Get enough drive space for your raw, 4K, large-format, and VR workflows with the ThunderBay 8 48TB 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array with from OWC / Other World Computing. Compatible with Windows and Mac systems, the ThunderBay 8 features dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, which use USB Type-C connectors. There is also a DisplayPort 1.2 port for connecting to a 4K display.

The ThunderBay 8 has eight drive bays, which support both 2.5" and 3.5" hard drives (2.5" HDDs do not need adapters). This particular ThunderBay 8 model comes with eight 6TB drives for 48TB of total storage capacity. The included drives are configured in RAID 5. Using the SoftRAID XT software, you can reconfigure these drives from RAID 5 to alternate configurations including RAID 0, 1, 4, 1+0, and JBOD.

8 x 6TB HDDs    8 x 3.5/2.5" SATA Drive Bays    2 x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) Ports    1 x DisplayPort 1.2    RAID 0, 1, 1+0, 4, 5, JBOD    Preconfigured in RAID 5    Transfer Rates up to 2586 MB/s    1 x 92mm Cooling Fan    SoftRAID XT Software Included    Windows and Mac Compatible

Thunderbolt 3 is a hardware interface that uses the reversible USB Type-C connector. Doubling the speed of its predecessor, Thunderbolt 3 features a maximum throughput of 40 Gb/s when used with compatible devices. The connector also transmits data via USB 3.1 at up to 10 Gb/s, and a dual-bandwidth DisplayPort 1.2 allows you to connect up to two 4K displays simultaneously. Additionally, you can daisy chain up to six devices from a single Thunderbolt 3 port.

The ThunderBay 8 comes preconfigured in RAID 5, but also supports RAID 0, 1, 4, and 1+0 as well as JBOD.

The Thunderbay 8 uses an oversized 92mm fan to keep the drives running cool and reliably.

Daisy chain up to six ThunderBay 8s for more storage capabilities and increased performance or connect multiple ThunderBay 8s to multiple Thunderbolt 3 ports to achieve higher speeds.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. What brand hard drives come with the enclosure?

A: Mine came with 4x4TB HGST (HDN726040ALE614) drives. OWC says they come with Toshiba and as I have more than one of these, I keep a spare Toshiba drive in a cabinet. Now it seems I have to get a spare HGST drive too.

Q: 2. Does it come with the drives?

A: Per the description, the listing you are referring to: "This particular ThunderBay 4 model comes with four 6TBTB 3.5" 7200 rpm drives for a total of 24TB storage capacity."

Q: 3. Do you know the read/write speeds for this in a RAID 5 configuration?

A: Sequential Read/Write (compressible data) Read: 585MB/s Write: 607MB/sSequential Read/Write (incompressible data) Read: 594MB/s Write: 548MB/s

Q: 4. Does this come with the OWC 3 year warranty?

A: This product has a Limited 3-Year Warranty.

Q: 5. What is the transfer speed when configured to raid 5?

A: Unfortunately the manufacturer does not specify what the transfer speed may be when configured to RAID 5. This is likely because speeds may vary depending types of drive you use and other variations with computer spec.

Q: 6. Does this come with Softraid software License?

A: Yes, it is included.

Q: 7. Where do you buy replacement hard drives for this model?

A: You can choose any SATA III 2.5" or 3.5" hard disk drives (HDD) or solid-state drives (SSD) to install. If creating RAID sets, be sure to use the same spec'ed drives.

Q: 8. I'm looking at getting something Could you add SSDs at a later date? or will this enclosure only accept HDDs?

A: Yes, you can add SSD's at a later date.

Q: 9. Is the PC software still in Beta? Specifically for Windows 10 Pro for Workstations using RAID 5?

A: The softRAID software for Windows would have no issues for configuring the volume in RAID 5 on Windows 10 Pro for workstations. More information can be found here at https://www.softraid.com/features/mac-windows/

Q: 10. How difficult is it to format this product as as RAID 10 for a Windows 10 PC?

A: It should not be difficult as long as you can find the appropriate Windows software.