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Sonnet Echo Express SE I Thunderbolt 3 to Full-Height/Half-Length PCIe Card Expansion System

BH #SOEEXPSE1T3 • MFR #ECHO-EXP-SE1-T3
 19 reviews
Sonnet Echo Express SE I Thunderbolt 3 to Full-Height/Half-Length PCIe Card Expansion System
Key Features
  • Thunderbolt 3 Interface
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) Ports
  • 1 x PCIe 3.0 x8 Slot
  • Supports Full-Height, Half-Length Cards
The Echo Express SE I Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe Card Expansion System from Sonnet provides a PCIe 3.0 x8 slot for Thunderbolt 3-equipped notebooks, SFF desktop systems, and other computers without a PCIe slot. The Echo Express SE I supports full-height PCIe cards, featuring a length up to 7.75". For supporting a wide variety of PCI cards, it sports one expansion slot that can accommodate double-width PCI cards or single-width PCI cards coming with a daughter card. It is suitable for connecting one professional video capture, audio interface, SAS or SATA HBA, 16Gb or 8Gb Fibre Channel, 10Gb Ethernet, or RAID controller PCIe card, which operates over the Thunderbolt connection. There's also an integrated variable-speed fan for cooling your PCI card and the SE I's internal components.
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Sonnet Express SE I Overview

The Echo Express SE I Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe Card Expansion System from Sonnet provides a PCIe 3.0 x8 slot for Thunderbolt 3-equipped notebooks, SFF desktop systems, and other computers without a PCIe slot. The Echo Express SE I supports full-height PCIe cards, featuring a length up to 7.75". For supporting a wide variety of PCI cards, it sports one expansion slot that can accommodate double-width PCI cards or single-width PCI cards coming with a daughter card. It is suitable for connecting one professional video capture, audio interface, SAS or SATA HBA, 16Gb or 8Gb Fibre Channel, 10Gb Ethernet, or RAID controller PCIe card, which operates over the Thunderbolt connection. There's also an integrated variable-speed fan for cooling your PCI card and the SE I's internal components.

The Echo Express SE I Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe Card Expansion System comes with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, letting you daisy chain up to six Thunderbolt devices to your computer. Each of the two Thunderbolt 3 ports transmits data at a rate of up to 40 Gbps and offers a USB Type-C design, so you can connect the included 1.6' Thunderbolt 3 cable on the first try. Moreover, a ThunderLok 3 Thunderbolt connector retainer clip is supplied to help ensure the cable stays connected to the chassis.

Note: The Echo Express SE I is not compatible with the DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G card due to daughter card mounting requirements.

General Features
PCIe 3.0 Slot and Space for a Daughter Card
The Echo Express SE I's PCIe 3.0 slot supports a half-length (up to 7.75" long), full-height, single- or double-width PCIe card. Some specialty cards, such as Blackmagic Design's DeckLink 4K Extreme, and RME's HDSPe MADI FX card, include a daughter card that mates with and provides additional external connections to the main card. The daughter card occupies the adjacent expansion slot space without requiring a PCIe slot.
Thunderbolt 3 Technology
The Echo Express SE I - Thunderbolt 3 edition includes two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports; the first connects it to your computer, while the second supports daisy chaining of up to five additional Thunderbolt peripheral devices to a single port on your computer. The SE I comes with USB 3.1 (10 Gbps) support, meaning you can connect a USB device to the second port using a proper cable or adapter. The SE I also provides full support for connecting two 4K displays @ 60 Hz or one 5K display @ 60 Hz. For connected devices requiring extra power, 15 watts is provided to connected bus-powered devices.
Smart Design
The Echo Express SE I - Thunderbolt 3 Edition's lightweight, yet rugged aluminum outer shell securely protects the installed PCIe card. Inside, the card is protected with a variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan, which ensures that the card and SE I's internal components remain reliably cool. The fan automatically speeds up as necessary to cool the optional PCIe card when it's hot, and slows down when it's cool. Since Echo Express products automatically power on and off with your computer, there is no power switch on the chassis, ensuring you don't waste energy by forgetting to turn it off.
Compatibility
Designed to accommodate cards up to 7.75" long, the Echo Express SE I - Thunderbolt 3 Edition supports most PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, and PCIe 1.1 cards, which are compatible over a Thunderbolt connection.
Quiet Cooling
The Echo Express SE I is designed to be quiet so that it can be comfortably used in noise-sensitive environments. The airflow path within the chassis has been specially designed to enable the temperature-controlled, variable speed fan to quietly and efficiently cool the PCIe card at all times.
Thunderbolt Cable and ThunderLok Included
To connect the Echo Express SE I - Thunderbolt 3 Edition to your computer, Sonnet includes a 1.6' (0.5m) Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps) cable and a Sonnet ThunderLok 3 Thunderbolt connector retainer clip to secure the cable to the Echo chassis. Accidental cable disconnection can lead to data loss. Sonnet's ThunderLok 3 is easy to install and use-just slide it over one end of the cable and then plug in the connector and secure it to the chassis by turning a thumbscrew.
UPC: 732311012051

Sonnet Express SE I Specs

General
Expansion Slots
1 x PCIe 3.0 x8 (x4 mode)
Supported PCI Card Sizes
Full-Height, Half-Length, Single-Width
Maximum GPU Length
7.75" / 19.68 cm
Inputs/Outputs
2 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3)
Data Transfer Rates
Thunderbolt 3: 40 Gb/s
OS Compatibility
Windows
macOS
*As of December, 2018: Check with manufacturer for the most up-to-date compatibility
Power
Power Source Type
60 W External Adapter
AC Input Power
100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
Environmental
Operating Temperature
32 to 95°F / 0 to 35°C
Physical
Form Factor
Desktop
Certifications
RoHS
*as per Manufacturer
Host Cable Length
1.64' / 0.5 m
Dimensions
5.6 x 8.6 x 3.5" / 14.2 x 21.8 x 8.9 cm
Weight
2.6 lb / 1.18 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
4.495 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
11.3 x 7.1 x 5.8"

Sonnet Express SE I Reviews

Works Well!

By Mike
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-24

Simple enclosure that works perfect! Have three of these paired with BMD Decklink Duo at various locations with no issues.

Caution Decklink 4k Extreme 12g not supported.by this BOX.

By FREDERICK
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2022-03-03

Despite claims by Sonnet that this enclosure will support most cards. Not True. Decklink 4k Extreme 12g is very popular card and is not supported. Don't make the mistake as I did.

Works

By Josh
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-08-12

Good product

worked great

By Michael
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-07-22

does what it supposed to do. great versatility.

Great combo with the DeckLink

By Jamison
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-05-12

We use this with the DeckLink products from BlackMagic Designs. I'm using it with an M1 Mac mini, and it's flawless.

Perfect

By Schuyler
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-12-13

Seamless install. Works perfectly. Thanks

Great box, small screws

By David
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-12-05

This box was great I had no issues with getting it apart and getting the card in. The screw to hold the card were a bit tough to get in, but after a few tries, I was able to get it in.

Works great with a Blackmagicdesign Decklink Duo2 card

By Jake
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-05-09

This is my second one of these for use with the Blackmagicdesign Decklink Duo2 card. Easy setup and works with no issues.

See any errors on this page? Let us know

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question

Is this compatible with the new MacBook Pro tb3?
Asked by: Benny K.
Yes, this is compatible with the new Macbook Pros that feature Thunderbolt 3. Note that they must be running OSX Sierra or newer.
Answered by: James B.
Date published: 2018-08-27

Can I fit a graphic card to this Sonnet Echo ...

Can I fit a graphic card to this Sonnet Echo Express SE I expansion System?
Asked by: Carlos
does not support the power requirements for a graphic card.
Answered by: shmuel
Date published: 2020-06-11

I'm looking to put a Blackmagic Design DeckLink ...

I'm looking to put a Blackmagic Design DeckLink Duo in this. Would it need to connect and internal power supply to the chassis or would the power supplied by the Thunderbolt be sufficient?
Asked by: Nathan
Yes, the Sonnet Echo Express SE I Thunderbolt 3 to Full-Height/Half-Length PCIe Card Expansion System BH #SOEEXPSE1T3 includes the power supply. You will need to connect it to the wall to power any card you want to use with it.
Answered by: Miguel
Date published: 2021-02-01

I currently on the Echo Express III-D. The noise ...

I currently on the Echo Express III-D. The noise is unbearable. How much noise does this unit produce in comparison?
Asked by: Matthew
It's not very noisy, but noisy enough that I had to move the device further away because my microphone did pickup the noise during live streaming. I'm actually thinking about replacing the fan with another one or eventually plugging it off to see if my Cam Link Pro can handle the heat without fan.
Answered by: Samuel
Date published: 2022-03-09

Would the DeckLink Quad 2 card work in this? It's ...

Would the DeckLink Quad 2 card work in this? It's a 8 lane pcie card.
Asked by: Nathaniel
That card is 6.3" and this enclosure can support up to 7.75" so it could work.
Answered by: Reuben
Date published: 2022-06-09

Will Black Magic Decklink 8K work in this?

Will Black Magic Decklink 8K work in this?
Asked by: Gudjon
From the information found at SonnetTech, it does not appear the card will work in 'this' version. Please refer to SonnetTech's compatibility chart at: https://www.sonnettech.com/support/downloads/manuals/TB_PCIe_Card_Compatibility.pdf From the chart, it appears the DeckLink 8K would require the SE IIIe expansion system.
Answered by: Dan
Date published: 2022-09-15

Is this compatible with the new M1 MBP?

Is this compatible with the new M1 MBP?
Asked by: Eric
Yes, this is compatible with the M1 MBP, however, this is just the shell. You will need to check the compatibility of the card that you want to use in the shell with your system. If you are looking at a DeckLink card from Black Magic Design you are good to go.
Answered by: Benjamin
Date published: 2021-05-13

My notebook has one "USB type C 3.1 Gen 1". it's ...

My notebook has one "USB type C 3.1 Gen 1". it's compatible?
Asked by: Renato
Needs to be Thunderbolt 3 for it to work.
Answered by: Anonymous
Date published: 2019-08-18
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