AMD has released more details about the USB4 implementation of its new Ryzen 6000 laptop processors. In short, the capabilities are more similar to Thunderbolt 4 than the minimal USB4 specification, for which AMD now appears to have a serious alternative.

Until now, Thunderbolt was only available on laptops with an Intel or Apple processor. This standard has definitely gained progress in recent years, because you can connect an entire workplace to a laptop directly with a single cable. Previously, AMD processors did not support this, but the USB4 ports of laptops with a Ryzen 6000 CPU will at least be compatible with Thunderbolt 3, and in practice offer many of the same capabilities as Thunderbolt 4.

The first USB4-compatible laptops will be available next month and will use a U-series processor, but AMD is keeping the option open to powering its previously introduced H-chip Ryzen 6000 laptops with full USB4 support. Among other things with the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, which we have done at the same time in this post first criteria publishing, a future software update will take care of that.

USB4 vs. AMD vs. Thunderbolt 4 . port

AMD’s USB4 implementation provides a link rate of 40 Gbit/s initially, which is identical to that of Thunderbolt 4. The USB4 standard requires only 20 Gbit/s. Also, like the Thunderbolt 4 ports, the USB4 ports on laptops with a Ryzen 6000 CPU can transmit a DisplayPort 1.4a and PCIe 3.0 x4 signal. In addition, AMD assures that connecting an external video card through this port is possible.

One specification of Thunderbolt 4 that AMD doesn’t compare with is the mandatory 15W power supply for power accessories. Perhaps this is one of the points where AMD’s USB4 usage is still lower than Thunderbolt 4. Moreover, of course, Intel certification is missing, which is mandatory for every laptop with official Thunderbolt support. Engineer Intel Yehonadav Moshe said earlier Interview with Tweakers That “our lab is open to any manufacturer seeking Thunderbolt 4 certification,” but “it is up to the company to decide for themselves whether to aim for the high level of Thunderbolt 4 or settle on USB4.”

AMDs Ryzen 6000 laptop processors It can be officially sold out from today. HS CPUs with 35W TDPs will be available first; The H-series (45W) and U-series (15-28W) won’t follow until March. As mentioned, the first Ryzen 6000 laptops with USB4 support will also appear next.