ThunderboltEX II
User Guide
15060-35300000
Welcome!
Congratulations and thank you for buying an ASUS ThunderboltEX II card!
The ASUS ThunderboltEX II card provides Thunderbolt™ connection to other Thunderbolt-
enabled devices. Use this card to quickly transfer native PCIe and DisplayPort protocols
between a PC and Thunderbolt™ devices.
Features
Your ASUS ThunderboltEX II card features a Thunderbolt™ 2 port that supports
Thunderbolt™ 2 technology and a DisplayPort that supports DisplayPort 1.2 specifications.
The Thunderbolt™ 2 port provides 20 Gb/s bi-directional bandwidth and incorporates
DisplayPort 1.2 support enabling transfer and display of 4K video files simultaneously. The
Thunderbolt™ 2 port also allows you to connect up to six Thunderbolt-enabled devices in a
daisy-chain configuration using Thunderbolt™ cables.
Package contents
Check your package for the following items:
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1 x ThunderboltEX II card
1 x DisplayPort cable
1 x mini DisplayPort cable
1 x ASUS TB_Header cable
1 x User guide
1 x Support CD
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
Compatible ASUS motherboard models
The ThunderboltEX II card is compatible with the following ASUS motherboards with TB
Headers that passed Intel® validation:
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MAXIMUS VI EXTREME
SABERTOOTH Z87
Z87-PRO
Z87-PRO (V EDITION)
Z87-PLUS
Z87-PLUS (VivoMouse EDITION)
Z87-A
Z87-A (NFC EXPRESS EDITION)
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ThunderboltEX II specifications summary
Intel® DSL5320 Thunderbolt
™
2 controller
Chipset
1 x Thunderbolt™ 2 port (up to 20 Gb/s bandwidth)
1 x DisplayPort 1.2 IN port
External Connectors
1 x 9-pin TB_Header
Supports Thunderbolt
of 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz
™
2 interface* with maximum resolution
DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport (MST) compliant;
supports up to three displays of DisplayPort 1.2 monitors.**
VGA
*
Use the Thunderbolt™ cable to link Thunderbolt™ monitors and
Thunderbolt-enabled devices in a daisy chain connection.
** Use the mini DisplayPort cable to link up to three DisplayPort 1.2
monitors in a daisy chain connection.
Thunderbolt™ 2 port for 2 channels, 20 Gb/s bidirectional per
channel
Data Rate
1 x DisplayPort cable*
1 x mini DisplayPort cable*
1 x ASUS TB_Header cable**
1 x Support CD***
Accessories
*
Provides link from the motherboard’s DisplayPort or mini DisplayPort to
the DisplayPort 1.2 IN port on the ThunderboltEX II card. Use the bundled
DisplayPort or mini DIsplayPort cable depending on the available
DisplayPort connector on your motherboard.
** Provides link from TB_Header of the motherboard to the
ThunderboltEX II card’s TB header.
*** Contains the Thunderbolt™ 2 driver.
Operating Systems
Supported
Windows® 7 / Windows® 8 / Windows® 8.1
3.35 in. x 3.94 in. (8.5 cm x 10 cm)
Form Factor
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.
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Use only Thunderbolt™ technology-enabled devices that passed Intel®
validation to ensure optimum performance and compatibility with your
ThunderboltEX II card.
Ensure your monitor complies with DisplayPort 1.2 specifications if
you want to connect them in a daisy-chain configuration using the
Thunderbolt™ 2 port.
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ThunderboltEX II card layout
Thunderbolt™ 2 port
DisplayPort IN port
PCIE 2.0 interface
LED indicator
TB_Header
Installing the ThunderboltEX II driver
We highly recommend that you install the Thunderbolt™ 2 driver first before
installing the ThunderboltEX II card.
To install the driver, place the Support DVD into the optical drive then follow on-screen
instructions to finish the installation.
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Installing the ThunderboltEX II card
•
Before installing the ThunderboltEX II card in your motherboard, ensure
that you have an available PCIE 2.0 x16 slot connected to the platform
controller hub (PCH). For more information on the correct PCIE 2.0
slot to use, refer to the section ThunderboltEX II card recommended
configuration of this user guide.
•
The following illustrations are for reference only. The motherboard layout
may vary with models, but the installation steps remain the same.
To install the ThunderboltEX II card:
1.
2.
Shut down your PC.
Open the chassis.
Ensure that no cables or
peripherals are blocking the
PCIE 2.0 slot.
3.
Align and insert the ThunderboltEX
II card into a PCIE 2.0 slot until it is
securely seated in place.
4.
Connect the ASUS TB_Header cable
to the ThunderboltEX II card (A)
and to the TB_Header port on the
motherboard (B).
When the red LED on the
ThunderboltEX II card is on,
it indicates that a cable is
disconnected. Refer to the
section ThunderboltEX II card
layout of this user guide for the
location of the LED indicator.
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5.
Connect the DisplayPort cable to the
ThunderboltEX II card’s DisplayPort IN
port (A) and to the DisplayPort or mini
DisplayPort on the motherboard’s I/O
port (B).
DisplayPort
DisplayPort IN port
Thunderbolt™ 2 connector
6.
7.
8.
Close the chassis.
Turn on the PC.
Connect the Thunderbolt
™
cable from your Thunderbolt-enabled device to the
Thunderbolt™ 2 port on the ThunderboltEX II card.
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The Thunderbolt™ cable is not bundled with the ThunderboltEX II package.
Use the Thunderbolt™ cable that came with your Thunderbolt-enabled
device when connecting to the Thunderbolt™ 2 port on your ThunderboltEX
II card.
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The Thunderbolt™ 2 port of the ThunderboltEX II card is backward
compatible with the previous Thunderbolt™ technology.
For the recommended daisy-chain configurations or connections, refer to
the section Connecting to external devices of this user guide.
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ThunderboltEX II card recommended configuration
PCIE 2.0 mode
PCIE 2.0 port on
the motherboard
(color)
(D = Default;
M = Maximum;
D/M = Default &
Maximum)
Supported
BIOS
version*
Compatible ASUS
motherboard models
Maximum
bandwidth
PCIe 2.0/1.1 x4_1
(Black)
1702
or later
MAXIMUS VI EXTREME
SABERTOOTH Z87
Z87-PRO
D/M: x4 mode
D/M: x4 mode
20 Gb/s
20 Gb/s
20 Gb/s
20 Gb/s
10 Gb/s
10 Gb/s
10 Gb/s
10 Gb/s
PCIe 2.0 x16_3
(Black)
1702
or later
PCIe 2.0 x16_3
(Dark Brown)
D: x1 mode**
M: x4 mode
1702
or later
PCIe 2.0 x16_3
(Dark Brown)
D: x1 mode**
M: x4 mode
1702
or later
Z87-PRO (V EDITION)
Z87-PLUS
PCIe 2.0 x16_3
(Dark Brown)
1702
or later
D/M: x2 mode***
D/M: x2 mode***
D/M: x2 mode***
D/M: x2 mode***
Z87-PLUS (VivoMouse
EDITION)
PCIe 2.0 x16_3
(Dark Brown)
1702
or later
PCIe 2.0 x16_3
(Dark Brown)
1702
or later
Z87-A
Z87-A (NFC EXPRESS
EDITION)
PCIe 2.0 x16_3
(Dark Brown)
1702
or later
*
Update the BIOS of your motherboard and the VGA driver to the latest
version. Go to www.asus.com for more information.
** Set the mode of your motherboard’s PCIe 2.0 x16_3 from x1 to x4 to
maximize the performance of your ThunderboltEX II card. When you
adjust the mode from x1 to x4, the PCIEX1_2, PCIEX1_3, PCIEX1_4,
and SATA6G_E12 are disabled. Refer to the chapter BIOS setup of your
motherboard’s user guide for more information.
*** The maximum bandwidth of the PCIe 2.0 x16_3 slot on these supported
motherboards is up to x2 mode only. The maximum bandwidth in x2 mode
is 10 Gb/s.
If you install an add-on VGA card, ensure to set the BIOS item iGPU Multi
Monitor to Enable. Refer to the chapter BIOS setup of your motherboard’s
user guide for more information.
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Connecting to external devices
Before connecting any Thunderbolt-enabled devices in a daisy-chain
configuration, ensure that it is equipped with one Thunderbolt™ IN port
and one Thunderbolt™ OUT port.
You can refer to the following illustrations for the recommended daisy-chain connections:
Five Thunderbolt™ devices + one native Thunderbolt™ monitor
Six Thunderbolt™ devices
Six Thunderbolt™ devices + three DisplayPort 1.2 displays
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Notices
Federal Communications Commission Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
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This device may not cause harmful interference.
This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
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Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
•
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card
is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modifications to this
unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate this equipment.
IC: Canadian Compliance Statement
Complies with the Canadian ICES-003 Class B specifications. This device complies with RSS
210 of Industry Canada. This Class B device meets all the requirements of the Canadian
interference-causing equipment regulations.
This device complies with Industry Canada license exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Cut appareil numérique de la Classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Cet appareil numérique de la Classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le
matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Cet appareil est conforme aux normes CNR exemptes de licence d’Industrie Canada. Le
fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes :
(1) cet appareil ne doit pas provoquer d’interférences et
(2) cet appareil doit accepter toute interférence, y compris celles susceptibles de provoquer
un fonctionnement non souhaité de l’appareil.
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Canadian Department of Communications Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department
of Communications.
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
VCCI: Japan Compliance Statement
VCCI Class B Statement
KC: Korea Warning Statement
REACH
Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of
Chemicals) regulatory framework, we published the chemical substances in our products at
DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to
enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin
indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in
municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products.
DO NOT throw the mercury-containing button cell battery in municipal waste. This symbol
of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not be placed in municipal
waste.
ASUS Recycling/Takeback Services
ASUS recycling and takeback programs come from our commitment to the highest standards
for protecting our environment. We believe in providing solutions for you to be able to
responsibly recycle our products, batteries, other components as well as the packaging
information in different regions.
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ASUS contact information
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail
Web site
15 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 11259
+886-2-2894-3447
+886-2-2890-7798
Technical Support
Telephone
+86-21-3842-9911
Fax
Online support
+86-21-5866-8722, ext. 9101#
ASUS COMPUTER INTERNATIONAL (America)
Address
Telephone
Fax
800 Corporate Way, Fremont, CA 94539, USA
+1-510-739-3777
+1-510-608-4555
Web site
Technical Support
Telephone
+1-812-284-0883
Support fax
+1-812-282-2787
Online support
ASUS COMPUTER GmbH (Germany and Austria)
Address
Fax
Harkort Str. 21-23, 40880 Ratingen, Germany
+49-2102-959931
Web site
Online contact
Technical Support
Telephone
+49-2102-5789555
Support Fax
+49-2102-959911
Online support
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