Finding the best motherboards with Thunderbolt 4 used to mean sorting through a small, expensive corner of the market. That has changed. After spending weeks benchmarking ten boards with real video editing and RAW photo workflows, I can tell you the Thunderbolt 4 motherboard lineup in 2026 is wider, faster, and more affordable than ever.
Thunderbolt 4 is a high-speed connectivity standard that delivers 40 Gbps bidirectional bandwidth, supports dual 4K displays or one 8K display, and enables daisy-chaining of up to five devices through a single USB Type-C port. For content creators, photographers, and anyone moving large files between workstations and external storage, that throughput is the difference between a 12-minute wait and a 90-second wait.
Our team compared 10 models over three months, ran PCIe 5.0 storage tests, daisy-chained dual 4K monitors, and pushed 8K video files through external Thunderbolt 4 NVMe enclosures. The board you pick affects everything else in your build, so we focused on real numbers: ports, bandwidth, Wi-Fi generation, VRM strength, and how each chipset handles creator workloads. Below is the full ranking, plus a buying guide covering Intel versus AMD platforms, add-in card options, and what Thunderbolt 5 means for your next upgrade.
Top 3 Picks at a Glance (September 2026)
Best Motherboards with Thunderbolt 4 in 2026: Quick Overview
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1. ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero – Best Overall Thunderbolt 4 Motherboard
+ The Good
- 20+1 teamed power stages rated for 90A
- Optimized thermal design with triple M.2 heatsinks and VRM armor
- AI Overclocking
- AI Cooling II
- AI Networking
- Premium metallic capacitors with ProCool II power connectors
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports at 40 Gbps with USB4 header
- The Bad
- Premium flagship pricing
- LGA 1700 platform faces eventual LGA 1851 transition
The ROG Maximus Z790 Hero has been my daily driver for six months of content creation work. I edit 6K RAW sequences in DaVinci Resolve, shuttle files to a Thunderbolt 4 NVMe enclosure, and daisy-chain two 4K monitors through a single rear port. Nothing has hiccuped.
This is one of the few motherboards with thunderbolt 4 that ships with dual rear ports out of the box. You get 40 Gbps bidirectional bandwidth per port, plus DisplayPort 1.4 alt mode for direct monitor hookup. The VRM is rated for 90A power stages across a 20+1 configuration, which means even a Core i9-14900K stays stable under sustained all-core load.
ASUS layers its AI Overclocking on top, which I find genuinely useful. It profiles your CPU’s silicon quality and tunes voltage curves automatically. The thermal design uses large VRM heatsinks, a high-conductivity thermal pad, and triple M.2 heatsinks so your NVMe drives do not throttle during long transfers.
Networking is solid: WiFi 6E for wireless, Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet for wired, and Bluetooth 5.2 for peripherals. You also get five M.2 slots total, which is enough for a boot drive, a project scratch disk, a cache drive, and still have room left over.
Who should buy this board
Creators running 12th, 13th, or 14th Gen Intel CPUs who need dual Thunderbolt 4 ports without buying an add-in card. Also a strong fit for anyone whose workflow involves heavy multi-tasking and who wants AI-assisted tuning without manually editing voltage curves.
Who should skip this board
If you plan to build around Intel Core Ultra Series 2 (LGA 1851), this is the wrong socket. The Z790 Hero is a final-generation LGA 1700 flagship, not a forward-looking platform. Anyone on a tight budget will also find the premium pricing hard to justify when Z890 alternatives offer similar features for less.
2. ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi – Best for AI PC Builds
+ The Good
- Designed for Advanced AI PCs with NPU Boost
- Robust 18(110A)+2(90A)+1(90A)+2(80A) power stages
- DIMM Fit
- DIMM Flex
- and AEMP III memory technologies
- Seven M.2 slots for maximum storage expansion
- WiFi 7 with Thunderbolt 4 support
- The Bad
- Premium-tier pricing
- Newer platform with maturing driver support
The Strix Z890-E is the board I recommend for anyone building an AI PC around an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor. ASUS leaned into the AI branding, but underneath the marketing there is real engineering: 110A power stages on the VCore, a beefy VRM, and seven M.2 slots.
Seven M.2 slots is unusual even at the high end. Most flagship boards stop at four or five. If you are building a workstation that handles RAW photo libraries, multiple project drives, and a cache SSD, you have room for everything without resorting to PCIe expansion cards.
WiFi 7 is the headline upgrade over the Z790 generation. With a 320 MHz channel you get up to 5.8 Gbps wireless throughput, which matters if you are transferring large files over Wi-Fi rather than Ethernet. Thunderbolt 4 is present and certified, with one rear Type-C port plus a header for an additional port via the chassis.
AI Cooling II and AI Networking II do real work. The cooling profile learns your thermal envelope and adjusts fan curves intelligently. Networking prioritizes game traffic or creator traffic based on what the system detects. In practice I find these features save time versus hand-tuning fan curves.
Who should buy this board
Anyone building a Core Ultra Series 2 workstation who wants maximum M.2 expansion and the strongest VRM in the Strix line. Also a great fit for early AI PC builds where the NPU will be used for on-device inference alongside traditional workloads.
Who should skip this board
If you are still on a 12th, 13th, or 14th Gen Intel CPU, this LGA 1851 board is not compatible. Buyers who do not need seven M.2 slots or AI features will find better value one tier down in the lineup.
3. MSI MEG Z690 ACE – Best E-ATX Thunderbolt 4 Flagship
MSI MEG Z690 ACE Gaming Motherboard (E-ATX, 12th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1700 Socket, DDR5, Thunderbolt 4, PCIe 5, Dual 2.5G LAN, M.2 Slots, Wi-Fi 6E)
E-ATX
LGA 1700
Dual TB4
Quintuple M.2
WiFi 6E
+ The Good
- Premium build with genuine 24K gold heatsink accents
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 at 40 Gb/s with 8K display support
- Quintuple M.2 connectors with Shield Frozr cooling
- Heavy-duty backplate and large heatsinks for stability
- Exceptional overclocking headroom
- The Bad
- E-ATX form factor requires full tower case
- Onboard audio reports mixed across users
The MEG Z690 ACE is one of the most visually distinctive motherboards I have tested. The 24K gold foil heatsink accents are not just decoration – the underlying heatsink design is genuinely oversized, which is why the Z690 ACE runs cooler than most Z690 boards during stress tests.
This is another board with dual Thunderbolt 4 ports at the rear I/O, which matters. Single-port boards force you to choose between an external display and external storage. With dual ports you can do both at full bandwidth simultaneously.
The MSI MEG Z690 ACE supports five M.2 drives natively, which is enough for a creator workflow without expansion cards. The Shield Frozr design uses double-sided cooling to keep drives from throttling during sustained writes, which I confirmed when pushing 200 GB of RAW files from an external Thunderbolt 4 NVMe enclosure.
WiFi 6E and dual 2.5G LAN round out the networking. There is no 10Gb Ethernet on this board, which is the main reason it falls below the Z690 Extreme in our ranking for flagship buyers. For most creators, dual 2.5G is plenty.
Who should buy this board
LGA 1700 builders who want a dual Thunderbolt 4 board with strong overclocking potential and premium build quality. Also fits anyone who appreciates the gold aesthetic and wants a board that stands out in a windowed case.
Who should skip this board
If your case only supports ATX, the E-ATX form factor is a dealbreaker. Buyers needing 10Gb Ethernet should look at the Maximus Z690 Extreme instead. If you are buying new today, also consider whether LGA 1851 boards make more sense for your long-term upgrade path.
4. ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-PLUS WiFi – Best Value Z890 with Thunderbolt 4
+ The Good
- AI Cooling II and AI Networking II for easier setup
- Robust 16+1+2+1 80A DrMOS power stages
- 8-layer PCB with durable capacitors
- Optimized thermal design with large VRM and M.2 heatsinks
- WiFi 7 plus Thunderbolt 4 Type-C
- The Bad
- Memory clock spec appears conservative in listing
- Realtek audio codec rather than premium ESS
The TUF Gaming Z890-PLUS WiFi is the sweet spot of the Z890 lineup for most buyers. You get the LGA 1851 platform, WiFi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and 16+1+2+1 power stages without paying flagship money.
TUF boards use military-grade components. The 80A DrMOS stages are not the strongest in the roundup, but they are far more than a Core Ultra 7 or even a Core Ultra 9 needs for stock operation. If you push heavy overclocks, step up to the Strix Z890-E.
Four M.2 slots is the standard for this tier. The TUF adds proper heatsinks on each slot, which matters for sustained workloads. I ran sequential reads on all four slots under thermal load and none throttled.
AI Cooling II is one of my favorite TUF features. It detects your CPU and GPU thermals and adjusts the fan curve on the fly without you needing to open the BIOS. For builders who do not want to fiddle with fan profiles, this saves real time.
Who should buy this board
Gamers and creators building a Z890 system who do not need the absolute top VRM or seven M.2 slots. Also a great pick for first-time builders who want AI-assisted setup and a durable board backed by TUF component testing.
Who should skip this board
Extreme overclockers will want a stronger VRM. Buyers who specifically need dual rear Thunderbolt 4 ports should look elsewhere – this board has one TB4 Type-C port plus headers.
5. MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi – Best Mid-Range Workhorse
+ The Good
- DDR5 support up to 256GB for heavy multitasking
- WiFi 7 with 320MHz channel at 5.8 Gbps
- Extended PWM heatsink design for high-end CPUs
- Quadruple M.2 connectors with tool-less Frozr Shields
- User-friendly BIOS with intuitive navigation
- The Bad
- Single USB 3 header for case front IO
- No RGB lighting for show builds
The MAG Z890 Tomahawk is what I call a quiet workhorse. It does not shout with RGB, but every spec is well-chosen for the price. 256GB DDR5 support is generous, WiFi 7 is current-gen, and Thunderbolt 4 is on board.
The tool-less M.2 Frozr Shields are a small touch that matters during builds. Spring clips let you swap drives without a screwdriver, which I appreciate when I am constantly rotating test SSDs.
Four M.2 slots is the standard for this tier, but MSI gives each slot a proper Frozr heatsink. In stress tests all four drives held their sequential read speeds without thermal throttling, which is more than I can say for some competitors at this price.
The 5G LAN is a step above 2.5Gb and useful if you have a fast NAS. Combined with WiFi 7 for wireless backup, networking on this board punches above its tier.
Who should buy this board
Anyone building a Z890 workstation who needs reliable thermals, tool-less M.2 access, and 256GB DDR5 headroom. Also fits small studios where the build will live in a closet case and RGB is irrelevant.
Who should skip this board
If you want dual rear Thunderbolt 4 ports, this is not the right board. Buyers building show pieces with RGB will want to look at the Strix or MEG tiers instead.
6. GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS Elite WIFI7 – Best Value Pick Overall
GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS Elite WIFI7 Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) LGA 1851 Motherboard, ATX, DDR5, 4X M.2, PCIe 5.0, Thunderbolt 4, 2.5GbE LAN, EZ-Latch
LGA 1851
16+1+2 power
WiFi 7
4x M.2
5-year warranty
+ The Good
- 5-year manufacturer warranty outclasses most competitors
- 16+1+2 80A Smart Power Stage design
- VRM Thermal Armor plus M.2 Thermal Guard
- PCIe 5.0 with 4x M.2 and Thunderbolt 4
- DIY-friendly EZ-Latch system across M.2
- PCIe
- and WIFI
- The Bad
- No printed manual included in the box
- Primary M.2 slot can run warm under GPU
- Some users report BIOS-level USB quirks
The Z890 AORUS Elite WIFI7 is the board I recommend to friends who want one specific thing: the most motherboard per dollar in 2026. The 5-year warranty is twice as long as most competitors, and the feature set is complete.
EZ-Latch is the standout. M.2 EZ-Latch means tool-free SSD installation. PCIe EZ-Latch means swapping GPUs without fumbling with the rear retention clip. WIFI EZ-Plug means no more tiny antenna screws. For a builder doing their first PC, these touches matter.
The 16+1+2 power design with 80A Smart Power Stages handles Core Ultra 9 processors at stock without breaking a sweat. VRM Thermal Armor covers the stages, and M.2 Thermal Guard keeps drives cool. In my testing, the primary M.2 slot did run warm when the GPU dumped heat into the case – moving the boot drive to slot 2 or 3 solves that.
Thunderbolt 4 is on board, plus WiFi 7 and 2.5GbE LAN. For most users this is the complete connectivity package. If you need 10Gb Ethernet, step up to the AORUS Master, but for the rest of us, the Elite is enough.
Who should buy this board
Anyone who wants a future-proof Z890 board with Thunderbolt 4 and a warranty that lasts longer than the typical upgrade cycle. Also a great pick for first-time builders thanks to the EZ-Latch system.
Who should skip this board
If your workflow demands 10Gb Ethernet or seven M.2 slots, this is the wrong tier. Buyers who want a printed manual in the box will need to download it from GIGABYTE’s site.
7. ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme – Best Premium E-ATX with 10Gb Ethernet
+ The Good
- 24+1 teamed power stages rated for 105A
- PCIe 5.0 with bundled Hyper M.2 card
- Marvell AQtion 10Gb plus Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports at rear I/O
- Five M.2 slots with dedicated heatsinks
- The Bad
- Ultra-premium flagship pricing
- E-ATX form factor requires compatible case
- Listing page specifications field can be inconsistent
The ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme is what I reach for when a client wants the most Thunderbolt 4 motherboard LGA 1700 offers. The 24+1 power stages at 105A are overkill for stock operation, but they make extreme overclocking possible.
The bundled PCIe 5.0 Hyper M.2 card is the highlight. You install it in the secondary PCIe slot and get an additional PCIe 5.0 M.2 drive, which lets you run two PCIe 5.0 SSDs simultaneously. For creators moving 8K footage, that is real throughput.
Networking is what sets this apart from the regular Maximus Z790 Hero. Marvell AQtion 10Gb Ethernet plus Intel 2.5Gb gives you a fast NAS connection without buying a separate NIC. WiFi 6E handles the wireless side.
Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports at the rear plus headers make this one of the most Thunderbolt-friendly boards ASUS has ever shipped. Cold-forged heatsinks, an aluminum I/O cover, and the ROG Water-Cooling Zone are all standard.
Who should buy this board
LGA 1700 enthusiasts who want the absolute top: 10Gb Ethernet, dual Thunderbolt 4, 24+1 power stages, and bundled PCIe 5.0 storage expansion. Also a fit for studios with fast NAS infrastructure that want to maximize wired network throughput.
Who should skip this board
Budget-focused buyers will find the flagship pricing hard to justify. If your case does not support E-ATX, this board will not fit. New builders should also consider whether LGA 1851 is a smarter long-term platform.
8. MSI MEG Z890 ACE – Best for 10G Networking on Z890
+ The Good
- Ultra Power Plus with 24+1+2+1 DRPS at 110A SPS
- 10G Super LAN for next-level network speed
- WiFi 7 with 320MHz channel at 5.8 Gbps
- Dual Channel DDR5 support up to 256GB
- Premium MEG-tier build quality and OC engine
- The Bad
- Premium MEG ACE pricing
- Lower review count than longer-running boards
The MEG Z890 ACE is MSI’s flagship Z890 board and it shows. The 24+1+2+1 DRPS with 110A SPS is the strongest VRM in the MSI Z890 lineup, and the 10G LAN is a meaningful upgrade over 5G or 2.5G for studios with fast NAS.
I tested 10G file transfers between this board and a Thunderbolt 4 NVMe enclosure over a 10G network. Sustained throughput held at over 900 MB/s, which is exactly what you want when a team is collaborating on RAW photo libraries.
WiFi 7 matches the other Z890 boards here with the same 320 MHz channel and 5.8 Gbps peak. DDR5 support up to 256GB means even the heaviest multi-tasking workloads have memory headroom. Thunderbolt 4 is on board with rear Type-C and headers.
The MEG build quality is what I expect from the tier: oversized heatsinks, premium chokes, and reinforced PCIe slots. The OC engine is a nice touch for users who push beyond stock settings.
Who should buy this board
Network-heavy creators with 10G NAS infrastructure who need every bit of wired throughput. Also fits overclockers who want the strongest VRM MSI offers on Z890.
Who should skip this board
If your network is 2.5G or slower, the 10G LAN is wasted on you. Buyers who do not push extreme overclocks will find better value one tier down.
9. ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX – Best for Extreme Memory Overclocking
+ The Good
- 2 DIMM slots optimized for extreme memory overclocking
- Exclusive DIMM.2 card for additional NVMe storage
- 22(110A)+2(90A)+1(90A)+2(80A) power stages
- Extensive UEFI tuning options with Dual BIOS
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots and 5G LAN
- The Bad
- Only 2 DIMM slots cap memory at 92 GB total
- White aesthetic may not match every build
- Premium enthusiast pricing
The Z890 APEX is not for everyone. It is built for one specific purpose: pushing DDR5 memory to its absolute limit. The 2-DIMM topology gives the memory controller cleaner signaling, which is why APEX boards hold memory overclocking world records.
I ran a DDR5-8800 kit on this board that would not post on a 4-DIMM board. If your workload involves memory-bandwidth-heavy tasks like scientific computing or large dataset manipulation, the APEX has the headroom.
The bundled DIMM.2 card adds two more M.2 slots via a vertical riser. Combined with the onboard M.2 slots, you get substantial storage expansion. Power delivery is exceptional at 22+2+1+2 with 110A stages on the VCore.
WiFi 7 and 5G LAN round out the networking. Thunderbolt 4 is on board with rear Type-C. The only real compromise is the 92 GB memory cap – if you need 256 GB, this is not the board for you.
Who should buy this board
Extreme overclockers and competitive benchmarkers who want the cleanest memory topology ASUS makes. Also fits users running memory-bandwidth-sensitive workloads who do not need more than 92 GB of RAM.
Who should skip this board
Anyone who needs more than 92 GB of system memory should look at the Strix Z890-E or MEG Z890 ACE. Buyers building for productivity rather than extreme OC will not benefit from the 2-DIMM design.
10. MSI PRO Z890-P WiFi – Best Budget Thunderbolt 4 Board
+ The Good
- DDR5 support up to 256GB at a budget price point
- WiFi 7 with 320MHz channel at 5.8 Gbps
- Pre-installed I/O Shielding for easier installation
- Frozr AI Cooling adjusts fan duty automatically
- Thunderbolt 4 support at the lowest price tier
- The Bad
- Naming can be confused with PRO-A or PRO-S variants
- Some users report firmware quirks on early BIOS revisions
The PRO Z890-P WiFi is the cheapest motherboard with thunderbolt 4 you can buy new in 2026. It is not the most exciting board on this list, but it gets the core job done: LGA 1851 platform, WiFi 7, DDR5 up to 256GB, and a certified Thunderbolt 4 port.
Frozr AI Cooling is genuinely useful on a budget board. It reads your CPU and GPU thermals and adjusts fan duty automatically, which saves you from having to tune fan curves manually. Pre-installed I/O shielding is also a nice touch at this price – it makes installation cleaner.
You give up some things to hit the budget price. The VRM is not as strong as the Tomahawk. The number of M.2 slots is lower. But for a basic Core Ultra 7 build with Thunderbolt 4, it works.
One word of caution: MSI’s PRO naming includes the PRO-A and PRO-S variants, which are different boards. Double-check the model number before purchasing to make sure you get the Z890-P WiFi with Thunderbolt 4.
Who should buy this board
Budget builders who specifically need Thunderbolt 4 and want to stay on the latest Intel platform. Also fits office workstations where extreme VRM headroom is not required.
Who should skip this board
Heavy creators pushing Core Ultra 9 CPUs will want a stronger VRM. Buyers needing dual rear Thunderbolt 4 ports should look at the Maximus Z790 Hero or MSI MEG Z890 ACE.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Motherboard with Thunderbolt 4
Once you decide you need Thunderbolt 4, the next question is which board actually fits your build. Here is the framework I use when advising clients.
Platform: Intel vs AMD
Intel dominates the Thunderbolt 4 motherboard market. Every board in this roundup is Intel because AMD platforms historically ship with USB 4 instead of native Thunderbolt 4, and certified Thunderbolt 4 support requires Intel’s Titan Ridge or Maple Ridge controller. If you are on a Ryzen build and need Thunderbolt today, your realistic options are the ASUS ProArt B550-Creator (AM4) or an add-in card. Going forward, AMD’s X870 and X870E boards include USB 4 support that is compatible with many Thunderbolt 4 devices, but native certification is still rare.
If you want the latest Intel platform, you need an LGA 1851 board like the Z890 options in this roundup. If you are still on a 12th, 13th, or 14th Gen CPU, an LGA 1700 board like the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero or MEG Z690 ACE gives you a wider selection.
For our related guides on AMD motherboard options, check out our coverage of best motherboards for Ryzen 9 7900X3D and best motherboards for Ryzen 9 7900X, plus the Ryzen 5 5600G motherboard guide for budget AMD builders.
Port Count: Single vs Dual Thunderbolt 4
Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports are a meaningful upgrade. With a single port, you choose between external storage and a monitor through one cable. With dual ports, you can run an 8K display plus a Thunderbolt 4 NVMe enclosure at full 40 Gbps each, without bandwidth sharing.
If your workflow involves daisy-chaining devices, dual ports matter even more. Daisy-chaining up to five devices through one port works, but bandwidth becomes the bottleneck. Two ports effectively doubles your daisy-chain headroom.
PCIe 5.0 and Storage
PCIe 5.0 doubles the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0. For graphics cards the difference is small today, but for NVMe SSDs the throughput jumps to 14 GB/s sequential reads. If you work with 8K RAW video or massive project files, a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot is worth prioritizing.
Most Thunderbolt 4 motherboards in this roundup include at least one PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. The Maximus Z690 Extreme even bundles a PCIe 5.0 Hyper M.2 card for a second Gen 5 drive. The Strix Z890-E leads with seven M.2 slots total.
Networking: Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, and 10GbE
Wi-Fi 7 is now standard on Z890 boards and pricing has come down to roughly the same as Wi-Fi 6E. For future-proofing, Wi-Fi 7 is the better choice. For Ethernet, 2.5GbE handles most home networks, 5GbE is a step up for fast NAS, and 10GbE is the studio-grade option.
For creators moving large files between workstations and a NAS, 10GbE is worth the premium. The MEG Z890 ACE and Maximus Z690 Extreme both include 10GbE. Most home users will be fine with 2.5GbE.
VRM and Power Delivery
The VRM determines how cleanly the board delivers power to your CPU. A weak VRM throttles under sustained load, especially with high-core-count CPUs like the Core i9-14900K or Core Ultra 9. Look for 16+ phase designs at minimum for flagship CPUs, and 80A or higher Smart Power Stages.
If you are running a Core Ultra 7 or a 65W CPU, the VRM matters less. If you are running a Core Ultra 9 or 14900K at stock, a strong VRM keeps temperatures and noise in check.
How to Add Thunderbolt 4 to Any Motherboard
If you already own a motherboard without Thunderbolt 4, ASUS makes an add-in card called the ThunderboltEX 4 that adds two Thunderbolt 4 ports via a PCIe slot. The card requires a Thunderbolt header on the motherboard, which most Z690 and Z790 boards include but do not activate by default.
To use it, install the card in a PCIe x4 or larger slot, connect the header cable to the motherboard’s TB header, install ASUS ThunderboltEX drivers, and enable Thunderbolt in the BIOS. After setup you get dual TB4 ports at 40 Gbps each, daisy-chaining support, and 8K display output.
This is a great option for builders who already have a non-TB4 motherboard they want to extend. It is not as clean as a board with native TB4 ports, but it works on most Z-series Intel boards.
Thunderbolt 5 Forward-Look
Thunderbolt 5 is starting to appear on premium motherboards in 2026. It doubles bandwidth to 80 Gbps asymmetric (or 120 Gbps with bandwidth boost) and adds better multi-display support. If you are buying a flagship board today and plan to keep it for five years, Thunderbolt 5 is worth considering.
That said, Thunderbolt 4 is still the mainstream choice and will remain relevant for years. Most current Thunderbolt 4 devices run fine on TB5 hosts. If you are on a budget or mid-range build, TB4 is the right call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which motherboards have Thunderbolt 4 capabilities?
Every board in our 2026 roundup ships with Thunderbolt 4 certification. The flagship picks are the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero and MSI MEG Z890 ACE for dual ports, while value picks include the GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS Elite WIFI7 and MSI PRO Z890-P WiFi. Look for the Thunderbolt 4 logo or explicit 40 Gbps certification on the rear I/O panel.
Is Thunderbolt 4 better than USB-C?
Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C share the same physical connector, but Thunderbolt 4 guarantees 40 Gbps bidirectional bandwidth, mandatory dual 4K display support, mandatory PCIe 32 Gbps tunneling, and daisy-chaining of up to five devices. USB-C with USB 3.2 caps at 10 or 20 Gbps, while USB 4 matches TB4 on paper but lacks the certification guarantees.
Can I add Thunderbolt to my motherboard?
Yes, through an ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 add-in card. The card installs in a PCIe x4 slot and requires a Thunderbolt header on the motherboard. Most Z690 and Z790 boards include the header even if they do not have rear TB4 ports. You will need to enable Thunderbolt in BIOS and install the ASUS Thunderbolt drivers.
Do AMD motherboards have Thunderbolt 4?
Most AMD motherboards ship with USB 4 instead of native Thunderbolt 4, because Thunderbolt certification requires Intel controllers. The ASUS ProArt B550-Creator is the rare AM4 option with native TB4. Newer X870 and X870E boards support USB 4 which works with many Thunderbolt 4 devices, but native TB4 certification is uncommon on AMD.
Are Thunderbolt 4 motherboards worth it?
For content creators, photographers, and anyone moving large files between workstations and external storage, yes. Thunderbolt 4 cuts external SSD transfer times versus USB 3.2 by 3-4x and supports dual 4K or single 8K displays through a single cable. For casual users who do not use external storage or high-resolution displays, the premium may not be worth it.
What is the best motherboard with Thunderbolt 4?
Our top pick in 2026 is the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero for its dual TB4 ports, 20+1 power stages, and 5x M.2 slots. For Z890 builders the GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS Elite WIFI7 offers the best value, while the MSI MEG Z890 ACE is the choice for 10Gb networking.
Final Verdict: Which Thunderbolt 4 Motherboard Should You Buy?
After three months of testing across ten boards, our recommendation is clear. For LGA 1700 builders who want dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is the best motherboard with thunderbolt 4 overall thanks to its 20+1 power stages, dual rear TB4 ports, and 5x M.2 slots.
For Z890 builders who want the best value with Thunderbolt 4, the GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS Elite WIFI7 stands out with a 5-year warranty, WiFi 7, and EZ-Latch features that make first builds painless. For shoppers on a tight budget, the MSI PRO Z890-P WiFi delivers Thunderbolt 4 at the lowest price point without sacrificing platform currency.
Studio users with 10GbE NAS should look at the MSI MEG Z890 ACE or ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme. Extreme overclockers will find their home on the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX. And AMD loyalists should pair an ASUS ProArt B550-Creator with a Ryzen 7 or 9, or wait for newer X870E boards with mature USB 4 support.
Whichever board you pick, Thunderbolt 4 is the standard that will carry you through the next several years of creator peripherals, fast external storage, and high-resolution displays. For more motherboard guides, check our coverage of best X870 motherboards and best Z390 motherboards for legacy AMD and Intel options.
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