2m Thunderbolt 3 (20Gbps) USB-C Cable - Thunderbolt, USB, and DisplayPort Compatible

When you troubleshoot issues with a Thunderbolt cable there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

• Thunderbolt peripheral

• Thunderbolt port

• Thunderbolt cable

To test your setup components, try the following:

• Use the Thunderbolt peripheral, port, and cable in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.

• Use a Thunderbolt peripheral, port, and cable in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

• Test each cable individually.

• Use short cables when you are testing.

When you test the Thunderbolt peripheral, port, and cable, it is recommended that you do the following:

• If you are using Thunderbolt 1 or Thunderbolt 2 cables, make sure that the computer and peripheral are both Thunderbolt compliant. Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 use the same connector type as Mini DisplayPort. If the computer port is Mini DisplayPort, only DisplayPort devices will work.

• If you are using Thunderbolt 3 cables, make sure that the computer and peripheral are both Thunderbolt compliant. Thunderbolt 3 uses the same connector type as USB-C. If the computer port is USB-C, only USB devices will work.

• Install the latest drivers for the Thunderbolt peripheral available on the manufacturer's website.

• Install the latest drivers for the Thunderbolt port controller card.

Components

Thunderbolt™ 3 is the latest version of the Thunderbolt standard for connecting computers and electronic devices. It is capable of the following:

• Total bandwidth up to 40Gbps. Data transfer speeds are dependent on the other features that you are using in your setup.
• USB 3.1 Gen 2 support.
• 4K 60Hz video on one or two separate displays.
• 5K 60Hz video on a single display.
• A 10 GbE network connection between two Thunderbolt 3 compatible computers.
• Up to six devices daisy-chained from a single Thunderbolt 3 port.
• Alternate modes, such as DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode).
• Bi-directional power delivery up to 100W (not all Thunderbolt 3 devices support power delivery).

USB-C and Thunderbolt 3

Thunderbolt 3 uses the USB-C connector, but not all host connections, cables, and devices with a USB-C connector support Thunderbolt 3. This means that a USB-C device is compatible with a Thunderbolt 3 host connection, but a Thunderbolt 3 device is not compatible with a USB-C host connection. Therefore, it is important to know whether you have a USB-C or a Thunderbolt 3 host, cable, or device.

To determine if your component is a Thunderbolt 3 device, look for the Thunderbolt 3 symbol (shown below). USB-C devices do not include this symbol.  For more information about USB-C, see the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/usb-c-port-capabilites.

Thunderbolt symbol: https://sgcdn.startech.com/005329/media/products/gallery_large/TBLT3MMXM.B.jpg.

Backwards compatibility

If you use an adapter, Thunderbolt 3 host connections are compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 devices. You can use the StarTech.com TBT3TBTADAP to make a Thunderbolt 3 host connections backwards compatible.

Thunderbolt 3 devices are not backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 host connections.

Thunderbolt™ 3 is capable of 100W of bi-directional power; however not all manufacturers will implement power delivery, or implement power delivery at the full 100W.

Optical Thunderbolt 3 cables do not support power delivery at any wattage.

Refer to the information provided by the manufacturer to confirm the power delivery capabilities of the following components:

• The Thunderbolt 3 host connection
• The Thunderbolt 3 cable
• The Thunderbolt 3 device (for example, a hard drive docking station)

Although the Thunderbolt™ 3 standard is capable of data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, not every cable can support this bandwidth. For example, cables over a certain length or made with certain materials are only capable of data transfer speeds up to 20Gbps. 

To confirm the capability of your Thunderbolt 3 cable, refer to the information provided by the manufacturer. StarTech.com lists the capabilities of the Thunderbolt 3 cables on the individual product pages.

There are two different Thunderbolt 3 cable symbols: the 20Gbps symbol and the 40Gbps symbol. The 20Gbps symbol is composed of the Thunderbolt 3 symbol, and the 40Gbps symbol is composed of the Thunderbolt 3 symbol and the number three. These images are shown below.

• The 20Gbps symbol: https://sgcdn.startech.com/005329/media/products/gallery_large/TBLT3MMXM.B.jpg.
• The 40Gbps symbol: https://sgcdn.startech.com/005329/media/products/gallery_large/TBLT34MMXM.C.jpg.

Thunderbolt 3 uses the USB-C connector, but not all host connections, cables, and devices with a USB-C connector support Thunderbolt 3. This means that a USB-C device is compatible with a Thunderbolt 3 host connection, but a Thunderbolt 3 device is not compatible with a USB-C host connection. Therefore, it is important to know whether you have a USB-C or a Thunderbolt 3 host, cable, or device.

To determine if your component is a Thunderbolt 3 device, look for the Thunderbolt 3 symbol (shown below). USB-C devices do not include this symbol.  For more information about USB-C, see the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/usb-c-port-capabilites.

Thunderbolt symbol: https://sgcdn.startech.com/005329/media/products/gallery_large/TBLT3MMXM.B.jpg.