How can you determine if a cable is Thunderbolt 3 or 4?

FWIW ... when I have unmarked USB-C cables and I want to know if they support Thunderbolt 3 -5, I use one (or more) of the following methods to find out:

• Use System Information > Hardware > Thunderbolt/USB4 or Thunderbolt/USB5: Connect either a Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5 device to this port, and then, check the details at this System Information location.
• Test the cable:
  • Via software: Use a third-party app, like AJA System Test or Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. Thunderbolt 5 supports data transfer speeds up to 80 Gbps bi-directional (or 120 Gbps in certain asymmetric configurations).
  • Via hardware: Use a dedicated cable tester. Here is one example.
• If the cable supports Thunderbolt 5, it should handle dual 8K monitors with compatible hardware.
• Power delivery: Thunderbolt 5 cables support higher power delivery, up to 240W, compared to the 100W maximum in Thunderbolt 4 cables.

I'd agree - should be correct marking on connectors, particularly on Apple items. I prefer to stick with Apple products for higher-spec applications, but it can sometimes be a challenge. I'm replacing my old iMac with an Apple Studio and Studio Display. I want to keep the Studio box off my desk, so I needed a 1.8m cable to the Display. The only one available from Apple is their Thunderbolt 4 Pro 1.8 metre cable at £129.00; the packaging is marked Thunderbolt 4, but not the connectors. I did consider cheaper 3rd-party Thunderbolt spec cables, but found that most had small print about suitability for carrying video.

The Studio Display has 3 USB-C and 1 Thunderbolt 3 port. It comes with a 1 metre Thunderbolt cable. The Apple website page for the Studio Display only states that the unit ships with a 1m Thunderbolt cable, and no reference to it on the Display packaging. The Apple Studio has 4 TB 4 ports but doesn't come with any cables.

I will be passing this on to Apple direct.

these

forums are user helping other users like yourself, it's sort of going

to a physical apple store and asking other customers there advice

you can let apple know using their feedback channel

Product Feedback - Apple

GoatRodeo2 wrote:

Yep, That’s all well and good but the user should not have to do that. The manufacturer should mark the product.

Let Apple know how you feel about their items for sale, submit Feedback here:  http://www.apple.com/feedback

Contact the corporate office   https://www.apple.com/contact/

GoatRodeo2 wrote:

Of course, if the manufacturers would just get together and commit to marking their cables and then standardize on the same method.... problem solved. 😎

LOL ... hmm, USB 1-5, Thunderbolt 1-5, DSL vs. Cable vs. Fiber vs. Microwave, Intel vs. Silicon vs. AMD, Beta vs. VHS, 8-track vs. cassette, (oops, carbon-dating myself), etc. Progress? Thanks! I needed a good laugh today.

GoatRodeo2 wrote:

How can I tell if a connecting cable is TB 3, 4 or 5?

GoatRodeo2 wrote:

I have a new Apple TB 5 cable and it is NOT marked.

When you buy new in the packaging mark them if not marked an avoid any confusion going forward.