1. Introduction
This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 Expansion Card. Please read this manual thoroughly before installation and retain it for future reference.
The ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 is a Thunderbolt 5 add-on card designed to enhance your system's connectivity with high-speed data transfer and video output capabilities. It features dual Thunderbolt™ 5 USB-C ports, offering up to 120 Gbps bi-directional bandwidth, and supports DisplayPort™ 2.1 for multiple high-resolution displays.
2. Package Contents
Verify that all items are present in your package. If any item is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
- ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 Expansion Card
- USB 2.0 cable
- Thunderbolt cable
- Mini DP to DP cables (quantity: 2)
- User Guide
Image: The ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 Expansion Card shown with its retail box, user guide, USB 2.0 cable, Thunderbolt cable, and two Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cables.
3. Product Overview
3.1. Features
- Intel certified Thunderbolt 5 add-on card.
- Dual USB Type-C ports supporting up to 130 watts total fast charging, with up to 96W for a single device.
- Supports daisy-chaining up to five Thunderbolt devices.
- Up to 120 Gbps bandwidth for high-speed data transfers and video output.
- DisplayPort 2.1 port supports up to three 8K 60 Hz displays with Display Stream Compression (DSC).
- Flexible FastCharge and Intel Thunderbolt Share support.
3.2. Card Layout
Image: Front view of the ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 card, showing the two Thunderbolt 5 USB-C ports and three Mini DisplayPort input ports.
Image: Top view of the ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 card, highlighting the heatsink design and ASUS branding.
Image: Side view of the ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 card, showing the PCIe connector and the rear I/O bracket.
Image: Detailed diagram illustrating the external ports (3x Mini DisplayPort IN, 2x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 5 ports) and internal connectors (6-pin PCIe power, USB 2.0 header, Thunderbolt header) on the ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 card.
4. System Requirements
- Motherboard: Compatible Intel 800 Series Motherboards with a Thunderbolt (USB4) header. Refer to your motherboard's manual or ASUS support website for compatibility.
- PCIe Slot: One available PCIe 4.0 x4 slot (or higher, operating at x4 speed).
- Operating System: Windows, macOS, Linux (driver support may vary).
- Power Supply: A power supply unit with an available 6-pin PCIe power connector for Flexible FastCharge functionality (cable not included).
5. Installation
Important: Before proceeding with installation, ensure your computer is powered off and disconnected from the power outlet. Wear an anti-static wrist strap to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to components.
- Prepare your system: Power off your computer and unplug the power cord. Open the computer case.
- Locate an available PCIe slot: Identify an empty PCIe 4.0 x4 slot on your motherboard. Remove the corresponding expansion slot cover from your computer case.
- Install the ThunderboltEX 5 card: Carefully align the ThunderboltEX 5 card with the chosen PCIe slot. Press down firmly and evenly until the card is securely seated in the slot. Secure the card to the case with a screw.
- Connect internal cables:
- Connect the provided Thunderbolt cable from the ThunderboltEX 5 card's internal header to the Thunderbolt (USB4) header on your motherboard.
- Connect the provided USB 2.0 cable from the ThunderboltEX 5 card's internal USB 2.0 header to an available USB 2.0 header on your motherboard.
- If using the Flexible FastCharge feature, connect a 6-pin PCIe power cable from your power supply to the 6-pin power connector on the ThunderboltEX 5 card.
- Connect DisplayPort cables (optional): If you intend to use the DisplayPort input functionality, connect your graphics card's DisplayPort outputs to the Mini DisplayPort IN ports on the ThunderboltEX 5 card using the provided Mini DP to DP cables.
- Close the case and power on: Close your computer case, reconnect the power cord, and power on your system.
- Install drivers: Boot into your operating system. Download and install the latest ThunderboltEX 5 drivers from the official ASUS support website.
- BIOS Configuration: Access your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI settings. Ensure that the Thunderbolt controller is enabled and configured correctly. Refer to your motherboard's manual for specific instructions on Thunderbolt settings.
Image: The ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 card correctly installed into a PCIe slot on a compatible motherboard.
6. Operation
6.1. Connecting Thunderbolt Devices
Connect Thunderbolt 5 or USB4 devices to the USB Type-C ports on the ThunderboltEX 5 card. The card supports daisy-chaining up to five Thunderbolt devices per port.
Image: Illustration demonstrating how to daisy-chain multiple Thunderbolt devices, such as storage arrays and monitors, from a single Thunderbolt 5 port on the expansion card.
6.2. Display Output
The ThunderboltEX 5 card supports DisplayPort 2.1, allowing connection of up to three 8K 60 Hz displays with DSC. Ensure your graphics card is connected to the Mini DisplayPort IN ports on the ThunderboltEX 5 card for video passthrough.
6.3. Fast Charging
The dual USB Type-C ports provide up to 130 watts of total fast charging, with up to 96W for a single device, provided the optional 6-pin PCIe power connector is connected.
6.4. Thunderbolt Share
Utilize Intel Thunderbolt Share for seamless dual-PC sharing, enabling control of other computers, file synchronization, and drag-and-drop data transfer between two systems. A certified Thunderbolt™ or USB4® cable is required for optimal performance.
Image: Visual representation of Thunderbolt Share features, including controlling another computer, syncing files, drag-and-drop functionality, and transferring data to a new computer.
7. Maintenance
- Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to gently clean the card. Do not use liquid cleaners or solvents.
- Driver Updates: Regularly check the ASUS support website for the latest drivers and firmware updates to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.
- Environmental Conditions: Ensure your computer case has adequate airflow to prevent overheating. Operate the card within recommended temperature and humidity ranges.
8. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Card not detected by system. | Incorrect installation, missing drivers, or BIOS settings. | Ensure the card is fully seated in the PCIe slot. Verify all internal cables (Thunderbolt, USB 2.0) are connected. Install the latest drivers from ASUS. Check BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure Thunderbolt is enabled. |
| Thunderbolt devices not recognized. | Outdated drivers, incompatible device, or cable issue. | Update Thunderbolt drivers. Ensure the device is Thunderbolt 5 or USB4 compatible. Try a different certified Thunderbolt cable. |
| No display output from Thunderbolt ports. | DisplayPort IN cables not connected, or graphics card driver issue. | Ensure Mini DisplayPort IN cables are correctly connected from your graphics card to the ThunderboltEX 5. Update graphics card drivers. |
| Fast charging not working or slow. | 6-pin PCIe power cable not connected. | Connect a 6-pin PCIe power cable from your power supply to the ThunderboltEX 5 card. Ensure the connected device supports fast charging. |
If the issue persists after following these steps, please contact ASUS customer support for further assistance.
9. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | ThunderboltEX 5 |
| Interface | PCI Express x4 |
| Bandwidth | Up to 120 Gbps bi-directional |
| Ports | 2 x Thunderbolt™ 5 USB-C ports, 3 x Mini DisplayPort™ IN ports |
| Display Support | Up to three 8K 60 Hz displays with DSC (via DisplayPort 2.1) |
| Charging | Up to 130W total, 96W per device (with 6-pin PCIe power) |
| Daisy-Chain | Up to 5 Thunderbolt devices per port |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 9 x 7.3 x 2.4 inches (22.86 x 18.54 x 6.1 cm) |
| Weight | 1.16 pounds (0.53 kg) |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS, Linux |
10. Warranty and Support
For detailed warranty information, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official ASUS support website. ASUS provides technical support and resources for its products.
- ASUS Support Website: www.asus.com/support/
- Product Registration: Register your product to receive the best service and support.
