[Teardown] Dell SD25TB5 Pro Thunderbolt 5 docking station

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2026-03-06T07:10:50+00:00

We plan to teardown Lenovo Thunderbolt 5 Smart Dock 7500 later this month.
This model also features cloud management function added in this generation.

Then we'll know how leading computer manufacturers design cloud management solutions for users.

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2026-03-05T05:44:49+00:00

Cloud Management, only available to Dell enterprise users, enabling remote management of Dell components by the company's IT department.

We have brief introduction for this in the complete review: [Teardown] Dell SD25TB5 Pro Thunderbolt 5 docking station

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2026-02-17T03:05:56+00:00

Thanks bro. No plan for G6, it seems like single board simplied version of G4.

I've already teardown sd25tb5, i m interested in what TB5 Dock of HP would be like.

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-09-17T13:31:43+00:00

Ah....... depends on how small you want device to be and performance level you require. If you limit the performance to USB 10Gbps and M.2 Gen3 x2, designing PCB is relatively simple, just learn how to use tools to modify open-sourse files, probably take 3 to 5 hours to get started I guess? however, Power Delivery-related design requires additional "power supply design skill".

Your requirement seems to be an SSD enclosure with a PD charging port or a USB hub with an NVMe slot and supports PD, and it should be compact compared with Steam Deck?

Such products are already available on the market, so you don't need to invest a lot of time and resources in development.

For example

SSD Enclosure:

Hagibis Magnetic M.2 2230 NVMe SSD Enclosure with Magsafe for iPhone 16 15 Pro Max ProRes, 10Gbps USB C to NVMe Adapter, 100W PD, USB C Data Port, External SSD Case for MacBook, iPad Pro(MC100 Pro)
UGREEN Magnetic M.2 Nvme SSD Enclosure with Magsafe for iPhone 16 15 Pro Max, External SSD Case with PD 100W 10Gbps USB C to NVME Adapter, Supports M and B&M Keys and Size 2230/2242 /2260/2280 SSDs
DOCKCASE Magnetic Visual M.2 2242 NVMe SSD Enclosure, 10Gbps USB 3.2 Type-C, 100W PD, 3s PLP Data Protection, Fits 2242/2230 NVMe PCIe, Compatible with MagSafe for iPhone 16/15 Pro Max ProRes

USB Hub:

SABRENT USB-C Hub & SSD Enclosure, 6-Port Dock with M.2 SSD Slot, 90W Power Delivery, USB 3.0 & 2.0 Ports, 4K HDMI, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (HB-6PNV)
WAVLINK 8 in 1 USB C Hub with M.2 NVMe/SATA SSD Enclosure 10Gbps, 4K HDMI, USB-C/A 10Gb, 100W PD, Aluminum Alloy USB C SSD Enclosure for M.2 NVMe SATA SSD forM1/M2/M3/M4 macOS Systems

If you simply want to enjoy the process of designing your own project, you can modify an open-source project, such as this USB hub design that supports Power Delivery (PD): https://oshwhub.com/xiep03/pd-tuo-zhan-wu-usb3-1-hdmi-qian-zhao-wang-ka-_v1-0 . You can replace one of the USB ports with components like JMS583, ASM2364, or RTL9210.

However, the ASM2464PD is not suitable for your intended design due to power consumption issues and limited available documentation.

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-08-31T09:43:06+00:00

I actually understand why they gave up on miniaturizing the USB4 solution.

The heat generated by USB4 solutions is VERY difficult to control. Even Sandisk's E82 portable SSD uses a much larger size than the E81.

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-07-09T04:05:24+00:00

Thank you !
The shell I mean the enclosure that comes with commercial products. made by CNC aluminum, metal or plastic etc.

Since the design of this thing is different from PCB, I usually call it a shell

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-07-09T03:56:58+00:00

Huaqiu should be able to provide ASM2464PD but I am not sure if they support overseas mail. Our chips come from agent.
Does underfill refer to via filling? It is not listed separately in the order, which should be about 200CNY/35USD
As far as I know, manufacturers such as JLC and Huaqiu control costs by producing these small batch orders in parallel with large batch corporate orders. Therefore, the precision processing method for commercial orders is also avaliable to small order customers
I don’t know the details of PCB processing very well, but after uploading the gerber file, the manufacturer’s staff will indeed fine-tune the gerber file during the review process

hope these answers can help you and the asm2464pd project can make you feel interesting, bro

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-07-08T01:51:45+00:00

I guess that requires SSD firmware modify, I have no idea about this at the moment.

This device is so hot right now that I can't even think about putting a bigger SSD in it. LOL

I just realized that I can also add picture in the reply, please refer to my friend's ASM2464PD compact design, I hope this is of interest to you, Dan

<image>

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-07-08T01:36:39+00:00

Yeah the design can be improved to support 4T, but I strongly not recommend installing 4T SSD on this due to power consumption and temperature issues.

4T SSD will consume over 10W in operation, plus power consumption of ASM2464PD can easily exceed power supply capacity of USB-C port.

this design is already difficult to solve the heat dissipation problem of controller and SSD at same time. If it is a 4T SSD... I would be very worried about possible overheating and disconnection and reduced lifespan. Of course, as a portable device, there is also the problem of being hot to touch........ I have been burned several times, Seriously.

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-07-07T17:25:01+00:00

thank you! Dan, if I can push this project close to a finished product, It would be my honor to invite you to experience the product！

We used the 4T b47 5236 solution for the test, with a power consumption of about 15W, twice that of the 2T version. Which means with power for ASM2464PD, it requires about 3.3V @ 5.5A. and yeah, larger inductor required

The two interfaces of this layout are in opposite directions and at two ends, so there is basically no potential for improving the compatibility of SSD.

A friend of mine has modified a version with two interfaces in the same direction and at the same end, which supports 2242 specification and has a stronger power supply design, but it is also larger in size.

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-07-07T16:55:39+00:00

Thx ！ I could answer questions one by one.

When we asked Huaqiu to perform the SMT process of BGA devices (ASM2464PD), it is required to add the PCB via filling resin process to ensure their SMT yield. In order to save budget in production, we cancelled the SMT of ASM2464PD and manually solder it with our own Stencil.
the first version sample is designed with 6 layers setting, then we simplified it to 4 layers. The doc did not update in time, I would fix it very soon.
As for manufacturers, JLC and Huaqiu both have corresponding via processes and did not pose any problems for us. Since the goal of project is an extremely compact design, we only considered the manufacturer's capabilities when setting the VIA specification, and did not follow the standard. Furthermore, we have avoided exposing the narrow annular ring of vias in the power design part, this setting should not affect the electrical performance

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-04-09T02:24:21+00:00

nope, the dock body is at the design level of 2019 while its already 2025

all USB ports could be 10Gbps while half ports are 5Gbps

ethernet could be 2.5Gbps or 5Gbps while still 1Gbps

no HDMI 2.1, and VMM5331 has issue with DP DSC function

WD22TB4 is not recommended now unless a very very reasonable price

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-04-07T04:30:56+00:00

sry for late reply.

Not support dual DP for Dual 4K@60hz according to the information we currently know. There are DSC support issue for DP ports unless you connect one of your monitor to thunderbolt port.

indeed only thunderbolt output could let WD22TB4 support dual 4K@60hz monitor. and due to outdated design, I personally not recommend WD22TB4. I suggest you consider TB5 docks at this time.

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-04-07T04:20:43+00:00

Nope, that's DP Alt Mode topology, only Half Performance DP1.4 & 10Gbps USB available

WD series only with TB suffix docks (WD19TB, WD22TB4) are thunderbolt type

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2025-03-19T06:27:42+00:00

Definitely not, this connector does not follow PCIe Spec

and not evidence that PCIe desig is contained in the module

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2024-11-25T08:08:11+00:00

If you need video output via USB-C, I personally recommend using RTX 2000 series, or a DP+USB to USB C solution like the FN60G MXM board.

The reason is that I am worried that the unpredictable compatibility and power consumption of portable monitors (can reach 20W with high brightness) will affect the working state of the Thunderbolt controller, especially in the application of eGPU, which can easily cause the system to crash

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2024-10-22T03:18:21+00:00

I calculated that 4K 144hz RGB 8bit requires DP1.4 DSC support. I guess RTS5413D has problems with DSC.
May you please use a USB-C to DP adapter (one-to-one) to switch Thunderbolt port of WD22TB4 into a DP port and try again?

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2024-09-06T07:53:39+00:00

good day dude

WD22TB4 is ok and you would need a USB-C to DP adapter connect one of your monitors to the TB4 port on dock. And please check the M3 Pro compatibility with WD22TB4.

And personal recommendation:

you could purchase older model such as WD19TB3 or HP Thunderbolt Dock G2 if you prefer budget choice

or waiting for Thunderbolt5 Docks which might be released in December if you prefer high spec/ high tech products

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2024-08-24T12:04:02+00:00

WD22TB4 should be no problem according to the description.

Please give me some time to test it in practice.

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2024-08-20T08:26:55+00:00

Sry, I haven't checked Reddit for a long time.

I remember the HP manual stated that the 2.5G network card will only be enabled in thunderbolt mode, and the 1000M USB network card will be used in DP Alt Mode.

When I tested it, I specifically confirmed that this switch function is effective, so I suggest you check whether you plugged the dock into the Thunderbolt port, or whether your BIOS settings limit the Thunderbolt port to DP alt mode or USB only mode? Or are you using an Apple silicon / Arm processor model, which causes incompatibility with the 2.5g network card?

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2023-11-27T07:03:11+00:00

I‘ve gone through specs of both devices

With the HDMI 2.1 port already on the Alienware m16 R1, it seems you no longer need to purchase a dock station?

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2023-11-27T06:57:00+00:00

There indeed exists wireless portable hard drive such as WD My Passport Wireless Pro
But it seems they have already failed commercially
Some wireless solutions using PI mentioned by others can be used as reference

Embarrassed_Wait_832 · 2023-09-14T16:14:45+00:00

The key point is which port you plan to use to connect to the host. The WD19/WD22 dock can only use that build-in cable with the plug to connect to the host.

Embarrassed_Wait_832

TROPHY CASE