Summary

New ports and connectors are constantly arriving.

While some remain obscure, others become mainstream, even essential for certain setups.

Terminal window showing the manual page for the Mutt email client on Linux

OCuLink has been around for nearly a decade, but it’s mostly been hanging out in server spaces.

Yep, that’s much faster than Thunderbolt 4, which caps out at 5 GB/s.

The Cost Factor: A Wallet-Friendly Alternative

OCuLink really shines when it comes to cost-efficiency.

Person wearing the Apple Watch Series 10

Its higher bandwidth capabilities are especially appealing foreGPUsetups, offering better frame rates and lower lag.

The standard also operates at PCIe x4 speeds, compared to Thunderbolt’s x3.

It still offers benefits like widespread adoption, plug-and-play ease, and a broader ecosystem of compatible devices.

A Supermicro Oculink Cable

Supermicro

Plus, Thunderbolt’s relatively hassle-free setup could be a significant advantage for the less technically inclined.

With promising devices like these entering the market, OCuLink’s adoption in the consumer space seems increasingly inevitable.

A GPD G1 dock with three monitors and a GPD handheld computer attached.

GPD

Keep an eye on this; you might just want the OCuLink option in your next setup.