Intel discontinues first-generation thunderbolt 3 drivers

Intel this week announced plans to discontinue its first generation of Thunderbolt 3 controllers that it released in 2015, as a result of the industry's transition from lead to lead-free components. This shouldn't be a problem for PC makers as they migrate to the latest Intel platforms like CannonLake or Coffee Lake.

The first Thunderbolt 3 controllers had polluting materials

Intel announced on Thursday its plans to discontinue the TB3 DSL6340 and DSL6540 controllers that launched in the third quarter of 2015. Intel is recommending its customers to use the JHL6340 and JHL6540 drivers that were released in the second quarter of 2016.

At first glance, there is no difference between Intel's Thunderbolt 3 series DSL and JHL controllers - they both belong to the Alpine Ridge family and even the power consumption would be the same: 1.7-2.2W depending on configuration. of the port. Intel has also confirmed that DSL and JHL series TB3 controllers are similar in terms of features and functionality: 6340 supports one Thunderbolt 3 port, while 6540 supports two Thunderbolt 3 ports, each TB3 chip carries two DP 1.2 streams, and so on..

Thunderbolt 3 Controllers - Alpine Ridge

	DSL6240	DSL6340	DSL6540	JHL6340	JHL6540
Launching	Q2 2016	Q3 2015	Q2 2016
TDP	1.2 W	1.7 W	2.2 W	1.7 W	2.2 W
Number of ports	one	two	one	two
DisplayPort	1.2
Size	10.7 × 10.7 mm
Recommended price	$ 6.45	$ 8	$ 8.55	$ 8	$ 8.55

The European Union recently restricted the use of lead (as well as many other hazardous materials) because its fumes increase the risk of lung and stomach cancer, along with other known risks of exposure to lead and heavy metals in general, such as the ones used in the early Thunderbolt 3 controllers.

Source: anandtech