2.0 cables and peripherals and running at the speed of the respective USB data speed. Be aware that some TB 3 and 4 ports on peripherals only support Thunderbolt data.
Q: Can I use a USB-C cable with a Thunderbolt dock?
A: Some docks might downgrade to USB mode when using a USB-C cable. To achive the full function, you must use a Thunderbolt cable to connect from the Thunderbolt port of the computer to a Thunderbolt dock station.
Q: Can I use a Thunderbolt cable to connect USB-C peripherals?
A: Most passive Thunderbolt 3 and 4 cables are compatible with USB4, 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, and 2.0. However, some TB3 active optical cables are not compatible with USB protocols.
Q: Can I charge laptop through Thunderbolt port on my laptop?
A: Yes, all Thunderbolt 3 and 4 port should support USB Power Delivery at minimum of 100W according to the standard. You can use USB PD compliant charger and cable to charge through any TB 3 or 4 port on your laptop.
Q: How do I know if my device supports Thunderbolt 3 or 4?
A: Devices that support Thunderbolt 3 or 4 typically have a Thunderbolt symbol (a lightning bolt) near the USB-C port.