Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps) Extension Cable (male/female)?

Where to purchase Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps) Extension Cable (male/female)? About 1 m or so length. Thanks.

iMac with Retina 5K display, macOS Sierra (10.12.6), Booting from internal Apple SSD 2TB

Posted on Mar 19, 2018 11:11 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 21, 2018 10:51 AM

Thanks, but I need "TRUE Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps) supporting also USB 3.1 Generation 2 (10 Gbps) as iMac (2017) supports", as said above. That means a true full Thunderbolt 3 cable or adapter. All such devices need Intel certification (Intel charges 33,000 dollars to manufacturers just for such certification!) and they have the Thunderbolt 3 logo.


The one that you indicate at Amazon as "UGREEN USB C Extension Cable Type C Extender Cord Male to Female Compatible with Thunderbolt 3" is not Thunderbolt 3. It is USB 3 generation 1 with USB-C port, and it supports only 5 Gbps. It says "Compatible with Thunderbolt 3", meaning that you can plug it into the Thunderbolt 3 port, but it is not Thunderbolt 3. The fact that both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 Generation 2 use USB-C port is generating a lot of confusion, and this is an example of it.

13 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 21, 2018 10:51 AM in response to Phil0124

Thanks, but I need "TRUE Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps) supporting also USB 3.1 Generation 2 (10 Gbps) as iMac (2017) supports", as said above. That means a true full Thunderbolt 3 cable or adapter. All such devices need Intel certification (Intel charges 33,000 dollars to manufacturers just for such certification!) and they have the Thunderbolt 3 logo.


The one that you indicate at Amazon as "UGREEN USB C Extension Cable Type C Extender Cord Male to Female Compatible with Thunderbolt 3" is not Thunderbolt 3. It is USB 3 generation 1 with USB-C port, and it supports only 5 Gbps. It says "Compatible with Thunderbolt 3", meaning that you can plug it into the Thunderbolt 3 port, but it is not Thunderbolt 3. The fact that both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 Generation 2 use USB-C port is generating a lot of confusion, and this is an example of it.

Mar 20, 2018 11:55 AM in response to dialabrain

Who makes them? I just need a short one. Half a meter or less will be fine. It must be TRUE Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps) supporting also USB 3.1 Generation 2 (10 Gbps) as iMac (2017) supports:


Either a cable or adapter (1 male --> 1 femakle)


Thunderbolt 3 MALE ============<this is a cable or adapter>============ Thunderbolt 3 FEMALE


or a duplicator (1 male --> 2 female)


/============<this is a cable or duplicator>============ Thunderbolt 3 FEMALE

Thunderbolt 3 MALE /

\============<this is a cable or duplicator>============ Thunderbolt 3 FEMALE

Mar 20, 2018 11:30 PM in response to Phil0124

Note that is says "Designed for extending the connection between USB-C devices". Nowhere do they say it can be used with Thunderolt-3 devices.


They do mention Thunderbolt-3, but that's just because it can extend USB-C devices plugged into a Thunderbolt-3 port. It is 18" long. At that length, Thunderbolt-3 and UB-C cables are the same, but this in an extension cable, so the total length will be more than 18". Thunderbolt-3 cables longer than 18" have special circuitry in their connectors to drive 40 Gbits over the extra length. Those connectors are not USB-C compatible, so they are not in this extension cable.


The connectors will fit Thunderbolt-3, and the pins will connect all the wires, but the extension plus original device cable combination does not meet Thunderbolt-3 specs.


The Thunderbolt signals will be weak and distorted, but might work with some devices.

Mar 21, 2018 8:20 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

The title for it specifically states Thunderbolt 3 compatibility. "Compatible with Thunderbolt 3" and the description mentions video support on Thunderbolt 3. Not sure what more you need.


Its a Thunderbolt 3 extender, male on one side, female on the other.


So it says Thunderbolt 3, it it supports thunderbolt 3, but is not Thunderbolt 3? I'm confused.


How can you be so sure it will not support it?

Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps) Extension Cable (male/female)?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.