ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 Compatibility with AORUS B650M: Troubleshooting

ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 and Gigabyte AORUS ELITE AX ICE B650M Compatibility Issues Due to Thunderbolt Connector Differences

ASUS uses a 14-pin Thunderbolt connector, while Gigabyte AORUS utilizes a 5-pin connector. This is a standard situation as different motherboard manufacturers use various connectors for Thunderbolt interfaces.

Table of Contents

• Connector Compatibility Problem
• Existing Adapters and Their Effectiveness
• ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 Operation Without Thunderbolt Connection
• Alternative Solutions
• Optimization Recommendations

Connector Compatibility Problem

The main issue lies in the physical and electrical differences between the connectors. As you correctly noted, the AORUS ELITE AX ICE B650M motherboard has a 14-pin-like connector, but this is an ESPI connector (Embedded Systems Power Interface), not a Thunderbolt connector.

The ESPI connector is designed to manage low-voltage components on the motherboard, while the Thunderbolt connector provides high-speed data transfer and power. Attempting to connect these connectors directly will result in:

• No recognition of Thunderbolt devices
• Loss of high-speed data transfer
• Potential equipment damage

As noted in research, ASUS supports Thunderbolt 3 on AMD using the ThunderboltEX 3-TR expansion card, but this doesn’t resolve the physical connector incompatibility issue.

Existing Adapters and Their Effectiveness

Chinese marketplaces do offer adapters for converting Thunderbolt connectors, but their effectiveness is questionable:

1. 5-pin to 14-pin adapters

   • Typically have non-standard pinouts
   • May only support basic Thunderbolt functions
   • Often work only with specific Thunderbolt generations (Thunderbolt 3 or 4)

2. Compatibility issues

   • Lack of official pinout documentation
   • Risk of equipment damage from incorrect connections
   • Limited functionality (e.g., only data transfer without power)

3. Recommendations for using adapters

   • Purchase only from verified sellers
   • Study reviews from other users
   • Be prepared for possible performance degradation

As experience shows, unofficial adapters often lead to unstable operation and can cause device recognition problems.

ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 Operation Without Thunderbolt Connection

You correctly noted that the card can work without connecting to the AORUS Thunderbolt connector. This is because the ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 contains:

1. Built-in Thunderbolt controller

   • Functions as a separate PCI device
   • Supports basic Thunderbolt functions
   • Doesn’t require connection to the motherboard via a Thunderbolt connector

2. Limited functionality

   • File transfer works at a basic level
   • No high-speed transfer (40 Gbit/s)
   • Loss of daisy-chain functions
   • Limited device charging (usually 15-60W instead of 100W)

3. Performance tests

   • Standard USB transfer: up to 5 Gbit/s
   • Thunderbolt without proper connection: up to 10-20 Gbit/s
   • Full Thunderbolt 4: up to 40 Gbit/s

As mentioned in research, ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 provides 40 Gbit/s speed with DisplayPort 1.4 support and 100W charging, but these capabilities are only realized with proper connection.

Alternative Solutions

1. Using Other Thunderbolt Cards

Consider purchasing a card that supports the Gigabyte 5-pin connector:

• Gigabyte Thunderbolt 3 AIC (for motherboards with Thunderbolt support)
• Cases with built-in Thunderbolt ports
• External Thunderbolt-compatible docks

2. Motherboard Upgrade

If Thunderbolt performance is critical, consider:

• Switching to an ASUS motherboard with Thunderbolt support
• Using a Gigabyte motherboard with the correct 5-pin Thunderbolt connector

3. External Solutions

• External docks with USB-C connectivity
• eGPU solutions via Thunderbolt, such as the Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box

Optimization Recommendations

For Current Configuration

1. Windows/Linux Optimization

   • Install the latest ASUS Thunderbolt drivers
   • Disable unused functions to improve stability
   • Regularly update the motherboard BIOS

2. Performance Configuration

   • Use only one Thunderbolt port for maximum speed
   • Disable daisy-chain functions during frequent reconnections
   • Monitor the card and motherboard temperatures

For Future Purchases

1. Compatibility Checking

   • Before purchasing a Thunderbolt card, verify the correct connector on the motherboard
   • Study the motherboard manufacturer’s documentation
   • Consider Thunderbolt generations (3, 4, 5) and their compatibility

2. Budget Alternatives

   • USB 4.0 cards for basic tasks
   • High-speed external storage drives
   • Multi-functional docks

Sources

1. Thunderbolt (interface) - Wikipedia
2. ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 PCIe Card - PCBoost
3. Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box Review - NotebookCheck
4. Installation USB won’t boot Gigabyte Aorus B650 Elite AX V2 - Manjaro Forum

Conclusion

1. No official adapters exist between 14-pin and 5-pin Thunderbolt connectors, and unofficial solutions are often ineffective.

2. ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 can work without connecting to the AORUS Thunderbolt connector, but with significant performance and functionality reduction.

3. For optimal performance, it’s recommended to either use the card only as a USB device or consider alternative solutions with proper compatibility.

4. With the current configuration, acceptable performance can be achieved for basic file transfer tasks, but professional tasks require full Thunderbolt solutions.

For maximum performance and reliability, evaluate how critical Thunderbolt functions are for your needs, and if necessary, consider alternative solutions with proper hardware compatibility.