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Key Features
- 8 x 2.5"/3.5" SATA Drive Bay
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 Port
- Supports RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, 10, and JBOD
- Software RAID Controller
Designed as a high-performance personal data center that offers multiple configuration options to suit ever-expanding storage needs, the ThunderBay 8 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Enclosure from OWC / Other World Computing can handle raw, 4K, large format, and VR workflows for photo, film, and video editors. Built with eight SATA drive bays that can handle 2.5" or 3.5" hard drives and SSDs, the ThunderBay 8 delivers sustained data transfer speeds of up to 2586 MB/s and connects to your host Windows or Mac system using a Thunderbolt 3 port, while a second Thunderbolt 3 port can be used to daisy-chain up to six ThunderBay 8 enclosures, or power one 5K/60 Hz display or two 4K/60 Hz displays. Thanks to the SoftRAID software RAID controller, which is sold separately, the ThunderBay 8 can be configured as RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, or 10, each of which offers performance, data redundancy, or a combination of both. For those who do not require a RAID, JBOD is available.
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Will it handle 18TB or even 20TB hard drive?
Will it handle 18TB or even 20TB hard drive?
At this time we have not tested with 20TB drives, 18TB drives have been certified though.
Date published: 2024-04-29
Is it possible to use one bay for m.2 ssd with ...
Is it possible to use one bay for m.2 ssd with additional adapter like in some other owc models ?
If you can find an appropriate M.2 to SATA adapter.
Date published: 2022-03-07
Which specific drives do I have to install to get ...
Which specific drives do I have to install to get the stated data transfer speeds of up to 2586 MB/s?
To get the fastest speeds with the OWC ThunderBay 8 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Enclosure, you'd need to use 2.5" SATA III SSDs in RAID 0.
Date published: 2025-03-11
Is there any way to set this system up to be ...
Is there any way to set this system up to be "hot-swappable", meaning adding a larger capacity drive(s) to increase space without re-formatting? Something similar to Synology's SHR or Drobo's BeyondRAID?
So what does OWC mean when they say that this unit has "Eight hot-swappable universal drive bays": https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/thunderbay-8/thunderbolt-3
I want to buy the empty version and start out with 2 drives. So if I wanted to gradually add a drives to the other slots I would have to rebuild the raid image each time a new drive is added? I now the answer is yes (according to the 2 answers).
Also, where is the instruction manual for this unit? I can find the ones for the other models, but not this one.
Date published: 2022-07-25
Will this enclosure handle the OWC 8TB U2 Shuttle ...
Will this enclosure handle the OWC 8TB U2 Shuttle One?
This enclosure does not support the U.2 form factor.
Date published: 2022-06-26
Can I run this as RAID 6 with a 3rd party ...
Can I run this as RAID 6 with a 3rd party software as softraid currently does not support RAID 6 ?
Yes, the OWC ThunderBay 8 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Enclosure will support RAID 6 via another external software.
Date published: 2024-04-29
The serial number on the bottom does not work as ...
The serial number on the bottom does not work as for SoftRAID license. How do I get the license?
The OWC ThunderBay 8 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Enclosure, B&H # OWCTB38JBKIT, does not come with SoftRaid XT. Model OWC ThunderBay 8 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 Raid Array with SoftRAID XT. B&H # OWTB38SRKIT0, does include SoftRAID XT.
Date published: 2023-12-21
Hi, Can you provide specs or link? Thanks
Hi, Can you provide specs or link? Thanks
Product Specifications
Mechanisms Supported
Eight (8) 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives
Display Support
Up to two 4K displays @ 60Hz,
or one 5K display @ 60Hz
Display Support by Port
Thunderbolt 3: Up to 5K @ 60Hz via a native Thunderbolt 3 display or 4K @ 60Hz via a Thunderbolt display or a USB-C display adapter
DisplayPort 1.2: Up to 4K @ 60Hz
Bootable
Mac only
Hot Swap Support
Yes
Chipset
Thunderbolt: (1) Intel JHL-6540
SATA Controller: (2) JMicron JMB-585
Certifications
CE, FCC, VCCI, RCM, BSMI
Data Transfer Rate (Maximum)
Thunderbolt 3 : 40 Gb/s (or 5000 MB/s)
Plug and Play
Yes
RAID
RAID Capable
Yes
RAID Levels Supported
JBOD
RAID Features
Software RAID
Reliability
MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)
Varies depending on drive mechanism installed
Contact Start Stops
Varies depending on drive mechanism installed
Compatibility
Mac OS Compatibility
macOS 10.12 Sierra
macOS 10.13 High Sierra
macOS 10.14 Mojave
macOS 10.15 Catalina
macOS 11.1 Big Sur
PC OS Compatibility
Windows 10 64-bit Edition
Other Requirements
SoftRAID XT works with macOS 10.12 or later and Windows 10. Intel-based Macs require macOS 10.12 or later. M1 Macs require macOS 11.1 or 11.3 and later.
Host Port Requirements
Thunderbolt 3 port
Driver Required
No
Power
Power Supply
Internal UL-listed universal auto-switching power supply
AC Input
90-264V, 47-63Hz, 3.5A At 115V, 1.8A At 230V
DC Output
+12V, 25A
Wattage
300 Watts
External Power Adapter
No
Physical
Number of Bays
8
Device Ports
(2) Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Ports
(1) DisplayPort Port
Cooling
(1) 92mm cooling fan
Security Slot
Yes
Power Button
Yes
Power/Activity LED
Yes
Housing Color
Black
Housing Material
Aluminum
Dimensions
Height: 18.0 cm (7.1 in)
Length: 24.0 cm (9.4 in)
Width: 26.0 cm (10.2 in)
Weight
7.3 kg (16.14 lbs)
Environmental
Ambient Temperature
Operating: 41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C)
Non-Operating: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C)
Altitude
Operating: -304.8 m to 3,048.0 m (-1,000 ft to 10,000 ft)
Non-Operating: -304.8 m to 12,192.0 m (-1,000 ft to 40,000 ft)
Humidity
Operating: 8% to 90% non-condensing
Non-Operating: 5% to 95% non-condensing
Acoustics
Noise
Varies depending on drive mechanism installed
Notes
Intel JHL-6540 chipset supports two 4K displays (4096 x 2160 30bpp @ 60 Hz) or a single 5K display.
Date published: 2021-05-03