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How Many Monitors Can the Thunderbolt 3 Dock Support?

The Thunderbolt technology is revolutionary, offering a high-speed, dual-protocol PC I/O experience characterized by exceptional performance, ease of use, and adaptability. With Thunderbolt I/O, data can flow seamlessly between devices and computers through two channels of 10Gbps simultaneously in upstream and downstream directions. This capability allows the connection of up to 6 daisy-chained devices through a single compact port. Thunderbolt 3 not only elevates the speed and efficiency of data transfer but also enables a wide range of innovative applications, marking a significant advancement in connectivity technology.

More about TB3

Thunderbolt 3-equipped computer ports offer a remarkable 40Gbps Thunderbolt speed, which is twice as fast as the previous generation. This versatile port also supports USB 3.1 at 10Gbps and DisplayPort 1.2. Unlike before, a single Thunderbolt 3 port can now seamlessly connect to Thunderbolt devices, every display, and billions of USB devices. This consolidated connection, facilitated by a single cable, provides four times the data and twice the video bandwidth of alternative wires, all while delivering up to 100W of power. This level of performance is unmatched and proves particularly advantageous for emerging applications like 4K video, single-cable docks with charging, external graphics, and integrated 10 GbE networking. Thunderbolt 3 stands out as the superior USB-C solution, embodying a transformative high-speed, dual-protocol PC I/O that delivers performance, simplicity, and flexibility.

Display Specifics

Thunderbolt 3 introduces DisplayPort functionality, offering native compatibility with all displays featuring DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort. Through adapters, it extends connectivity to encompass all contemporary display interfaces, including HDMI, DVI, and VGA. Rooted in the DisplayPort 1.2 specification, Thunderbolt 3 can handle up to 2 streams (eight lanes) of DisplayPort 1.2 video bandwidth. This results in a single cable that delivers four times the data and twice the video bandwidth of alternative wires while also providing a power supply of up to 100W. The versatility of Thunderbolt 3 is evident in its support for various display configurations, such as one 4K display (4096 x 2160) at 30-bit and 120 Hz, one 5K display (5120 x 2880) at 30-bit and 60 Hz, and two 4K displays (4096 x 2160) each at 30-bit and 60 Hz.

Thunderbolt 3 allows the connection of two 4K monitors, one 5K, or one 4K at 120 Hz per port.

Thunderbolt Future

Thunderbolt 4 supports the same number of displays as Thunderbolt 3 while adding support for resolutions up to 8K.

Thunderbolt 4 represents a further evolution of the groundbreaking Thunderbolt 3, offering a universal cable connectivity experience. Consistently providing 40 Gbps speeds, Thunderbolt 4 seamlessly integrates data, video, and power transmission over a single connection. This specification stands out as the most comprehensive in the Thunderbolt series, boasting compliance with an extensive range of industry-standard specifications, including USB4, DisplayPort, and PCI Express (PCIe). Thunderbolt 4 ensures full compatibility with earlier generations of Thunderbolt and USB products, underscoring its versatility and backward compatibility. Please refer to the News Byte on the Intel Newsroom for in-depth information.

Glyph has been a pioneering company in the digital data storage industry for almost three decades, specializing in product design, assembly, and testing within the USA. Their external storage solutions are meticulously engineered to address the most rigorous and challenging workflows.