Question on USB 3.1 Type-C & Thunderbolt

[BoomR]

I've been away from the forum for a while, but trying to play catch-up. I'm building a new CustoMac for some 4K video/360/VR video editing & production. Many of the relatively-new Z170 boards advertise Thunderbolt 3 support, plus include 1 or 2 USB 3.1 Type-C connections (aka "Thunderbolt 3" ports in some circles). In my case, I've got an ASUS Z170-Pro that has a single USB 3.1 Type-C connection...as well as the TB header on the mobo for connecting the ThunderboltEX-II/II-Dual, or ThunderboltEX 3 cards.

Apologies for the stupid question (or if it's been covered already - but I couldn't find it after a few searches): In order to get TB on my board (with on-board USB 3.1 Type-C/Thunderbolt 3 connection), do I still need to buy the add-on card? Or can I somehow activate (under Windoze) the TB features that come with the USB 3.1 port?

TIA for the assist!
--B

Build in process:
ASUS Z170-Pro
Intel i7 6700K
16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX (2x8) 3600MHz
EVGA GX 740 SC (2GB)

 

[Stork]

See https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/asus-thunderboltex-3-pcie-expansion-card-spotted.198480/

 

[BoomR]

Thanks for sharing that - I'm thinking that the answer to my question is "no" (i.e. without the TB3 card, there is no existing on-board Thunderbolt support for the USB 3.1 Type-C on the mobo). Thanks Stork!

 

[Fl0r!an]

Both options exist: There are mainboards with integrated Thunderbolt and others which have an USB-C connector with "just" USB support. Yours belongs to the 2nd group, so you'll need the TB add-on card.

 

[Stork]

...

Apologies for the stupid question (or if it's been covered already - but I couldn't find it after a few searches): In order to get TB on my board (with on-board USB 3.1 Type-C/Thunderbolt 3 connection), do I still need to buy the add-on card? Or can I somehow activate (under Windoze) the TB features that come with the USB 3.1 port?...

Duh! I'm sorry for not paying better attention to your question.

You will need the add-on card. beelzebozo used the ASUS ThunderboltEXII 3 card on his motherboard, but, IIRC, he had to install Windoze in order to load the Thunderbolt firmware.

 

[BoomR]

Duh! I'm sorry for not paying better attention to your question.

You will need the add-on card. beelzebozo used the ASUS ThunderboltEXII 3 card on his motherboard, but, IIRC, he had to install Windoze in order to load the Thunderbolt firmware.

No worries, brother. In my old feeble brain, I'm thinking: ASUS Z170-Pro has USB 3.1 Type-C + TB header, and also supports TBEX-3 card. So without the card, I should have 1 on-board TB3 port already (think: GA-Z77X UP5 TB but with 1 TB port). If I want another TB port, I need to buy the add-on card. But I also see the possibility that the on-board USB 3.1 Type-C port is just that (USB 3.1) ...UNTIL you add the ThunderboltEX 3 card. THEN you should have TB - both on the card, and now on the mobo.

 

[Fl0r!an]

The on-board port is just USB without TB functionality, with or without add-on card.