OWC ThunderBay 8 48TB 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array (8 x 6TB)

BH #OWTB38SRT048 • MFR #OWCTB38SRT048
OWC ThunderBay 8 48TB 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array (8 x 6TB)
Key Features
  • 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
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.
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OWC ThunderBay 8 External HDD Overview

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.

General Features
Thunderbolt 3
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.
RAID & JBOD Support
The ThunderBay 8 comes preconfigured in RAID 5, but also supports RAID 0, 1, 4, and 1+0 as well as JBOD.
Cooling
The Thunderbay 8 uses an oversized 92mm fan to keep the drives running cool and reliably.
Multi-Drive
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.
UPC: 810586034487

OWC ThunderBay 8 External HDDSpecs

Key Specs
Storage Capacity
48 TB
Included Drives
8x 6 TB 3.5" HDD
RAID
Yes, Supported RAID Modes: 5 / 0 / JBOD / 1 (Preconfigured in RAID 5)
Number of Bays
8x 2.5"/3.5" SATA
Inputs/Outputs
2x USB-C Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s)
1x DisplayPort 1.2
Drives
Storage Capacity
48 TB
Included Drives
8x 6 TB 3.5" HDD
RAID
Yes, Supported RAID Modes: 5 / 0 / JBOD / 1 (Preconfigured in RAID 5)
Transfer Rates
2586 MB/s (Read/Write)
General
Number of Bays
8x 2.5"/3.5" SATA
Inputs/Outputs
2x USB-C Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s)
1x DisplayPort 1.2
Media Card Slots
No
Software
OS Compatibility
Windows 10
macOS 10.13
macOS 10.14
macOS 10.15
Security
Security Features
Kensington Security Slot, Lockable Bay Door
Electrical
Input Power
115 to 230 VAC, 60 / 50 Hz at 1.8 to 3.5 A
Physical
Operating Conditions
41 to 95°F / 5 to 35°C 
Storage Conditions
-4 to 140°F / -20 to 60°C 
Certifications
BSMI, CE, FCC, RCM, VCCI
Cooling
1x 92 mm Fan
Dimensions
10.2 x 9.4 x 7.1" / 26 x 24 x 18 cm
Weight
16.1 lb / 7.3 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
35.2 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
18 x 18 x 16.4"

OWC ThunderBay 8 External HDD Reviews

See any errors on this page? Let us know

What hard drives are included?

What hard drives are included?
Asked by: william
Toshiba MG07ACA14TA.
Answered by: OWC Andy
Date published: 2020-09-09

What's the rebuild time for a lost disk when ...

What's the rebuild time for a lost disk when using large disks such as 18TB (144TB)?
Asked by: Stivan
RAID rebuild time is not something that can be calculated with any degree of real accuracy. Ultimately it will depend on which RAID mode you are using and the amount of data that needs to be restored as well as many other factors so we could not speculate on how long it would take exactly.
Answered by: Miguel M
Date published: 2024-01-10

What drives are included? Specifically, what ...

What drives are included? Specifically, what brand drives are they?
Asked by: Phontaine
This drive you mentioned "Seagate ST2000DM008" is a Barracuda retail drive which is not NAS rated. Can you please re-check what brand and what mfr. part number do these drives have. thanks
Answered by: Menachem
Date published: 2021-08-08

What is the warranty on this product?

What is the warranty on this product?
Asked by: Greg
On the OWC website it says 5 year warranty https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TB38SRE144/ (B&H site says 5 years as well) Btw if this enclosure houses 8 X Seagate IronWolf Pro 18TB each BH #SEST18000NE0 then is would be more economical to but the NAS Box (BH #OWTB38SRKIT0) and the drives separately and save some $438 at current prices.
Answered by: Anonymous
Date published: 2021-08-15

Does this come with Softraid software License?

Does this come with Softraid software License?
Asked by: Cameron
Yes, it is included.
Answered by: OWC Andy
Date published: 2021-08-18

What is the transfer speed when configured to ...

What is the transfer speed when configured to raid 5?
Asked by: John
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.
Answered by: Geoffrey
Date published: 2022-07-07

Does anyone know if the Apple Silicon ...

Does anyone know if the Apple Silicon compatibility issues have been solved with these units?
Asked by: Ander
Yes, OWC has fixed the communication issues with the OWC ThunderBay 8 128TB 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array (8 x 16TB) as well as all other OWC Thunderbolt drives/docks.
Answered by: Paige K
Date published: 2023-02-01

Can these units support Raid 6?

Can these units support Raid 6?
Asked by: Patrick
The OWC ThunderBay 8 96TB 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array (8 x 12TB) BH #OWTB38SRT096 SoftRaid application does not yet support RAID 6.
Answered by: Miguel M
Date published: 2022-02-01
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