Product Overview
The GIGABYTE GC-MAPLE RIDGE is an Intel Thunderbolt 4 certified PCIe add-in card designed to add high-speed Thunderbolt connectivity to compatible GIGABYTE motherboards. Powered by the Intel JHL8540 controller, it provides two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports with bandwidth of up to 40Gbps per port, DisplayPort connectivity and USB Power Delivery 3.0 support.
Key Features
- Thunderbolt 4 Certification: Intel Thunderbolt 4 certified add-in card with an Intel JHL8540 controller.
- Dual USB Type-C Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports supporting data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps.
- DisplayPort 1.4: Supports DisplayPort video input and high-resolution display connectivity, with resolutions up to 8K at 60Hz under supported configurations.
- Power Delivery 3.0: Supports USB Power Delivery, with up to 97W advertised charging capability.
- Daisy-Chaining: Connect up to five Thunderbolt devices per port, for up to ten devices across both ports.
- PCIe Interface: Uses a PCIe 3.0 x4 connection and requires compatible motherboard Thunderbolt headers.
Thunderbolt 4 Connectivity
The two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports provide bidirectional bandwidth of up to 40Gbps per port. They support compatible Thunderbolt devices, docks, storage solutions and displays. Each port can support a daisy-chain of up to five devices.
Display Support
The card includes one DisplayPort output and two Mini DisplayPort input connectors for connecting video signals from a discrete graphics card. It supports DisplayPort 1.4, HDCP 2.2 and HDR. Supported display resolutions depend on the graphics card and connected equipment. Due to hardware limitations, the card supports up to two display outputs at a time.
Power Delivery
USB Power Delivery 3.0 allows compatible devices to receive power through the Thunderbolt 4 connections. GIGABYTE advertises up to 97W Power Delivery support. Actual power delivery depends on the port and connected device.
Compatibility and Installation
The GC-MAPLE RIDGE is designed for compatible GIGABYTE motherboards equipped with the required Thunderbolt header. It connects through a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface and requires the appropriate motherboard header connections and auxiliary PCIe power connections. Check GIGABYTE's official supported motherboard list before purchasing, as compatibility depends on the exact motherboard model and configuration.
Applications
- Adding Thunderbolt 4 connectivity to a compatible desktop PC
- Connecting high-speed external storage devices
- Using Thunderbolt docks and compatible peripherals
- Connecting supported external displays
- Building a workstation with Thunderbolt-enabled accessories
Technical Specifications
| Brand | GIGABYTE |
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| Part Number / MPN | GC-MAPLE RIDGE |
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| Product Type | Thunderbolt 4 PCIe Add-in Card |
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| Controller | Intel JHL8540 |
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| Thunderbolt Certification | Intel Thunderbolt 4 Certified |
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| Host Interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 |
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| Thunderbolt Ports | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C |
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| Maximum Data Rate | Up to 40Gbps per port, bidirectional |
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| DisplayPort Standard | DisplayPort 1.4 |
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| DisplayPort Output | 1 x DisplayPort |
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| DisplayPort Inputs | 2 x Mini DisplayPort |
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| Maximum Display Resolution | Up to 8K at 60Hz, subject to graphics card and configuration |
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| Display Features | HDCP 2.2, HDR |
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| Power Delivery | USB Power Delivery 3.0, up to 97W advertised |
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| Daisy-Chaining | Up to 5 devices per port; 10 devices total |
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| Internal Connectors | 2 x 6-pin PCIe power, 1 x 5-pin Thunderbolt header, 1 x 3-pin Thunderbolt header, 1 x USB 2.0/1.1 header |
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| Motherboard Compatibility | Selected GIGABYTE motherboards with a compatible Thunderbolt header |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the GIGABYTE GC-MAPLE RIDGE do?
It adds two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports to a compatible desktop motherboard, providing high-speed data connectivity, display support and USB Power Delivery.
Is it compatible with every motherboard?
No. It is designed for selected GIGABYTE motherboards with a compatible Thunderbolt header. Check the official motherboard compatibility list before installation.
What is the maximum data transfer speed?
Each Thunderbolt 4 port supports bandwidth of up to 40Gbps.
Does it support 8K displays?
Yes. It supports display resolutions up to 8K at 60Hz under supported configurations. Actual display capability depends on the graphics card, signal connections and connected equipment.
How many devices can be daisy-chained?
Up to five Thunderbolt devices can be daisy-chained from each port, allowing up to ten devices across both ports.
DC Supplies Product Note
Motherboard compatibility is essential for this add-in card. Confirm the exact motherboard model, Thunderbolt header availability and required connections against GIGABYTE's compatibility information before ordering.
