© ROOT-NATION.com - Use of content is permitted with a backlink.
To some extent, USB4 hubs are in an awkward position. Within just a few years, the standard has lost much of its predictability and no longer fits the notion of “Thunderbolt 4 for everyone.” That said, it still offers very high data transfer speeds, which is also true for the j5create JCD554.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Specifications
- USB-C input ports: one, Thunderbolt 4/USB4 40 Gbps
- USB output ports: USB-C 10 Gbps with DP AltMode, USB Type-A USB 2.0, 2×USB Type-A 10 Gbps, USB-C power delivery port up to 85 W
- Video output ports: USB-C, DisplayPort, 2×HDMI
- Additional ports: SD/microSD 4.0, 1 Gbps Ethernet, security port
- Maximum displays in Windows, with TBT4/USB4, MST and DSC: three at 4K60
- Power: up to 100 W input, up to 85 W output
- Cable length: 50 cm
- Weight: 463 g
- Warranty: limited, 2 years
Video review of the j5create JCD554
Price and positioning
This is a recent release with an estimated price of around $180. While that may appear relatively high at first glance, it is broadly in line with the current market for USB4 hubs. It is also worth distinguishing between the JCD554 and the JCD543, a lower-cost model with less clearly specified connector performance. The latter includes a VGA output, which reflects a different, more legacy-oriented positioning.
Drawbacks
A few minor points are worth noting. The j5create JCD554 comes with a minimal accessory set: there is no carrying pouch or case, no additional cables, and no power adapter included. The package contains only the hub itself.
The JCD554 features a simple, functional design. It combines gray metal surfaces with black plastic elements, includes rubberized feet, and has a magnetic cover with a leather-like texture. Under the cover, there is a cable and several routing slots for cable management. Alternatively, the cable can be routed through the center, although in that case the cover will not fully close.
Advantages of the j5create JCD554
Moving on to the more substantive aspects. The j5create JCD554 is built around USB4; more precisely, it is based on Thunderbolt 4, as it uses an Intel controller. Given the near-complete interoperability between USB4 and Thunderbolt 4, the device provides the expected capabilities of a high-speed, mainstream interface standard.
A 40 Gbps link is, in practical terms, a high level of bandwidth. Only newer iterations such as Thunderbolt 5 exceed this, with higher headline figures and more flexible bandwidth allocation. The details of these configurations can be complex and are not always presented consistently across implementations, so a direct comparison is not always straightforward.
It is worth noting that even a 40 Gbps link can be sufficient for demanding use cases. In testing, this level of bandwidth has been enough to utilize a desktop-class GPU such as the RTX 4060 Ti or або 5060 Ti at roughly 95% of its potential performance. This refers to the desktop variant, not the mobile version. For context, 40 Gbps is somewhat higher than the bandwidth provided by a four-lane PCIe 3.0 connection (approximately 32 Gbps), which helps explain why the performance impact in such scenarios can remain relatively limited.
Display output
There are, however, some important caveats, particularly regarding display support. Without Display Stream Compression (DSC), DisplayPort 1.4 cannot reliably operate over a 10 Gbps USB link, even in theory, and therefore cannot deliver the commonly cited 4K at 144 Hz for a single display – let alone for multiple displays.
Does the j5create JCD554 solve this problem? No. The maximum supported output from any source through the hub is 4K at 60 Hz, or 1440p at 144 Hz, or Full HD at 144 Hz. There is no support for 5K, 8K, 240 Hz, or similar high-bandwidth display modes.
It is theoretically possible to output up to three 4K displays at 60 Hz, but this relies on both Display Stream Compression (DSC) and Multi-Stream Transport (MST). The latter effectively requires dedicated hardware support, which in practice limits its applicability in typical setups. In general, if more than two displays are required from a laptop, it is often more practical to use the device’s native HDMI or USB-C outputs directly, as modern systems typically provide these separately. Ultimately, despite its capabilities, the j5create JCD554 is not aimed at multi-display-heavy or high-refresh gaming scenarios.
Ports on the j5create JCD554
This hub, which is sometimes referred to as a docking station, is designed as a “one device for everything, but in moderation” solution. It includes three USB-A ports: two operating at 10 Gbps and one limited to 480 Mbps (USB 2.0). In practical terms, this provides enough connectivity for common peripherals such as a high-performance mouse, a keyboard, and a webcam simultaneously, with some capacity still available for additional low- or medium-bandwidth devices.
Next, there are two card readers for SD and microSD, compliant with SD 4.0, offering up to around 300 MB/s read speeds and approximately 140 MB/s write speeds. Additional connectivity includes a 1 Gbps Ethernet port, a combined audio jack, and a USB-C port with 10 Gbps bandwidth that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and power delivery functionality. There is also a separate USB-C input for power delivery of up to 85 W. For thermal management, the enclosure includes ventilation perforations intended to improve heat dissipation under combined power and data load. The metal chassis also contributes to passive cooling.
The primary goal of the j5create JCD554 is to provide a broad set of connectivity options in a single device. In some cases, it offers more flexibility than slower-class hubs. For example, a dual 4K display setup for productivity is supported without difficulty, while gaming can still be handled directly on the laptop’s built-in display. A full set of peripherals can be connected simultaneously without significant constraints.
Smartphones and headphones can also be connected without issues. At the same time, the device remains relatively compact and can function as a laptop stand, with a chassis designed to avoid surface damage during use.
The only aspect I am less satisfied with is the 85 W maximum power delivery. However, this is a trade-off. On one hand, higher power delivery – such as 140 W, which is also part of the official USB Power Delivery specification – would be preferable. In particular, 140 W is sufficient for many optimized systems, such as the ASUS ProArt P16, even with high-end configurations like an RTX 5090, for roughly 99% of typical professional workloads, including rendering.
Even a UPS is not necessary; a power bank is sufficient. I have also looked at models compatible with 140 W fast charging from EcoFlow, links are in the description. On the other hand, I noted that the price of the j5create JCD554 is not particularly high.
It is one of the more affordable fully functional 40 Gbps hubs. It is even recognized as a separate device in the laptop system. With the cheapest hubs of this type, it is not reasonable to expect full functionality in every aspect. The features it provides are sufficient for typical use cases.
Compatibility issues
Finally, if your USB4 hub is waking up your ASUS laptop even though you disabled this in Device Manager, check MyASUS and turn off Sleep Assistant, which is enabled by default. I was not aware of this initially and mistakenly attributed the behavior to the hub itself.
As a result, I went too far with removing devices, and the AMD chipset driver stopped installing altogether. I spent three days, from morning to night, trying to fix it and even considered taking the laptop to a service center. The issue was resolved after uninstalling a Windows update, after which the reinstallation process also pulled in the AMD chipset driver. This is not a problem with the j5create device, but it is worth noting, as the issue is likely to be more general rather than specific to a particular hub or accessory.
Summary
The conclusion is straightforward. The j5create JCD554 is one of the more affordable, fully functional USB4 hubs based on an Intel Thunderbolt 4 controller, with corresponding compatibility characteristics. It is not a perfect device and does not cover every possible use case, and it is not intended to do so. However, for the functionality it provides, it is sufficient for many users – especially those coming from USB 10 Gbps-class devices, where the performance difference can feel significant.
It also features a solid build quality, reliable construction, and good portability. Taken together, these characteristics make it a reasonable option within its category.
Overall, it can be considered a practical choice for its segment, rather than a universal solution.
Read also:
- Mijia Smart Audio Glasses Review: Stylish Accessory or Headset Replacement?
- be quiet! Pure Power 13M 1200W Review: How NVIDIA DLSS 5 Affects Power Supply Load
- Balcony Solar System, Part 1: EcoFlow Stream Pro (Ultra) – A Residential Energy Independence Solution