Intel Announces Thunderbolt 2 at Computex: 20Gbps Bi-Directional Bandwidth per Channel

[Nicktrance]

Intel is revealing some more information about their Falcon Ridge Thunderbolt controller (to be released in 2014) and they gave the new Thunderbolt spec a new name: Thunderbolt 2

So far the only thing we know is that it will sport a new 20Gbps bi-directional channel that can handle both data and/or display as opposed to the current 10Gbps per channel

 

Thunderbolt 2 will support DisplayPort 1.2 and 4K video. Intel expects the first Thunderbolt 2 controllers to go into production by the end of this year, and ramp into early 2014. Given the timeframe I no longer believe this is a Broadwell play. It also seems too early for the rumored 9-series chipset refresh. Thunderbolt 2 may end up appearing out of phase with both of those.

Source: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7026/intel-announces-thunderbolt-2-at-computex-20gbps-bidirectional-bandwidth-per-channel

 

Do you use Thunderbolt? If so, will this be of any benefit to you?

I think the ability to support 4K sounds nice, I'm curious what the frequency would be though, but 20GB should be enough to transfer 4K at 60Hz.

[Kajornkeat]

I think this is going to be very useful for external GPU. They need to put this in every laptop so we can have a powerful game/workstation at home. Most mid-high end mobile cpu powerful enough to do most stuff. All we need is better GPU in laptop. Good job intel XD.

[Bob]

dat 4K recording. 

[Glenwing]

20Gbps is barely enough to support 4K @ 60Hz.  Same as DisplayPort 1.2.

[mgsstar]

Who is going to need 20gbps speed besides getting 4k video? I don't think there are hard drives that can transfer at 20gbps.

[xBlizzDevious]

Who is going to need 20gbps speed besides getting 4k video? I don't think there are hard drives that can transfer at 20gbps.

 

Well I don't run Thunderbolt or even multiple external drives, but I think the intention with Thunderbolt is that you can have, for example, a number of external HDDs and then a monitor at the end of the line; all connected to a single port.

[Legion]

I've still to find a point in thunderbolt.

[fishymamba]

and they gave the new Thunderbolt spec a new name: Thunderbolt 2

 

Those guys at Intel are pretty creative :lol:

 

My motherboard has a thunderbolt port, but I still have not found a use for it. If I get an external hard drive I would just use USB 3.0

And with all the room in my case, I don't think I will have to add an external storage anytime soon. 

[nishank93]

I'd rather have that USB3.0 update that was being talked about some time ago that was supposed to bring it to 10Gb/s.