6 Best Motherboards with Thunderbolt 4 Compatibility in 2024

By Robin Owens 10 days ago, Thunderbolt

Motherboards with thunderbolt that will definitely improve your PC.

top 3 motherboards with thunderbolt

People are searching for the best motherboards with thunderbolt, as it is a super cool technology that allows you to connect multiple devices through just one port. It's like having a universal connector for all your thunderbolt devices, which means less cable mess on your desk.

Thunderbolt allows you to connect external high-resolution displays and monitors to your motherboard, making it a big deal for all you graphic designers, video editors, and multimedia producers out there. You can create and edit your masterpieces with utmost precision and clarity using a thunderbolt motherboard.

Top 6 Motherboards with Thunderbolt to Choose

  1. ASUS ProArt Z790 - Solid performance
  2. GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS Xtreme - High-end quality
  3. ROG Maximus XIII Hero - For gaming
  4. MSI MEG Z590 - Thermal designed
  5. ASUS TUF Gaming Z590 - Budget-friendly
  6. ASUS ProArt B550-Creator - For content creators

The right choice of the best motherboard with Thunderbolt 3 or 4 depends on your needs, but there are some basic characteristics to pay attention to. The size of the motherboard can really make a difference, especially if you're looking for a thunderbolt laptop.

The best motherboard with Thunderbolt 3 should have a bunch of USB ports for all your external devices. You don't want your CPU overheating during those intense gaming sessions or heavy workloads. So, make sure the motherboard has an advanced cooling system that can keep things nice and cool.

A good motherboard with thunderbolt 3 should be able to support up to two 4K displays or even an 8K display, providing you with exceptional visual power.

1. ASUS ProArt Z790 – Our Choice

Solid performance
asus proart z790 motherboard with thunderbolt
  • ✚ Great VRM setup
  • ✚ Dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports
  • ✚ Elegant aesthetic with black and gold color scheme
  • ✚ Wi-Fi 6E
  • Lacks gaming-focused extras
  • RGB LED headers require a separately-sold lighting controller

ASUS ProArt Z790 has a solid VRM setup that works well with high-end 13th generation Intel processors. It boasts dual PCIe 5.0 slots for graphics cards, allowing you to take full advantage of the latest and greatest GPUs.

The lightning-fast connectivity options, including dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports and 10Gb LAN plus WiFi 6E, ensure that you have fast and reliable connections for your work, particularly on thunderbolt tablet.

The ProArt Z790 motherboard supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory with its four memory slots. One standout feature is the Q-Release on the primary PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, which makes removing your graphics card a breeze. Additionally, there are front panel USB-C ports that support USB 3.2 Gen 2 speed for quick file transfers and data backups.

2. GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS Xtreme

High-end quality
gigabyte z590 aorus xtreme motherboard with thunderbolt
  • ✚ High-speed data transfer
  • ✚ Smart Quick Boost for automatic overclocking
  • ✚ Unique cooling design
  • ✚ Premium design
  • Limited number of USB ports
  • Expensive

GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS Xtreme is a premium motherboard that's perfect for those who want the absolute best for their build. It's got a unique cooling design, boosted power delivery, and even hi-res audio with a thunderbolt audio interface. Plus, the M.2 slots support the new PCIe 4.0 standard, which means blazing-fast SSD performance.

One of the greatest features of this thunderbolt motherboard is its focus on overclocking. It's specifically designed for those who want to push their CPUs to the limits. With a ton of extras and advanced features, it's a great choice for overclockers. And if you're into tweaking and fine-tuning your system, this board has got you covered.

3. ROG Maximus XIII Hero

For gaming
rog maximus xiii hero motherboard with thunderbolt
  • ✚ Broad overclocking support
  • ✚ Tailored power delivery
  • ✚ Multiple heatsinks
  • ✚ Supports Intel's 11th generation Core processors
  • Limited compatibility with older generation processors
  • Some features may be unnecessary for casual users

ROG Maximus XIII Hero looks sleek and professional with its monochrome theme. It's got a few extra features compared to its previous lineup, like a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 front panel header and an audio stack with an ALC4082 codec and ESS DAC. That means you're gonna get some high-quality audio experience with this model.

It's part of ASUS' high-end Maximus lineup, so you know you're getting top-notch features and speedy performance. One of the great features of this motherboard is its robust VRM cooling solution.

It's got a 14+2 phase design with 90A power stages and ProCool II components. That means your CPU is gonna stay cool even during intense gaming sessions or heavy workloads even on mini PC with thunderbolt.

4. MSI MEG Z590

Thermal designed
msi meg z590 motherboard with thunderbolt
  • ✚ Supports Intel Core 11th Gen Processors
  • ✚ Premium cooling
  • ✚ Wi-Fi 6E support
  • ✚ Shield Frozr
  • Consumes too much power
  • Buggy

MSI MEG Z590 motherboard with thunderbolt is a powerhouse, perfect for those looking to build a top-notch gaming or content creation rig. It supports 11th Gen Intel Core processors and comes with an enhanced memory controller, ensuring higher memory speeds and faster storage performance.

Additionally, it is an ideal motherboard for 3D printers, offering seamless connectivity and efficient performance.

One more useful feature is its VRM mirror power arrangement - 16+2+1 phases powered by a 90A Smart Power Stage and Titanium Choke III. This means you get a stable platform for high-end components, even during extreme overclocking. Dual 8-pin power connectors provide ample support for heavy graphics cards, and the exclusive Core Boost technology delivers maximum overclocking headroom and reliability.

5. ASUS TUF Gaming Z590

Budget-friendly
asus tuf gaming z590 motherboard with thunderbolt
  • ✚ High-performance chipset
  • ✚ Extensive connectivity with USB ports and Gigabit Ethernet
  • ✚ Stable power delivery during CPU overclocking
  • ✚ AI-based optimization features
  • Two vertical SATA ports may not be preferred by cable management enthusiasts
  • Not very powerful

ASUS TUF Gaming Z590 motherboard is a budget-friendly option designed to leverage the power of Intel 11th Gen processors, which means you're getting top-notch performance. It can handle high memory capacity and has multiple PCIe 2.0 connections, giving you plenty of room for expansion.

The Z590 chipset, which is the heart of the motherboard, supports the latest Intel processors and can handle up to 2666 MHz in dual-channel mode.

It can also support multi-GPU setups, which is a big plus for gamers looking to boost their performance. This budget motherboard uses two fans that blow air downward, helping to keep the temperature in check. Additionally, it features Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, offering lightning-fast data transfer speeds and compatibility with a wide range of devices.

6. ASUS ProArt B550-Creator

For content creators
asus proart b550-creator motherboard with thunderbolt
  • ✚ High-speed connectivity options
  • ✚ Powerful hardware and software tools
  • ✚ Reliable stability
  • ✚ Support for AMD Ryzen processors
  • Limited expansion options
  • Limited audio options

ASUS ProArt B550-Creator is a motherboard under $200 that has a comprehensive cooling system. It's equipped with efficient cooling solutions that keep your CPU running cool even under heavy loads. This motherboard with thunderbolt is particularly important for content creators who often engage in tasks like video editing, batch conversion, and long rendering sessions.

You don't want your CPU overheating and slowing you down, and this motherboard ensures that doesn't happen. The ProArt B550-Creator is actually the first motherboard based on AMD's AM4 platform to feature support for Intel's Thunderbolt 4 connector. This is a pretty cool and unique feature that sets this motherboard from other models in its class.

IMAGE NAME FEATURES
asus proart z790 motherboard with thunderbolt
ASUS ProArt Z790
OUR CHOICE
  • Chipset: Intel Z790
  • Memory: 128GB DDR5
  • Expansion slots: Dual PCIe 5.0 slots
  • Video ports: Dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports
CHECK PRICE
gigabyte z590 aorus xtreme motherboard with thunderbolt
GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS Xtreme
HIGH-END QUALITY
  • Chipset: Intel Z590
  • Memory: 128GB of DDR4
  • Expansion slots: M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0)
  • Video ports: Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports
CHECK PRICE
rog maximus xiii hero motherboard with thunderbolt
ROG Maximus XIII Hero
FOR GAMING
  • Chipset: Intel Z590
  • Memory: 128GB of DDR4
  • Expansion slots: Four M.2 slots (one PCIe 4.0 x4, three PCIe 3.0 x4)
  • Video ports: Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Best Motherboard with Thunderbolt?

Choosing the best motherboard with Thunderbolt, first things first, determine your requirements. Think about how you plan to use your computer system, including thunderbolt monitors and thunderbolt external hard drives. Are you a gamer or someone who runs resource-intensive applications?

This will help you narrow down your options and find a motherboard that suits your needs. These are some important specs and characteristics to look out for.

motherboard with thunderbolt expansion slots

PCIe Slots (Expansion Slots) – PCI Express 4.0. recommended. A PCIe slot is meant for upgrading your computer with more features by dint of add-ons. Remember that ATX boards have more PCIe expansion slots in contrast to other models. If you get a motherboard with numerous PCIe x16, you can connect different GPUs via SLI by Nvidia and Crossfire by AMD.

One key feature is PCI Express 4.0. This is the latest version of the high-speed expansion bus that connects to GPUs, SSDs, and other peripheral devices. It offers increased performance and compatibility with older cards.

Processor - Intel. The Intel Core X-series processor is a high-end desktop platform designed for demanding applications like gaming and content creation. It supports Thunderbolt 3 and 4, and offers great performance for overclocking. It also has a wide range of ports and memory options. 

motherboard with thunderbolt memory

Memory – at least 4 DDR4 DIMM slots. DIMM slots are necessary for connecting RAM. The larger the number of slots, the more RAM you can add. In general, motherboards have from 2 to 8 DIMM slots.

Think about whether you’ll increase the amount of RAM in the future and choose the board accordingly. Make sure the motherboard you choose has at least four DDR4 DIMM slots. This will allow you to expand the system's RAM as needed and upgrade it in the future. This is particularly important for gamers as it helps maximize performance.

Budget. Consider your budget and computer use when choosing a motherboard. If you're building a gaming machine or using Thunderbolt tablets and Thunderbolt external hard drives, you might need to invest in a more expensive model with the latest CPU and a variety of ports. On the other hand, if you're building a workstation, a cheaper model might suffice.

F.A.Q.

  • • What is thunderbolt?

It's a technology that combines data transfer and video display on the same cable. It also supports audio and can even carry the power needed to run a high-resolution display. It's designed to replace multiple cables and connectors, reducing clutter on your desk or in your bag. Plus, it's faster than traditional USB ports, making it great for working with large files like photos and videos.

  • • Should I really spend money on thunderbolt?

This technology is rather costly. Though more and more computers are equipped with this type of interface, it is rather of a niche type. A thunderbolt-equipped drive costs several times more than a USB 3-equipped drive, but the investment may pay off depending on how you are going to use it.

  • • Do AMD motherboards support thunderbolt?

Yes. But currently, there are only few motherboards that support both Thunderbolt 3 standard and AMD CPU. These are the ASRock Phantom Gaming ITX TB3 for Ryzen and the Gigabyte Designare TRX40 for the Threadripper platform.

  • • What is the difference between USB C and thunderbolt?

The USB-C connection has proven to be extremely popular, and it was actually adopted as physical hardware by thunderbolt. Thus, you can use any thunderbolt 3 cable as a USB-C cable, and plug a USB-C cable in any thunderbolt port.

  • • How can you tell if your laptop has thunderbolt ports?

Most modern laptops feature both regular USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports. To identify a thunderbolt-enabled port, look for the logo of a lightning bolt with a downward-facing arrow next to it. You can also check your device's specifications to be sure. If your laptop doesn't have thunderbolt ports, don't worry.

You can buy a thunderbolt dock, an expansion card, or even a thunderbolt 3 cable adapter to add them.

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