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OWC ThunderBay 4 16TB 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array (4 x 4TB)

BH #OWTB3SRT160S • MFR #OWCTB3SRT16.0S
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OWC ThunderBay 4 16TB 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array (4 x 4TB)
Key Features
  • 4 x 4TB 7200 rpm SATA III 3.5" HDDs
  • 4 x 3.5"/2.5" SATA III 6 Gb/s Drive Bays
  • Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) Interface
  • RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, 10, and JBOD
Add RAID 5 storage to your Mac or Windows computer with the ThunderBay 4 16TB 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array from OWC / Other World Computing. As you can guess from its name, the ThunderBay 4 features dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, which utilize the USB Type-C connector. There is also a DisplayPort 1.2 port for connecting up to a 4K display.
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OWC ThunderBay 4 External HDD Overview

Add RAID 5 storage to your Mac or Windows computer with the ThunderBay 4 16TB 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array from OWC / Other World Computing. As you can guess from its name, the ThunderBay 4 features dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, which utilize the USB Type-C connector. There is also a DisplayPort 1.2 port for connecting up to a 4K display.

The ThunderBay 4 has four drive bays, which supports both 2.5" and 3.5" hard drives (2.5" HDDs do not need adapters). This particular ThunderBay 4 model comes with four 4TB 3.5" 7200 rpm drives for a total of 16TB storage capacity. The included drives are configured in RAID 5. With RAID 5, you get protection against a single drive failure. Three of the hard drives are used for storage while one hard drive is used for parity. If you want to reformat to RAID 0 or 1, 4, or 1+0, you can use the included SoftRAID software or the Windows Disk Management utility. This RAID array is compatible with macOS 10.12 or later and Windows 10 and later.

General Features
Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt 3 is a hardware interface that utilizes 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 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. Please note, a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 3 host connection is required.
RAID & JBOD Support
The ThunderBay 4 comes pre-configured in RAID 5, but also supports RAID 0, 1, 4, 10, and JBOD.

Please note that the included SoftRAID license provides 3 years of coverage.

Time-Tested Cooling
Built on OWC's time-tested enclosure cooling technology, the Thunderbay 4 utilizes an open "flow-thru" vented design with an over-sized 92mm, low turbulence, noise-quieting fan to keep the drives running cool and reliably.
Multi-Drive
Daisy-chain up to six ThunderBay 4s for more storage capabilities and increased performance, or connect multiple ThunderBay 4s to multiple Thunderbolt 3 ports to achieve higher speed capabilities.
Vibration Dampened
The ThunderBay 4's drive isolating design reduces sonic resonance and is aided by over-sized, rugged, vibration-absorbing, non-skid feet.
DisplayPort 1.2 Support
Dual Thunderbolt ports let you connect the display of your choice that your computer can support, including 4K displays.
OWC Thunderbolt Cable
The ThunderBay 4 comes with a certified OWC Thunderbolt 3 cable.
UPC: 812437029703

OWC ThunderBay 4 External HDD Specs

Key Specs
Storage Capacity
16 TB
Included Drives
4x 4 TB SATA III 3.5" HDD
RAID
Yes: Supported RAID Modes: 0 / 1 / 5 / JBOD (Preconfigured in RAID 5)
Number of Bays
4x 2.5"/3.5" SATA III
Inputs/Outputs
2x USB-C Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s)
Drives
Storage Capacity
16 TB
Included Drives
4x 4 TB SATA III 3.5" HDD
RAID
Yes: Supported RAID Modes: 0 / 1 / 5 / JBOD (Preconfigured in RAID 5)
Transfer Rates
585 MB/s (Read)
607 MB/s (Write)
General
Number of Bays
4x 2.5"/3.5" SATA III
Inputs/Outputs
2x USB-C Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s)
Media Card Slots
No
PCI Expansion
No
Software
OS Compatibility
Windows 10 or Later
macOS 10.12 or Later
Security
Encryption
No
Security Features
Kensington Security Slot
Electrical
Input Power
100 to 230 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
Physical
Operating Conditions
50 to 95°F / 10 to 35°C
Storage Conditions
-40 to 149°F / -40 to 65°C
Cooling
1x 92 mm Fan
Dimensions
9.6 x 7 x 5.3" / 243.8 x 177.8 x 134.6 mm
Weight
12.6 lb / 5.7 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
18.5 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
15.7 x 14.3 x 10.9"

OWC ThunderBay 4 External HDD Reviews

Easy setup

By RICHARD
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-03-29

Easily set up on my MacBook Air. Flawless performance

Have 4 of these OWC ThunderBay Raid Drives

By Breckenridge Co
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2025-01-21

As far as the ThunderBay external hard drives from Other World Computer are concerned they are great and of good quality. Where the problem is is in the raid software that comes with them. SoftRaid does not work with Apple OS Sequoia on a late 4M MacBook Pro. My humble opinion is that Apple has screwed up their OS so bad that OWC (a good company) can't keep up with Apple's gross incompetence.

See any errors on this page?

What version of softraid XT currently ships with ...

What version of softraid XT currently ships with these drives?
Asked by: Ben
Most likely you will have a SoftRAID XT 5 key. This can be upgraded to a SoftRAID 6 key though at this web page. https://software.owcdigital.com/softraid-upgrades/#toggle-id-2-closed
Answered by: OWC Andy
Date published: 2021-05-06

If I currently have Thunderbolt 2 connections on ...

If I currently have Thunderbolt 2 connections on my macbook pro, but am planning to upgrade to one with thunderbolt 3, is there an adapter I can buy now that will allow me to use this drive with thunderbolt 2 until I upgrade my macbook?
Asked by: Tim
The Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter will work.
Answered by: OWC Andy
Date published: 2020-05-13

Can this be configured as RAID 10 using Apple's ...

Can this be configured as RAID 10 using Apple's DiskUtility?
Asked by: Jon
Yes, the OWC ThunderBay 4 48TB 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Array (4 x 12TB, RAID 5 Enterprise Edition) can support RAID 10.
Answered by: Alex D
Date published: 2025-04-07

I only have USB 3.1 port. Can i use usb C to usb ...

I only have USB 3.1 port. Can i use usb C to usb 3.1 Cable or adapter for connect ? And if one of them has problem, can I keep my data? Or it will lose ?
Asked by: Liam
I'm sorry, but it will not run via USB-C or 3.1 with an adapter. This requires a native Thunderbolt connection.
Answered by: OWC Andy
Date published: 2020-07-06

can you switch raid from 5 to 0 after it's nearly ...

can you switch raid from 5 to 0 after it's nearly full to use the extra storage once in Raid 0? Switch RAIDS without formatting?
Asked by: mark
No, reformatting would be required.
Answered by: OWC Andy
Date published: 2021-08-03

Is it password protected?

Is it password protected?
Asked by: Drew
The OWC ThunderBay 4 24TB 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array (4 x 6TB) BH #OWTB3SRT240S does not ship with password protection software but you could use third party utilities to password protect it.
Answered by: Miguel M
Date published: 2021-08-20

Does it come with the drives?

Does it come with the drives?
Asked by: Diane
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."
Answered by: Gregorio M.
Date published: 2021-05-14

I work on a PC running Mac Drive 10. I use mac ...

I work on a PC running Mac Drive 10. I use mac drives all the time on this PC. Will I be able to operate this RAID if the Software for PCs is still in it's Beta stage?
Asked by: Robert
Yes
Answered by: patrick
Date published: 2020-12-31
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