CalDigit Element 5 Hub (E5)

USB-C hubs

This is what matters about CalDigit Element 5 Hub (E5).

About

CalDigit's first Thunderbolt 5 hub — PAM-3 signaling lets the downstream link burst to 120Gbps asymmetrically, with 90W of laptop charging and no video conversion of its own.

Specs

Power Delivery in
180W
PD passthrough to host
90W
Requires DisplayLink driver
No

Ports: 1× Thunderbolt 5 (host, up to 120Gbps), 3× Thunderbolt 5 (downstream, 80Gbps), 2× USB-C (10Gbps) and 3× USB-A (10Gbps)

Confirmed with

  • Notebook (generic)

    Hosts on Thunderbolt 3/USB4 or older block the PCIe data path entirely rather than falling back gracefully. macOS on M4 systems does not support native triple-display output over a single Thunderbolt 5 connection the way Windows TB5 hosts do. Video requires a native TB/USB-C monitor or active adapter — no HDMI/DisplayPort jacks on the hub itself.

    Source: www.caldigit.com
    Confirmed — caveat
  • Steam Deck

    CalDigit support confirms it works via USB 3.2 Gen 2 fallback (single external monitor through DP Alt Mode), but the hub's 60W cap triggers a "slow charging" warning under heavy load.

    Source: www.reddit.com
    Confirmed — caveat
  • ROG Ally

    Video output (including FreeSync/VRR) works over the USB 3.2 Gen 2 fallback, but the hub's 60W cap is below the 65W threshold needed to unlock 30W Turbo mode.

    Source: www.reddit.com
    Confirmed — caveat
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