Docking
A multiport Thunderbolt 4 dock can connect via a Thunderbolt 4 cable to a single Thunderbolt 4 port on your PC.
Port expansion. Increase the number of devices you can connect to a laptop or desktop PC with a Thunderbolt 4 dock. For example, connect a gaming keyboard, a wired gaming mouse, external monitor, and SSD to a dock, and then to a PC with a single Thunderbolt 4 cable. Just how many — and what kind — of ports are supported will vary depending on the dock’s make and model. Most Thunderbolt 4 docks increase the number of Thunderbolt 4 ports available and frequently feature additional ports for USB 3.0 Type-A, DisplayPort, and audio.
Ease of throughput. With a bandwidth of 40Gbps, Thunderbolt 4 ports make it easy to connect high performance devices — such as a gaming monitor and a high-speed SSD — and use them at their intended speeds without overloading the port’s capacity. Because the bandwidth is bidirectional, the outgoing video signal won’t conflict with incoming data from peripherals or a storage drive.
Cable management. Use a dock to keep your gaming space organized, with all of your gaming accessories plugging into a central hub instead of connecting directly to the PC itself. With just one cable going from the dock to your PC, your gaming area stays clean and free of clutter.
Mobility. Simply detach one cable instead of three or four when you want to relocate with your laptop.
External Upgrades
Thunderbolt 4 ports also provide external access to the high-speed PCIe bus, allowing components that use PCIe to be connected without having to install them internally.
External SSD. Run games from an external NVMe SSD, such as the Sam-sung Portable SSD X5 and the built-in drive in the Seagate FireCuda Gaming Dock. Because NVMe storage uses PCIe instead of the older SATA connectors used by SATA SSDs and traditional HDDs, read/write speeds are fast enough for gaming from an external storage device. This allows games to be transferred to an external drive, so they can be played on any system that supports Thunderbolt 4.
Video capture devices. Another possibility is attaching an external capture device for streaming, such as the AVerMedia Live Gamer BOLT. You can capture gameplay in full 4K at 60Hz or in 1080p at 240Hz. Having a dedicated unit for capturing gameplay frees up system resources, allowing you to play games at higher settings while retaining clear video quality.
External Graphics. Connect an external GPU to boost the graphical performance of a laptop or lightweight PC, allowing you to play more games at higher settings.
Cable Simplification
There are a number of benefits to replacing USB cables in your gaming setup with Thunderbolt 4, the foremost being simplicity.
They’re simple. With USB having gone through so many revisions, finding the right cable can be confusing. USB 2.0? USB 3.2 5Gbps? USB 3.2 10Gbps? USB 3/DP? A single Thunderbolt 4 cable does the job of all of them.
They’re easy to identify. With some USB cables, it can be hard to identify what version of cable you’re using and what features it supports. All Thunderbolt 4 connectors are marked with the Thunderbolt symbol and the number 4, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
They transmit data farther. With longer data transmission distance, Thunderbolt 4 cables provide top transfer speeds at up to 2 meters (6.56 feet) in length — ideal for building a gaming laptop setup.
They’re certified. Thunderbolt cables are tested for quality and required to meet certification standards.
Connect More Devices with Thunderbolt 4
If simple, versatile, and powerful I/O functionality is a priority, look for a PC with Thunderbolt 4 ports. A Thunderbolt™ dock with multiple Thunderbolt™ ports allows you to connect all your gaming accessories and a high-speed monitor, all the while keeping your gaming space neat and organized.
Thunderbolt™ devices also provide powerful external performance. Thunderbolt™ SSDs and Thunderbolt™ docks with integrated storage let you store games with large file sizes and play them at fast speeds, while Thunderbolt external capture devices improve the quality of your stream, and can help you grow an audience.
Whether you choose a desktop or laptop for your next gaming system, Thunderbolt 4 technology provides extensive options for expanding your setup.
