Question

I'm interested in upgrading to the Quantum 26x32 Thunderbolt audio interface, but I seem to be finding a lot of confusing information about the Thunderbolt port.

I have a Dell XPS 8700 PC running Windows 10 but it does not appear to have this port. And I read on the PreSonus site that that motherboard must support Thunderbold natively. I called Dell and they said their newer computers support this in the form of a USB 3.1 Type-C port. However, I have also read that this port is not always compatible with Thunderbolt.

The last thing I want to do is fork out $1,000 for the Quantum, another $1,000 plus for the computer, and then learn there is some sort of compatibility issue. So how can I find out for sure? And is there a list of PCs that are tested with the Quantum maybe?

Answer 1

Your cheapest solution is to get a PCIe thunderbolt card.

Answer 2

There are no PCIe Thunderbolt cards that will work in any PC. It is not the same as buying a USN add-in card or a graphics card etc. Thunderbolt needs the correct technology built in to the motherboard.

I suggest you read this article:

https://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General/Thunderbolt-add-in-card/m-p/5147305

I have just been through the same scenario, but luckily I have a Dell 5800 and a 7900, so the add-in card works with both of my machines. I have got the Quantum and have tested it with the add-in card and it works fine. I am selling the 5800 if anyone is interested. If all goes well I will be able to supply it with the supported 7HMHP Thunderbolt card. However, the PC is in the UK. Basic spec is 8 core Xeon 3200 MHz (if my memory serves me correctly) with a 100 gig (yes 100 gig!) of DDR4 RAM.

Other than that, any very modern PC with Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt 3 should work fine. If you have Thunderbolt 3 you will need the converter, if you have Thunderbolt 2 you will need the Apple straight (probably 2 meter) Thunderbolt 2 cable.

Answer 3

@brockstallworth: As I alluded to in my original question, this is not supported.

Putting a Thunderbolt Add-on card into a system that does not have native Thunderbolt support on the motherboard will not work.

From https://support.presonus.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003181806-Will-Quantum-work-with-my-Windows-10-machine-

Answer 4

Working and tested with Presonus Quantum https://www.kijiji.ca/v-pro-audio-recording/oshawa-durham-region/thunderbolt-pc-digital-audio-workstation/1341113903

Answer 5

I know this posting was in FEB but Ive been using an Asus prime z370 board with a thunderbolt ex3 card and a startech tb3 to tb2 adapter and its works flawlessly.

In theory you can make a very capable machine for around $500 with a coffee lake i3. (quad core)

My machine was around $800 with an i5,(six core) but to be honest it was overkill.

I bought 2 Thunderbolt ex3 cards from this seller on Ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-ThunderboltEX-3-Thunderbolt-3-USB-3-1-PCI-e-Card-For-Z170-X99-X299-Prime/302711345995

one as a backup and they both work well.

Answer 6

Thunderbolt was designed by Apple and Intel and will only work on a new Mac.

Thunderbolt is everything that was promised going from T1 with transfer rates of 10GB/sec bi-directional

to T2 20GB bi-dir to the latest Thunderbolt 3 on such a simple yet screaming fast data, video and audio @ 40TB/sec

where you can daisy chain up to 6 devices ending in a 4k or even a 5k monitor.

So basically older Macs including the last of the Mac Pro Towers will never see the incredible speed of Thunderbolt.

I'm guessing you could by a MacBook Pro and run windows on it.

Robert