By DisplayPort and HDMI have historically been the two connector types found on PC graphics cards. They might be introducing Thunderbolt as a third now.
During Computex this year, Sparkle unveiled “Project Thundermage,” a prototype OPC graphics card that included two Thunderbolt connectors, DisplayPort, and HDMI. The partner, Intel, was the tell, though, as their “Barlow Ridge” Thunderbolt 5 controller was partnered with their “Battlemage” Arc GPUs.
The most recent DisplayPort or HDMI connectors, which both provide the bandwidth required for gaming-class monitors, have been used by graphics cards up to this point. One example of this is the graphics card above, which is not made by Sparkle. In the meantime, notebooks with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 connections for laptop docking stations were usually paired with displays that had built-in USB-C connectors. These laptops were ideal for productivity, but they did not support the high-refresh-rate screens that are generally used for gaming.
But Thunderbolt 5 changes that calculation. Upstream speeds of 80 Gbit/s and, in some situations, 120 Gbit/s are available with Thunderbolt 5. If manufacturers support it, that’s sufficient for both high-speed gaming and the production of high-resolution material. Although it’s unclear if panel manufacturers will be open to adding yet another port to their screens, Sparkle, an Intel partner, is arguing that it might.
According to a snapshot posted by @akiba_ten_M showcasing Sparkle’s stand, Videocardz points out that external displays might also be powered via Thunderbolt’s built-in power delivery. Although it seems unlikely, there might be a solution to lower the price of an external monitor.
