Built to handle 12K raw video, 8K multi-cam sequences, batch processing of high-res images, and large data sets, the Express 4M2 Ultra Four-Slot Thunderbolt 5 External Storage Enclosure from OWC / Other World Computing is designed for DITs and filmmakers, professional video editors, VFX artists, colorists, photographers, professionals, and power users. Equipped with four NVMe M.2 SSD slots, the Express 4M2 Ultra supports four M.2 2242 or 2280 SSDs, with native support for PCIe 4.0 x1, although PCIe 5.0 and 3.0 are also supported. Depending on your choice of SSD, data transfers speeds can reach as high as 6622 MB/s when all four drives are configured as RAID 0, with single drive performance reaching as high as 1600 MB/s. OWC built the Express 4M2 Ultra with a software RAID controller that supports RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, and 10, each of which provides performance, data redundancy, or a combination of both. For those who do not need a RAID, JBOD is also available.
The Express 4M2 Ultra may be formatted for use with macOS 14 and later, Windows 11, iPadOS, Linux/Ubuntu, and Chrome. It connects to your host system using an 80 Gb/s Thunderbolt 5 port, but is backward compatible with 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt 4, 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt 3, and 40 Gb/s USB4. For system expansion, a second Thunderbolt 5 port lets your daisy-chain five additional Thunderbolt devices, including more Express 4M2 Ultras, plus one USB peripheral. An aluminum enclosure offers rugged protection while keeping the drive cool for improved performance, although additional cooling is provided by a 40mm fan that spins up to 4000 rpm. The Express 4M2 Ultra may also be used as a boot drive, but only on Mac. It is plug-and-play, meaning no drivers are required for use. Included is a Thunderbolt 5 cable, a 90W power supply, and a US power cable.
- A Mac computer with Apple Silicon M3/M4/M5 or newer with Thunderbolt 5, running via 80 Gb/s Thunderbolt 5 can achieve speeds up to 6622 MB/s
- A Mac computer with Apple Silicon M-Series with Thunderbolt 3/4, running via 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt 4 can achieve speeds up to 3200 MB/s
- A Windows computer running via 80 Gb/s Thunderbolt 5 can achieve speeds up to 6622 MB/s
- A Windows computer with USB4/Thunderbolt 4, running via 40 Gb/s USB4 can achieve speeds up to 3200 MB/s
- A Intel Mac with Thunderbolt 3, running via 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt 3 can achieve speeds up to 2800 MB/s
- DITs and filmmakers wanting to build the fastest compact NVMe SSD RAID with expandable capacity and the ability to daisy-chain additional enclosures as a massive single volume or connect devices for additional capabilities through the second Thunderbolt 5 port while experiencing maximum offload speeds and thermal stability when backing up media cards from multiple cameras on set.
- Professional video editors, VFX artists, colorists, and high-volume photographers seeking the fastest NVMe SSD RAID to handle demanding post-production and editing workflows including 12K raw video, VFX compositing work, multicam sequences in 8K RAW or ProRes video, and batch editing ultra-high-resolution pictures.
- Performance-driven professionals, power users, and technical teams who require full control over capacity, speed, and scalability. The Express 4M2 Ultra is the ultimate DIY Thunderbolt 5 NVMe RAID platform for pushing demanding workflows and data intensive applications beyond conventional limits.
- PCI Express 5.0 is engineered for higher sustained write performance, maintaining peak speeds longer during massive transfers and parallel offloads.
- PCI Express 4.0 delivers full Thunderbolt 5 bandwidth with an ideal balance of speed, efficiency, and value for most professional workflows.
- PCI Express 3.0 is great for repurposing existing drives, delivering high performance for many real-world production tasks.