USB-C/Thunderbolt Dock Megathread

i have tested it now with the ESSAGER ES-CD37 Series GaN Charger 100W USB A USB C PD Charger and power pass trough works flawless i think it can be added to the list but i don’t know how and if i’m supposed to do it myself

Yes it depends on firmware. But I would expect most people complaining about issues to have tried the newest one. Its not like they come out every week.
But also, the classic problems are that there is a specific monitor, maybe with specific firwmare, maybe with a specific MST hub or adapter (with firmware) and the MST hub and TB controller in the dock on a specific firmware AND a specific GPU driver that causes such issues. Change one element and the problem is often gone. By and large the MST Hub inside the dock has improved and fixed many bugs with its firmware updates. But its so complex that you can probably always find some weird edge case. And GPU drivers play a big role. Because it is often also about the GPU driver understanding the connected topology of devices and then choosing the right settings, including DSC & MST to make all of them work. I had a bunch of issues where monitors would remain dark even though the OS thought they were working fine. All of those issues solved by newer Intel and Nvidia GPU drivers. My monitor has even gotten 3 firmware updates to fix MST+DSC issues. And Linux (I use Fedora when I use it) has just been way behind in fixing those issues for my Intel GPUs. Stuff that works perfectly under Windows still fails under current Fedora (its a complex setup with the MST hub in the WD19TB + MST Hub in one of my monitors again (also with some DSC support). So not a typical dock setup).

I am not sure about the firmware versions, but the MST hub in the HP TB Dock G4 is basically the same as in the Dell WD19/22 family of docks and the same as in multiple Lenovo Docks (USB-C / TB3 Gen 2, half of what is in the TB4 dock). Since the MST Hub is the main part that causes problems with monitors, if they are on same firmware, you can pretty much expect them to behave extremely similar (with respect to the outputs of the MST hub). The TB controllers by comparison had very few updates that I think HP, Lenovo and Dell all would have shipped quickly.

This is what I use. I’m on a 12th-gen Intel FW13 running NixOS 24.05 and didn’t need any drivers or firmware updates. The 2.5Gbit link works great, and I run two monitors by running one off of the thunderbolt passthrough. The lack of a 3.5mm audio port is frustrating, but I get around that with a USB-C adapter. Can highly recommend. The small footprint on the desk is also nice.

I’m currently having an issue with my AMD FW 13 where my Anker 778 will work with one monitor but if I connect both I get no external display at all. I’m also having an issue now where my peripherals aren’t detected at all where they were working just fine before.

for some reason i can’t edit the list so can someone plz add this to the list thanks a lot. |Blitzwolf BW-TH13 | TH13 | Banggood Easy Online Shopping | jochem_steenbrink | Windows 11 (no drivers needed):

  • M.2 SATA3.0 5Gbps (up to 2TB) x1
  • USB2.0 480Mbps x2
  • USB3.0 5Gbps x3
  • DP/VGA 4K@30Hz x1
  • HDMI 4K@60Hz x1
  • HDMI 4K@30Hz x2
  • RJ45 1000Mbps x1
  • USB-C PD3.0 100W in 87W out
  • USB-C 5Gbps x1
  • 3.5mm Audio port in/out x1
  • USB-C 1(Host 1) for mac or HDMI1 only
  • USB-C 2(Host 2)
  • TF Card Reader 104MB/s x1
  • SD Card Reader 104MB/s x1
  • curently framework 16 only works with 100W and lower chargers when charging trough PD3.0 hubs I use ESSAGER ES-CD37
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Like @Michael_Fox and @UniversalSuperBox I have a Corsair TBT100 DP hub. It is fully working (two 4K monitors at 60Hz) with the 13th-gen Intel motherboard.

I did need to enable Thunderbolt (services.hardware.bolt.enable = true on NixOS) before it’d work at all, and I needed to prod xrandr to use 60hz on both.

Using Linux 6.11.2 (NixOS 24.05).

It turns out that my issue with using the Corsair TBT100 was related to the Thunderbolt 3 cable that came with it. I bought a new, high quality, TB4 cable and everything has worked fine on Windows 11 ever since. The only issue I have now seems to be unrelated to the dock. Basically, when the laptop goes to sleep, it will not recognize external monitors on awakening. I have to restart it to get external monitors to display again.

Can’t edit the table, but I report here successfull tests on Anker Prime (A83B6) on Framework 13" Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 1 under Ubuntu 24.04 (no specific driver)

  • 2 x HDMI @2560x1440 60Hz
  • Network Gigabit
  • Audio
  • USB
  • Charging

Beware on the cable, I tested different 100W certified cables before finding a working one (can’t say if it’s the one given with the docking…)

I’m using HP Thunderbolt4 Dock G4 with Framework 13 AMD 7840U on Windows, and for me everything works (well, except for the power button):

  • 3x 4k@60Hz displays (2 DP, 1 HDMI)
  • 2.5G network
  • USB
  • charging

One more to add to the list: HP USB-C Essential Dock G5, tested with Framework 13 AMD 7840U on Windows, the following things work:

  • 1x 5k@60Hz display (5120x2880, two DP cables)
  • network
  • USB
  • charging

Actually, I was going to ask if anyone had any issues like this with the Lenovo TB4 docks, I certainly do with mine as well. I use the pro version with their TB+charge cable, and tried a third party to be sure, but yep, same issue as you. At least now I know it’s not a one-off, so thanks for that.

I bought it for the triple display output with 4k/60 each, but it seems to reset far MORE often than once a day when doing so, I eventually went back to only using 2x displays, and finally just went back to using my older Caldigit TB3 dock with only 2x DP output, but was rock solid. I just consider the Lenovo dock defective by design.

Really sad the Lenovo TB4 (40B0) dock is so terrible for what I paid for it.

Have you seen that behavior with any device other than your framework laptop? I wasn’t quite sure if thats what you meant by “tried a third party”. So far I’ve only experienced that issue with the 11th gen framework laptop, and I experience different issues with my AMD framework laptop, but every non-framework device I’ve plugged into my 40B0 dock has worked flawlessly, so until we have reports of other non-framework devices experiencing the same issues with this dock I’m not ready to blame Lenovo. But if you’ve been having the same issues with non-framework devices then I’ll start shopping for a replacement dock today.

Cable Matters Triple Monitor USB-C Hub 201331 Continued:

The YMS-868 distribution charger resets the power output to all connected devices when a new device is plugged in which causes the DisplayPort extension to the Framework to also reset. This is common with MOST chargers and highly annoying. So back to the drawing board.

I landed on the SlimQ 150W PD3.1 Model F150-3C1A 4-port charger. I confirmed via the KM003C tester that it outputs PD3.1 140W on the top two USB-C ports. I also confirmed that the included 240W e-marker cable correctly advertises as 240W. The charger is advertised as “Reset-Free Power Distribution”; So when new devices are plugged in it should not reset. I have confirmed to have had a lot less resets; it’s possible any remaining resets are from the docking station re-converging data protocols and not power related at all.

Since the Cable Matters dock taps out at 93W and the Framework 16 can accept multiple chargers (it just picks the best one), I plugged the SlimQ PD3.1 port directly into the FW 16 and the PD3.0 port to power the Cable Matters docking station. I then use the second PD3.1 port to fast charge other portable devices. I don’t have any issues with the docking station resetting in this configuration.

The double cable configuration is flexible - it can be single connected with pass-through power from the docking station (93W) or double connected for “more horsepower” (140W). The additional power would be needed for high-draw, long term sessions (e.g. gaming sessions over an hour).

Note: Chargers can only be connected to slots 1,2,4,5 and DisplayPort docking stations to 1,2,4. See “Expansion Card Slot functionality on Framework Laptop 16” for more details.

Actually it’s not on a Framework laptop - it’s a Lenovo T15g G2 with an 11th gen intel and a nvidia 3080. Sorry, I should have been more clear about that, but curious now if just some ism of the muxing between intel and nvidia with this generation.

I’m actually looking here as I’m shopping for a Framework 16 to replace it, but wanted to see what docks I could use for ideally 3x output, but was surprised to see folks using the Lenovo TB4 dock here with success. Maybe it is better with AMD, I certainly hope so as I’ve given up on Nvidia ever fixing linux drivers properly, but if I could make this dock actually useful with Framework, even better!

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HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 (4J0A2AA#ABB):

Laptop:		Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1)
CPU:		Intel(R) Core(TM) Ultra 5 125H
OS:			Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Kernel:		6.8.0-48-generic
DP/HDMI:	2x DisplayPort 1.4 (tested 2x 1440p @ 60Hz), 1x HDMI 2.0 (not tested)
LAN:		1x 1000MBit/s RJ45 (tested)
USB-A:		4x USB-A 3.0, 1x USB-C 3.0, 1x USB-C 3.1 (tested)
TB:			1x Thunderbolt Uplink, 1x Thunderbolt Downlink (tested)
Audio:		No audio interface!

Successfully testes scenarios:
:white_check_mark: connect 2x DP and open lid
:white_check_mark: connect dock at boot
:white_check_mark: dis-/connect dock after OS login
:white_check_mark: dis-/connect dock with lid closed
:white_check_mark: dis-/connect various USB devices
:white_check_mark: wake up from sleep/suspend
:white_check_mark: connected dock to USB-C port 1 and port 2 on laptop (closest to hinge)

Unsuccessfully tested scenarios:
:x: Boot/wake-up laptop by pressing dock-power-button (does nothing)

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TARGUS DOCK190 USB3 dock
Status: Due to a recent firmware update to the DOCK in September 2024, it now works OK with the FW16 AMD.
I was having problems where it was very unstable when plugged into the FW16 ports 3,6
If I plugged USB SSDs into the DOCK, they would cycle connect/disconnect every few seconds and never work. The USB chips in the FW16 were resetting themselves and lsusb would pause while they reset themselves.
I recently connected the DOCK to a windows machine and it updated the dock firmware.
The DOCK firmware is dated September 2024.
Windows was able to see the USB SSD and it was stable.
When I plugged it back into my FW16 after doing the update, Linux could then see the USB SSD and it was stable while plugged into ports 3,6.

Summary:
The DOCK now works OK on the FW16, whereas before it failed.
It also charges the FW16 laptop OK at 100 Watts. 20V * 5A.

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I’m looking for a dock delivering 180W-240W for a FW16 + GPU. The Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2 is the only dock listed above capable according to the info given in the table: Power supply vs. delivery: 135 W/65W or 230W/170W
But if I understand the Lenovo website correctly, only 65W are delivered via USB-C and 170W only with a proprietary plug (which probably will not fit into the FW16…). Or did I misunderstand the information given by Lenovo?

Thus I’m wondering, will the dock deliver 170W to a FW16? @Foxtrek_64, @gms, @nathaniel_graham or anyone else owning one? :slight_smile:

YEs you understood correctly. The lenovo dock uses a proprietary plug to deliver that maximum. So it won’t work with the FW16.

I don’t know if there is any Thunderbolt docks that would deliver over 100W over the USB-PD

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HP G4 Thunderbolt Dock 280W (Essentially the same as the normal TB4 G4 but with dubble connector for power hence bigger PSU) works fine on Fedora 41 on the AMD 7840. Powerbutton doesn’t work. DP not tested.

Since the latest HP firmware update, the system doesent output a picture after the monitor is reactivated when deactivated by the system. Odly the system contiues to work fine after waking up from energy saving mode instead.