[SOLVED] Can you solve the Thunderbolt AIC compatibility mystery?

[dovedescent7]

Just switched from Intel to AMD after 20+ years. I just purchased the Ryzen 3700x + Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro


I want to add the LEAST EXPENSIVE Thunderbolt 3 AIC add in card since my mobo has a thunderbolt 3 header on the board. Considering GB Alpine Ridge THIS CARD

My questions are general to TB3 AND specific to my board.

1. Do i need to run a Displayport cable if I am not using the TB3 card for display? I'm only using the card for file transfer.. And What's the purpose of connecting the TB3 card to a GPU via DP?

2. Which cards will work with AMD B550? And i don't ask what is "supported" because(at least for intel): the Asus tb3 1st Gen AIC said it only supports x99 on Asus mobos but ACTUALLY works on z370 and more, w/other brands boards. There's a few other situation's just like this with other brands of TB3 AIC's.

 

[rgd1101]

does look like gb alpine ridge support amd chipset
the only 1 I know of is THUNDERBOLTEX 3-TR

THUNDERBOLTEX 3-TR - Tech Specs｜Motherboards｜ASUS Global

Detailed specification of THUNDERBOLTEX 3-TR Tech Specsï¼Chipset:Intel® Thunderbolt⢠3 JHL7540 ControllerãChipset:Intel® Thunderbolt⢠3 JHL7540 ControllerãInterface:PCIe 3.0 x4 interfaceãInterface:PCIe 3.0 x4 interfaceãExternal Connectors:2 x Thunderboltâ¢Â 3  USB Type-C® ports <br>- up...

www.asus.com

** not the THUNDERBOLTEX 3, this have the -TR at the end*

 

[Andyme177]

Answer to question 1
connect the Mini DisplayPort input if you wish to use a Thunderbolt 3 monitor. Otherwise it's not necessary.