A new Chinese-made cable, capable of supporting 8K wired connections, could soon render current Thunderbolt cables outdated. Engineered for ultra-high-resolution content and heavy power delivery, the 8K-capable cable aims to streamline setups for gamers, streamers, and high-performance users.
The cable operates on a new standard named General Purpose Media Interface (GPMI), developed by the Shenzhen 8K UHD Video Industry Cooperation Alliance—a coalition of over 50 Chinese tech companies. Tailored for 8K video, the GPMI standard merges high-speed data transmission with high-wattage power delivery, aiming to reduce cable clutter.
Two versions of the 8K cable are currently available. The first is a Type-C variant that adheres to the latest USB-C standard. It supports 96 Gbps of bandwidth and up to 240 watts of power, exceeding Thunderbolt 4’s performance and matching USB4’s capabilities. In comparison, Thunderbolt 5, introduced in 2024, offers the same 240-watt power delivery and up to 120 Gbps of boosted bandwidth.
However, the standout is the proprietary Type-B connector developed by the Chinese alliance. This version can deliver an impressive 192 Gbps of bandwidth and 480 watts of power—enough to support an 8K display and simultaneously charge a high-end gaming laptop.
This cable marks a significant leap over existing standards. HDMI 2.1 maxes out at 48 Gbps with no power output, DisplayPort 2.1 offers 80 Gbps, and Thunderbolt 4 is limited to 40 Gbps and 100 watts. Currently, no widely-used standard rivals the bandwidth and power capabilities of this Chinese 8K cable, though Thunderbolt 5 adoption is gradually increasing.
Beyond sheer performance, GPMI includes features like unified control—comparable to HDMI-CEC—allowing users to operate multiple devices with a single remote. This further reduces the number of cables and power sources needed in a setup. However, while the cable’s power ceiling won’t yet power an entire gaming PC, it can reportedly handle a portable workstation with dedicated graphics.
For users seeking powerful yet portable setups, the Chinese 8K cable could be a breakthrough in next-generation connectivity.
Whether GPMI will gain traction outside China remains to be seen. Still, based on its specifications, the cable appears highly promising—even though its reliance on a proprietary connector for peak performance challenges the global push toward standardized power connectors, especially now that even Apple has adopted USB-C.
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Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on publicly available sources and announcements at the time of publication. Specifications, features, and availability of the products mentioned may change. Readers are advised to verify details from official sources before making any decisions based on this content.
