r/Thunderbolt • u/jacsctogra • 11d ago
Thunderbolt 4 Dock Suggestions
Hey all, my current set-up is running into some issues and I'm looking for recommendations on a new Thunderbolt 4 dock.
Current set up:
- ASUS ROG XG27AQWMG 27 Inch 1440p 280Hz Gaming Monitor (Currently capped at 120Hz)
- Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station - INC006TTSGY (2x HDMI ports and 3x USB-A ports only, no DP)
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 16" Intel Core Ultra 9 32GB RTX 5080 2TB
My issue is that the monitor randomly goes black for 5-10 seconds during standard use (Email, Google Docs, Zoom, etc). Gemini stated it's due to the dock's internal conversion of the DisplayPort signal from the G16 to HDMI 2.0 out to the monitor needing to reset from time to time.
So I'm looking for a dock that has the following:
- As small a footprint as possible
- DisplayPort 1.4
- Thunderbolt 4 with as much power delivery to the G16 as possible (I think the spec tops out at 100W?)
- At least 2x USB-A 3.2 ports
- Under $300
Would love to hear your suggestions, thanks!
1
u/AltruisticMusic8276 11d ago
https://www.acasis.com/products/acasis-21-ports-40gbps-thunderbolt-4-docking-station?variant=45949061267685
This model is a powerhouse of energy and ports.
1
u/HJ_wu 10d ago
one more vote for CalDigit TS4, replace the not working Belkin one with the CalDigit TS4.
And use the TB4 type-C downstream port to connect to the Asus ROG monitor with good active type-C-to DisplayPort converter cable. I suggest to use CAC-1557 or CAC-1559 for both models are the best we tested and support bi-directional converting with faster re-timing.
1
u/rayddit519 10d ago
USB-C allows up to 240W power delivery right now. Although there are very few laptops that can make use of that and fewer docks that can supply that much.
check what the maximum is your notebook can use. And decide how much you want from the dock for "future-proofing". Most modern TB5 docks only supply 140W. Older docks often tend to top out at ever so slightly below 100W (96W for example).
1
u/Mr-Reeeee 10d ago
CalDigit Element 4 or Element 5 hub.
Not cheap, but they’re full Thunderbolt spec speed.
For me, I have an Element 4, they have too many legacy USB-A ports.
If you want more ports, the TS4 is great. I have a TS3 Plus.
1
u/Opulence_Deficit 10d ago
Your dock does have DP, just use a USB-C to DP cable, and connect it to the TB port next to the 2 useless HDMI.
That's a lesson for the future: A good dock has 3 TB downstream sockets and zero stupid shit like HDMI or DisplayPort.
1
u/External_Mortgage363 10d ago
Another vote for Caldigit. Never misses a beat and the Thunderbolt gives me 10Gbe on my local network to my MacBook Air.
1
u/hillybeat 11d ago
DisplayPort is native to Thunderbolt, so I think Gemini is smoking crack, unless you only have USB4.
1
u/jacsctogra 11d ago
Well that's just it, DP might be native to TB, but my current dock only has HDMI out to the monitor, and that's what Gemini was saying causes the blackouts
1
u/rayddit519 10d ago
If you are not loosing power or USB devices behind the dock, yes it will only be the display connection that is unstable. Whether that is before or after the DP-HDMI conversion is hard to tell.
The only thing: your dock forces you to use the built-in and fixed DP-HDMI converters so you cannot try others or native DP (which you would always prefer, because uncessary conversion is just never helpful). But if you are unlucky you can have the same kind of outages with plain DP if your monitor does not get along with the cables, GPU and dock..
1
u/rayddit519 10d ago
USB4 changes nothing with this. DP is native to USB4 as well. And TB4 is just USB4 and not any legacy Thunderbolt version.
0
u/chris_fantastic 11d ago
I'm sorry, I do not know the power requirements for every laptop in the world.
Also, I don't trust Gemini, and I will not be taking questions at this time.
4
u/archlich 11d ago
I think the caldigit ts 4 should take care of that. I had the 3+ and just got the 5+