Apple’s M4 Unveils Four Thunderbolt Controllers, Doubling Its Predecessor’s Bandwidth Potential

The 11-inch and 13-inch M4 iPad Pro changes are the addition of Apple's new M4 processor which leverages a new M4 3nm Process from TSMC, representing a major step forward…

By Ishika Setia

June 20, 2024

3 min read

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The 11-inch and 13-inch M4 iPad Pro changes are the addition of Apple’s new M4 processor which leverages a new M4 3nm Process from TSMC, representing a major step forward in semiconductor technology. But Apple has actually updated its new Apple Silicon in some small, subtle, almost imperceptible ways to improve overall data bandwidth and utility. That includes four Thunderbolt controllers, an unprecedented doubling of the number over the M3.

More About the Apple M4

Via @midnight_john1 on X, we get a look at a die-shot comparison that exposes M3 vs. M4; a refutable expose. On the first image of the M3, we see a single block housing probably two Thunderbolt controllers. In comparison, the next image of M4 shows double the number of blocks, four blocks – four controllers. In other words, the M4 would necessarily deliver bandwidth enhancements when using a single port and possibly developed in connection with Apple’s upcoming MacBook Pro line in the next few months.

Now that the M4 is confirmed to have additional Thunderbolt controllers, could this mean boosted features in upcoming MacBook Pro models? Besides quicker information on decorative transmission rates, the additional regulators could mean you may hook up high-resolution monitors and push them at higher refreshing prices by using those vents.

While exactly how Thunderbolt performance may impact actual performance full stop in heavy workloads is less clear, the sheer number of Thunderbolt controllers seems to foreshadow wider capabilities, that could be seen in an A18 Pro to come. Gaming performance with the A17 Pro is illustrated in our gaming demo but beyond that the iPhone 15 Pro in a gaming situation running Resident Evil Village on an external monitor via the USB-C (running with limited 1,560 x 720 resolution and 30FPS).

Apple could support significantly higher resolutions and frame rates on its iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max just by upping the number of Thunderbolt controllers Apple ones to stick in its A18 Pro. We are excited to see the full capabilities of these Thunderbolt controllers in upcoming Mac products.

FAQs

What do the Thunderbolt controllers in Apple’s M4 chip do?

The Thunderbolt controllers manage data transfer and connectivity. With four controllers in the M4 (compared to two in the M3), it doubles the data bandwidth for faster transfers and more device connections.

Will the increased Thunderbolt controllers on the M4 chip improve performance?

The additional Thunderbolt controllers primarily enhance data transfer speeds and support more peripherals or high-resolution displays. However, their direct impact on overall performance depends on other enhancements in the chip, such as CPU and GPU capabilities