Intel Thunderbolt Control Center shows no available port on Nitro 5 AN515-58-545P

Iwono

Hello, my computer is an Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-545P with full-function Thunderbolt 4 support. I want to connect an eGPU. I couldn’t find Thunderbolt Control Center on Acer support, so I installed Intel Thunderbolt Control Center. When I run it, no ports are shown, but in the settings, one port appears in the USB4 hub.

In System Devices, the following item seems related to Thunderbolt:
Intel(R) Type-C PCIe Controller – 466E

USB4 Host Controller (Intel) Information:

• Manufacturer: Intel
• Model: Gen12
• Device Example ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_463E&SUBSYS_159C1025&REV_02&USB4_MS_CM\3&11583659&0&6A
• Silicon Vendor ID: 0x8087
• Silicon Device ID: 0x463E
• Revision: 2
• Firmware Version: 17.5
• USB4 Version: 1.0
• Total DP IN adapters: 2
• Tunneled DP IN adapters: 0
• Unused DP IN adapters: 0

I haven’t connected any devices yet, and I don’t want to buy anything until I’m sure the port works. Any advice on how to verify the Thunderbolt port functionality before purchasing an eGPU would be greatly appreciated.

Puraw

Hi Iwono

The Intel Thunderbolt Control Center is Intel’s add‑on utility, and it deserves criticism:

– It auto‑installs even on systems without Thunderbolt hardware, which misleads users.– It provides no diagnostics — if it doesn’t detect ports, it just sits blank.– It adds almost nothing beyond a pop‑up approval screen. Intel could have built this into Windows Settings instead of pushing a separate app.– That’s why many call it bloatware: it’s redundant, fragile, and confusing.

Now, to your actual plan: the Acer Nitro 5 AN515‑58‑545P does have a Thunderbolt 4 port. That means:

– It is not just USB‑C Gen2 + DisplayPort Alt‑Mode.– It carries PCIe lanes, so an eGPU will work with a proper enclosure (Razer Core X, Sonnet Breakaway, etc.).– Expect some performance loss versus a desktop GPU due to Thunderbolt bandwidth limits, but it’s fully supported.– Always connect your monitor directly to the GPU outputs on the eGPU enclosure for best results.

Bottom line: – Keep the Thunderbolt/USB4 driver.– The Control Center app is optional bloatware.– Your AN515‑58‑545P has Thunderbolt 4, so an eGPU is a valid and supported option.