Intel’s latest leak reveals that their upcoming Arrow Lake-S processors will feature support for Thunderbolt 5, the next generation of wired connectivity. This announcement offers exciting prospects for those interested in using external GPUs to enhance their gaming or graphics capabilities.
While the information was leaked and subsequently deleted by leaker YuuKi_AnS, tech site VideoCardz managed to capture and share screenshots of the presentation slides detailing the inclusion of Thunderbolt 5 support in the Barlow Bridge controller for Arrow Lake desktop.
Thunderbolt 5, unveiled by Intel last year, promises a significant upgrade over its predecessor, Thunderbolt 4. With 120Gbps bandwidth and PCIe Gen4 x4 support, Thunderbolt 5 is well-suited for connecting external GPUs, providing a substantial boost to graphics performance. This feature is particularly useful for gaming laptops or small form-factor PCs with limited internal space.
Although Thunderbolt 5 did not make it into Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs, it is present in the high-end Raptor Lake Refresh (HX) chips for laptops, recently unveiled at CES 2024. However, Arrow Lake represents the full arrival of Thunderbolt 5 on desktop platforms. Additionally, Arrow Lake will introduce Thunderbolt 5 support to mobile CPUs, including both top-tier HX processors and mainstream H series and low-power U variants.
The introduction of Thunderbolt 5 signifies a game-changer for external GPU enclosures. In the past, these enclosures have been hindered by limited wired connectivity options, which prevented them from fully utilizing the potential of external graphics cards. However, Thunderbolt 5’s increased bandwidth and PCIe Gen4 x4 support now provide a comparable experience to directly plugging a graphics card into the motherboard.
While the inclusion of Thunderbolt 5 support in Arrow Lake-S processors is undoubtedly a significant development, it is crucial to note that widespread adoption is still some time away. The initial availability of Thunderbolt 5 is limited to the niche HX series 14th-gen laptops. Arrow Lake-S itself is expected to launch in late 2024, possibly toward the end of the year. Consequently, it may not be until 2025 or 2026 that Thunderbolt 5 becomes more widely adopted.
Despite the wait, Intel’s commitment to Thunderbolt 5 compatibility in their future processors signals a promising future for wired connectivity. The enhanced performance and capabilities offered by Thunderbolt 5 are sure to generate increased interest in external GPU solutions and propel the industry further into the realm of high-performance graphics.
FAQ
1. What does the latest leak reveal about Intel’s upcoming Arrow Lake-S processors?
– The leak reveals that the Arrow Lake-S processors will feature support for Thunderbolt 5, the next generation of wired connectivity.
2. How was this information leaked and captured?
– Leaked by YuuKi_AnS and subsequently deleted, tech site VideoCardz managed to capture and share screenshots of the presentation slides detailing the inclusion of Thunderbolt 5 support.
3. What are the improvements of Thunderbolt 5 over Thunderbolt 4?
– Thunderbolt 5 offers 120Gbps bandwidth and PCIe Gen4 x4 support, providing a substantial boost to graphics performance.
4. Why is Thunderbolt 5 support significant for gaming laptops and small form-factor PCs?
– Thunderbolt 5 support is particularly useful for these devices as it allows for connecting external GPUs, enhancing graphics capabilities in systems with limited internal space.
5. Which Intel CPUs have Thunderbolt 5 support?
– Thunderbolt 5 did not make it into Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs, but it is present in the high-end Raptor Lake Refresh (HX) chips for laptops. Arrow Lake processors will feature Thunderbolt 5 support on desktop platforms and mobile CPUs.
6. How does Thunderbolt 5 impact external GPU enclosures?
– Thunderbolt 5’s increased bandwidth and PCIe Gen4 x4 support provide a comparable experience to directly plugging a graphics card into the motherboard, improving performance and capabilities for external GPU enclosures.
7. When will Thunderbolt 5 become more widely adopted?
– While Thunderbolt 5 support is present in select laptops with the initial availability limited, it is expected to become more widely adopted around 2025 or 2026 when Arrow Lake-S processors are launched.
Key Terms
1. Thunderbolt 5: The next generation of wired connectivity developed by Intel, offering improved bandwidth and support for external GPUs.
2. Arrow Lake-S processors: Upcoming processors from Intel that feature support for Thunderbolt 5.
3. GPU: Acronym for Graphics Processing Unit, a specialized electronic circuit that enhances the rendering of images, videos, and animations.
Related Links
– Intel Thunderbolt FAQ
– Intel Thunderbolt Technology Brief
– Intel Thunderbolt Technology Overview
The source of the article is from the blog elblog.pl