Still confused on Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports

[Chuck Yeager]

Howdy Folks,  I'm getting a new Dell XPS w an 11th gen Intel core i7-11700K, 32GB of ram, Windows 10, and plenty of usb ports. It has a USB-C port on the front. I'm also looking to get the Focusrite Clarett 8 Pre X Thunderbolt Interface, but I cant seem to understand weather or not the Thunderbolt will work with the USB-C on the front of the PC.  Has anyone tried to put these 2 together yet?  Thanks for any advice!

[Jim Roseberry]

If the machine doesn't specifically have a Thunderbolt controller (either on the motherboard are via an add-in-card), it doesn't have Thunderbolt.

Many motherboards have USB-C ports... but not Thunderbolt.  Thunderbolt ports have the lightning-bolt logo. 

If you try to plug a Thunderbolt peripheral (audio interface, etc) into a USB-C port that's carrying USB 3.2 (not Thunderbolt), it will not function.

[Chuck Yeager]

Hi Jim, Thanks for the reply.  Yeah, I thought so....I've just heard and read so many different things while shopping for a new desktop and interface my head started to spin!  Thanks for clearing it up!!

[Jack Stoner]

If you are considering an 8940 you may be better off with an Optiplex or Precision desktop that does have Thunderbolt.  The 8940 can have heat and noisy fan issues.