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General
What is USB 4?
USB 4 is a new version of USB connectivity that is backwards compatible with older USB devices (USB 3, USB 2 and previous) while gaining many of the advanced features of Intel’s proprietary Thunderbolt technology.
For users this means faster data transfers (two or more times faster than previous USB standards) and the ability to support higher video output resolutions.
The USB 4 standard is very new compared with the existing USB 3 standard which was first introduced in 2008. This means that most computers currently support USB 3, but you can expect to see computers starting to gain USB 4 support from 2022 onwards.
The good news is that USB 4 is backwards compatible with computers that support USB 3 and Thunderbolt. Buying a USB 4 accessory now means you are buying a future proofed product that will also work with new computers that are released in the next few years.
For users this means faster data transfers (two or more times faster than previous USB standards) and the ability to support higher video output resolutions.
The USB 4 standard is very new compared with the existing USB 3 standard which was first introduced in 2008. This means that most computers currently support USB 3, but you can expect to see computers starting to gain USB 4 support from 2022 onwards.
The good news is that USB 4 is backwards compatible with computers that support USB 3 and Thunderbolt. Buying a USB 4 accessory now means you are buying a future proofed product that will also work with new computers that are released in the next few years.
Will this device work with my current computer that has USB 3 or Thunderbolt ports?
Yes! USB 4 is backwards compatible with computers that support USB 3 and Thunderbolt. Buying a USB 4 accessory now will work with your existing computer and also means that you are buying a future proofed product that will work with new computers that are released in the next few years.
Note that USB 4 accessories are limited to USB 3 capabilities when used with current or older computers that only support USB 3. The effect of this means that when this device is used with USB 3 computers USB port speeds and video resolutions achievable may not reach the maximum speeds and resolutions that the device is capable of. Guidance on achievable resolutions can be found below.
DSC: Display Stream Compression
Note that USB 4 accessories are limited to USB 3 capabilities when used with current or older computers that only support USB 3. The effect of this means that when this device is used with USB 3 computers USB port speeds and video resolutions achievable may not reach the maximum speeds and resolutions that the device is capable of. Guidance on achievable resolutions can be found below.
| Host Type | Max Resolution/Refresh Rate | |
| Without DSC* | With DSC* | |
| USB-C 3.x DP1.2 alt mode hosts | 4K 30Hz |
|
| USB-C 3.x DP1.4 alt mode hosts | 4K 60Hz | 8K 30Hz |
| TB3 DP1.2 alt mode hosts | 4K 30Hz |
|
| TB3 DP1.4 alt mode hosts | 4K 60Hz | 8K 30Hz |
| TB4 DP1.4 alt mode hosts | 8K 30Hz | 8K 60Hz |
| USB 4 hosts | 8K 30Hz | 8K 60Hz |
| Mac Intel hosts | 4K 30 - 60Hz |
|
| Mac first generation M1 hosts | 4K 60Hz |
|
| Mac M1 Pro/Max hosts | 4K 60Hz |
|
Can I charge my computer with this device?
This device can operate standalone and receive power from the computer it is connected to, or you can connect a USB-C Power Delivery (USB PD) power adapter (available separately) to the hub and it can charge computers and tablets that support USB PD charging.
The device supports USB PD 2.0 and 3.0 power adapters up to 100W. Note that the device can reserve up to 15W from power adapters to power itself and peripheral devices connected to the ports on the hub so it is best to use a USB PD power adapter that is at least 15W larger than the power adapter that was supplied with the computer.
The maximum Wattage that this hub can provide to charge a computer is 85W (100W power adapter minus 15W reserved by the hub). This is sufficient for most laptops, but a few larger high performance laptops may slow charge or not be able to charge through this device.
If the computer shows a message indicating that it is not receiving enough power from the device, increase the size (Wattage) of the connected power adapter or connect the power adapter directly to the computer.
The device supports USB PD 2.0 and 3.0 power adapters up to 100W. Note that the device can reserve up to 15W from power adapters to power itself and peripheral devices connected to the ports on the hub so it is best to use a USB PD power adapter that is at least 15W larger than the power adapter that was supplied with the computer.
The maximum Wattage that this hub can provide to charge a computer is 85W (100W power adapter minus 15W reserved by the hub). This is sufficient for most laptops, but a few larger high performance laptops may slow charge or not be able to charge through this device.
If the computer shows a message indicating that it is not receiving enough power from the device, increase the size (Wattage) of the connected power adapter or connect the power adapter directly to the computer.
What maximum resolution and refresh rate will my computer display with this device?
The maximum video resolution and refresh rate available depends on the capabilities of your computer. The table below lists the maximum available to computers of different types and capabilities.
* DSC: Display Stream Compression
| Host Type | Max Resolution/Refresh Rate | |
| Without DSC* | With DSC* | |
| USB-C 3.x DP1.2 alt mode hosts | 4K 30Hz |
|
| USB-C 3.x DP1.4 alt mode hosts | 4K 60Hz | 8K 30Hz |
| TB3 DP1.2 alt mode hosts | 4K 30Hz |
|
| TB3 DP1.4 alt mode hosts | 4K 60Hz | 8K 30Hz |
| TB4 DP1.4 alt mode hosts | 8K 30Hz | 8K 60Hz |
| USB 4 hosts | 8K 30Hz | 8K 60Hz |
| Mac Intel hosts | 4K 30 - 60Hz |
|
| Mac first generation M1 hosts | 4K 60Hz |
|
| Mac M1 Pro/Max hosts | 4K 60Hz |
|
* DSC: Display Stream Compression
