I didn't think the XPS 8930 USB-C ports supported Thunderbolt 3 but then I found under the Chipset category, "Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver", K7JJJ 17.2.71.250 A05. which implies it does. Anyone know which one it is for sure?
The external XPS 8930 Setup and Specifications PDF states = Front USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps Rear USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port provides data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps
The internal XPS 8930 training page also states = Front USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps Rear USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port provides data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps
If we go by the generic online speed specification of Thunderbolt 3 as 40 Gbps, then I would say it is not true Thunderbolt 3. But you would have to test the transfer speeds and post the results.
Before installing the K7JJJ driver; Front USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port transfer speed = ? Back USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port transfer speed = ?
After installing the K7JJJ driver; Front USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port transfer speed = ? Back USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port transfer speed = ?
I didn't think the 8930 USB-C ports supported Thunderbolt 3 but then I found under the Chipset category, "Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver", K7JJJ 17.2.71.250 A05. which implies it does. Anyone know which one it is for sure?
Yes, similar references to Thunderbolt showed-up in some recent Alienware Aurora file descriptions.
I think they are talking about the USB-C Port (that actually only has USB-3.1 behind it). Kinda unsettling they would make this mistake (since the Alienware file was for a BIOS update, IIRC).
INTEL choosing the USB C connector confuses people.
In reality there is NO SUCH thing as an ADD IN thunderbolt card for ANY machine from ANY vendor unless they have the Header and controller and chipset on the board.
Dell Precision Tower 5810/7810/7910/1700MT/1700SFF/3620MT and Rack 7910
Thunderbolt Add-In-Cards Setup Guide (WHICH IS NOT USB C its Thunderbolt 2.
This is because for the systems that support it there is an internal GPIO cable as well as EXTERNAL cables and thunderbolt controller chip and licence fee paid to INTEL. This is why most vendors do not have this as there is no standard for the ports and connections and the cards.
On the Precision workstations that support this the CARD goes into a specific SLOT.
The 7HMHP is the Card.
That doesn't cover the GPIO and Display port cables however.
These are NOT optional.
There are 2 Kits I have Identified.
540-BBJC UK version
540-BBIO USA version
Interface cards/adapters Thunderbolt PCIe card for DELL Precision 1700, 5810
There is also no standard for a card in the slots from any vendor to add thunderbolt. There are machine specific propriteary cards that are essentially a bracket and need a cable to go to the thunderbolt header. All systems that use this method have a header that goes to the motherboard that has THUNDERBOLT Controller onboard. Your bios will have a section titled Thunderbolt Security. If you have this and its greyed out it means that there IS NOT a thunderbolt controller on the motherboard.
Thunderbolt add in cards also need display port wrap thru cable.
USB-C is not Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is not USB-C
To easily identify if the USB-C port supports Thunderbolt™ 3, look for the Thunderbolt lightning bolt icon next to the USB-C port.
Thunderbolt Lightning ICON
Dell Thunderbolt Docking Station WD19TB is tested for specific Dell PCs.
Thunderbolt 3 CANNOT BE ADDED it has to be on the motherboard.
There are 2 cables for a Thunderbolt Add in card. All add in cards are vendor and version specific. There is no common standard for the card or the cables required. The "card" is nothing more than power and a bracket.
A GPIO cable to the thunderbolt header and a Display port Wrap thru to the thunderbolt card ARE ALWAYS REQUIRED.
No Idea what part number is for card or GPIO or Display port wrap thru cable.
If Thunderbolt Security is Greyed out in BIOS you CANNOT EVER ADD a card.
The installation guide needs an update because it doesnt even mention the GPIO cable to the thunderbolt header only the outside display port wrap thru.
Follow-up question Re: the USB 3.1 GEN 2 (10 GB/s) ports on XPS 8930.
First I appreciate your T-Bolt answers Chris.
Re: USB Gen 2 Ports on the 8930, I have asked 3 different Dell XPS on-line sales reps and have gotten everything from none of the ports are GEN 2 to 1 of them are GEN 2.
The PDF doc you provided (thanks for that) shows something I have never seen for an 8930 and that is that there are TWO Gen 2 ports on the back; it indicates on page 18 that BOTH the Type C port (#6) and Type A Port (#7) are both GEN 2 at 10GB/s.
Is there someone at Dell who can really, really, really tell me what ports on the 8930 support GEN 2 at 10GB/s??
There are only two Gen 2 ports which support up to 10 Gbps data transfer. Both on the rear.
Front Type-C/USB 3.1 Gen 1 port. Up to 5 Gbps data transfer speed Front (3) USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports. Up to 5 Gbps data transfer speed
Go to page 17 to see the back panel. I will use its numbering...
#2 Rear top (2) black USB 2.0 ports. Up to 480 Mbps data transfer speed #6 Rear middle Type-C/USB 3.1 Gen 2 port. Up to 10 Gbps data transfer speed #7 Rear bottom left USB 3.1 Gen 2 port. Up to 10 Gbps data transfer speed #5 Rear bottom/bottom/right. (3) USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports. Up to 5 Gbps data transfer speed
I just got my 8930, and the only 3.1 gen 2 usb-c port is on the back of the computer is on the top underneath the hdmi port. USB 3.1 gen 2 can get 10 GBps. The one on the front is USB-c Gen 1, which is 5 GBps. If you asked specifically for a thunderbolt 3 networking card, then underneath the gpu, there will be a slot occupied by 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports 40GBps, and a displayport input slot. Thats all of the USB type C ports on the xps 8930 I believe.
An internal cable is used to attach the card to a header on the motherboard
Now I am trying to find out if it works for the new XPS 8940 and its motherboard At the moment it is not in the compatibility list. That may be documentation that has not been updated or ...
When the XPS 8930 was sold, the Thunderbolt card add-on was a purchase option check box same as disk type or optional Blue Ray writer I bought one with the optional Thunderbolt. It came with the card connected to the motherboard with an internal cable.
Today on my XPS 8930 I attached an external NVMe M.2 drive to the Dell Thunderbolt 3 adapter that I bought with the computer. https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/accessories/apd/555-BEOX Works great. Sequential read performance measured at 2800 MB/sec using CrystalDiskMark 7 You need the add-on adapter for Thunderbolt 3 with the XPS 8930 That is what the stuff on the Dell website such as the Thunderbolt driver is for. Not the USB c ports built in to the 8930 The motherboard has Thunderbolt stuff but you need the extra adapter to use that. On Friday I will try a Universal Audio X4 audio interface that is in the mail.
You need the Thunderbolt 3 add-on card. The driver on the Dell web site works with that. I have the Thunderbolt 3 card on my XPS 8930 i9-9900K Disk IO is great. Sequential reads from attached NVMe M.2 are 2800 MB/sec measured with CrystalDiskMark 7 This: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/accessories/apd/555-BEOX
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
Community Manager
•
54.7K Posts
0
April 17th, 2018 06:00
The external XPS 8930 Setup and Specifications PDF states =
Front USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps
Rear USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port provides data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps
The internal XPS 8930 training page also states =
Front USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps
Rear USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port provides data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps
If we go by the generic online speed specification of Thunderbolt 3 as 40 Gbps, then I would say it is not true Thunderbolt 3. But you would have to test the transfer speeds and post the results.
Before installing the K7JJJ driver;
Front USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port transfer speed = ?
Back USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port transfer speed = ?
After installing the K7JJJ driver;
Front USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port transfer speed = ?
Back USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port transfer speed = ?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
•
17K Posts
1
April 17th, 2018 08:00
Yes, similar references to Thunderbolt showed-up in some recent Alienware Aurora file descriptions.
I think they are talking about the USB-C Port (that actually only has USB-3.1 behind it). Kinda unsettling they would make this mistake (since the Alienware file was for a BIOS update, IIRC).
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
June 28th, 2018 15:00
USB C IS NOT THUNDERBOLT
INTEL choosing the USB C connector confuses people.
In reality there is NO SUCH thing as an ADD IN thunderbolt card for ANY machine from ANY vendor unless they have the Header and controller and chipset on the board.
http://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/precision-t5810-workstation_white-papers3_en-us.pdf
This is because for the systems that support it there is an internal GPIO cable as well as EXTERNAL cables and thunderbolt controller chip and licence fee paid to INTEL. This is why most vendors do not have this as there is no standard for the ports and connections and the cards.
On the Precision workstations that support this the CARD goes into a specific SLOT.
The 7HMHP is the Card.
That doesn't cover the GPIO and Display port cables however.
These are NOT optional.
There are 2 Kits I have Identified.
540-BBJC UK version
540-BBIO USA version
Interface cards/adapters Thunderbolt PCIe card for DELL Precision 1700, 5810
GGTXK is the Display port wrap thru cable.
NK4P3 is the GPIO cable to the motherboard.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Dell-7HMHP-GGTXK-NK4P3-540-BBJC-Thunderbolt-PCIe-x1-Card-Full-Height-...
mattspc
34 Posts
0
July 22nd, 2018 18:00
.
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
July 23rd, 2018 07:00
USB C is not thunderbolt and thunderbolt is NOT USB C.
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
December 8th, 2019 08:00
"2 USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports" There is no such thing.
D3100 dock is USB NOT THUNDERBOLT
https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-docking-station-usb-30-d3100/apd/452-bbpg/pc-accessories
Same for D6000 dock
https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/accessories/apd/452-bcyt
There is also no standard for a card in the slots from any vendor to add thunderbolt. There are machine specific propriteary cards that are essentially a bracket and need a cable to go to the thunderbolt header. All systems that use this method have a header that goes to the motherboard that has THUNDERBOLT Controller onboard. Your bios will have a section titled Thunderbolt Security. If you have this and its greyed out it means that there IS NOT a thunderbolt controller on the motherboard.
Thunderbolt add in cards also need display port wrap thru cable.
USB-C is not Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is not USB-C
To easily identify if the USB-C port supports Thunderbolt™ 3, look for the Thunderbolt lightning bolt icon next to the USB-C port.
Dell Thunderbolt Docking Station WD19TB is tested for specific Dell PCs.
The XPS 8930 is not listed as supported model.
Dell Latitude 3390, 3400, 3490, 3590, 5280, 5289, 5290 (2-in-1), 5300 (2-in-1), 5400, 542X, 5480, 549X, 5500, 5580, 559X, 7280, 7285, 7300, 7380, 7389, 7390 (2-in-1), 7400 (2-in-1), 7480, 7490; Precision 3520, 3530, 3540, 5520, 5530 (2 in 1), 7520, 7530, 7720, 7730; XPS 936X, 9370, 9380, 9560, 9575
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
December 10th, 2020 21:00
Thunderbolt 3 CANNOT BE ADDED it has to be on the motherboard.
There are 2 cables for a Thunderbolt Add in card. All add in cards are vendor and version specific. There is no common standard for the card or the cables required. The "card" is nothing more than power and a bracket.
A GPIO cable to the thunderbolt header and a Display port Wrap thru to the thunderbolt card ARE ALWAYS REQUIRED.
No Idea what part number is for card or GPIO or Display port wrap thru cable.
If Thunderbolt Security is Greyed out in BIOS you CANNOT EVER ADD a card.
@DELL-Chris M might have more information
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/thunderbolt-3-pcie-card-2-type-c-ports-1-dp-in/apd/555-beox/networking
The installation guide needs an update because it doesnt even mention the GPIO cable to the thunderbolt header only the outside display port wrap thru.
Link for installation: https://dell.to/2VCElBp
Guide to Thunderbolt 3:https://dell.to/3qrvvV7
For additional support, contact Dell directly at 1-800-624-9896
Thunderbolt 3 is an OPTION with the following systems:
mattspc
34 Posts
0
July 22nd, 2018 11:00
Hey Chris,
Follow-up question Re: the USB 3.1 GEN 2 (10 GB/s) ports on XPS 8930.
First I appreciate your T-Bolt answers Chris.
Re: USB Gen 2 Ports on the 8930, I have asked 3 different Dell XPS on-line sales reps and have gotten everything from none of the ports are GEN 2 to 1 of them are GEN 2.
The PDF doc you provided (thanks for that) shows something I have never seen for an 8930 and that is that there are TWO Gen 2 ports on the back; it indicates on page 18 that BOTH the Type C port (#6) and Type A Port (#7) are both GEN 2 at 10GB/s.
Is there someone at Dell who can really, really, really tell me what ports on the 8930 support GEN 2 at 10GB/s??
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
Community Manager
•
54.7K Posts
0
July 23rd, 2018 10:00
There are only two Gen 2 ports which support up to 10 Gbps data transfer. Both on the rear.
Front Type-C/USB 3.1 Gen 1 port. Up to 5 Gbps data transfer speed
Front (3) USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports. Up to 5 Gbps data transfer speed
Go to page 17 to see the back panel. I will use its numbering...
#2 Rear top (2) black USB 2.0 ports. Up to 480 Mbps data transfer speed
#6 Rear middle Type-C/USB 3.1 Gen 2 port. Up to 10 Gbps data transfer speed
#7 Rear bottom left USB 3.1 Gen 2 port. Up to 10 Gbps data transfer speed
#5 Rear bottom/bottom/right. (3) USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports. Up to 5 Gbps data transfer speed
Drew534
1 Message
1
December 7th, 2019 23:00
Hello
I just got my 8930, and the only 3.1 gen 2 usb-c port is on the back of the computer is on the top underneath the hdmi port. USB 3.1 gen 2 can get 10 GBps. The one on the front is USB-c Gen 1, which is 5 GBps. If you asked specifically for a thunderbolt 3 networking card, then underneath the gpu, there will be a slot occupied by 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports 40GBps, and a displayport input slot. Thats all of the USB type C ports on the xps 8930 I believe.
cdickey
4 Posts
0
December 4th, 2020 21:00
This Dell card
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/accessories/apd/555-BEOX;
An internal cable is used to attach the card to a header on the motherboard
Now I am trying to find out if it works for the new XPS 8940 and its motherboard
At the moment it is not in the compatibility list. That may be documentation that has not been updated or ...
When the XPS 8930 was sold, the Thunderbolt card add-on was a purchase option check box same as disk type or optional Blue Ray writer
I bought one with the optional Thunderbolt. It came with the card connected to the motherboard with an internal cable.
cdickey
4 Posts
0
December 10th, 2020 21:00
Today on my XPS 8930 I attached an external NVMe M.2 drive to the Dell Thunderbolt 3 adapter that I bought with the computer. https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/accessories/apd/555-BEOX
Works great. Sequential read performance measured at 2800 MB/sec using CrystalDiskMark 7
You need the add-on adapter for Thunderbolt 3 with the XPS 8930
That is what the stuff on the Dell website such as the Thunderbolt driver is for.
Not the USB c ports built in to the 8930
The motherboard has Thunderbolt stuff but you need the extra adapter to use that.
On Friday I will try a Universal Audio X4 audio interface that is in the mail.
cdickey
4 Posts
0
December 10th, 2020 21:00
The XPS 8930 motherboard has an Intel Thunderbolt 3 controller on it.
You need the add-on card to use that capability. I have it.
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/accessories/apd/555-BEOX
cdickey
4 Posts
0
December 10th, 2020 21:00
You need the Thunderbolt 3 add-on card. The driver on the Dell web site works with that.
I have the Thunderbolt 3 card on my XPS 8930 i9-9900K
Disk IO is great. Sequential reads from attached NVMe M.2 are 2800 MB/sec measured with CrystalDiskMark 7
This:
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/accessories/apd/555-BEOX