OWC ThunderBay Flex 8 158TB (4x 8TB SSD/7x 18TB HDD) 8-Bay RAID Storage Solution
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OWC / Other World Computing ThunderBay Flex 8 158TB (4x 8TB SSD, 7x 18TB HDD) 8-Bay RAID 5 Array Storage Solution

SKU: OWC3F81S158X

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Q&A

Questions & Answers

FAQ

What type of drives can the ThunderBay Flex 8 accommodate?

The ThunderBay Flex 8 has eight drive bays that can support a mix of U.2/M.2 NVMe and SATA/SAS drives, providing flexible and future-proof storage options.

What type of RAID does the ThunderBay Flex 8 use?

The ThunderBay Flex 8 uses RAID 5, a type of data redundancy that helps protect against data loss in the event of a hard drive failure.

What type of connectivity options does the ThunderBay Flex 8 offer?

The ThunderBay Flex 8 is equipped with multiple connectivity options including Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and USB-A ports for device docking and charging. It also supports up to an 8K display via a built-in DisplayPort 1.4 connection.

What is the media ingest speed of the ThunderBay Flex 8?

The ThunderBay Flex 8 supports fast media ingest with front-side SD 4.0 and CFexpress card readers, offering speeds up to 985MB/s.

Who is the ThunderBay Flex 8 suitable for?

The ThunderBay Flex 8 is an ideal storage solution for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as professionals and enthusiasts who require large amounts of storage space.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

OWC / Other World Computing ThunderBay Flex 8 Specifications

  • Color

    Black

  • Material

    Aluminum

  • Number of Bays

    8
    1x 2.5"/3.5"/M.2
    7x 2.5"/3.5"

  • Storage Capacity

    158TB

  • Included Drives

    4x 8TB SSD + 7x 18TB 3.5" HDD

  • Rotational Speed

    7200 rpm

  • Initial RAID Configuration

    RAID 5

  • Mechanisms Supported

    3.5" SATA Drives
    2.5" SATA Drives
    2.5" U.2 Drives (Top 4 Bays Only)
    NVMe M.2 Drives (via U.2 Adapter)
    2.5" SAS Drives (Requires SAS Card, Not Included)
    3.5" SAS Drives (Requires SAS Card, Not Included)

  • Hot Swap Support

    Yes

  • Hot Plug Support

    Yes

  • Boot Support

    Dependent Upon Configuration. Independent Mac Volumes Should Boot in Most Scenarios

  • RAID Capable

    Yes

  • RAID Levels Supported

    RAID 0
    RAID 1
    RAID 0+1
    RAID 4
    RAID 5
    JBOD

  • RAID Features

    Software RAID

  • Expansion Slots

    1x PCIe 3.0 16x Physical, 4x Electrical, Full-Height, Half-Length, Single-Width

  • Device Ports

    1x Host Port - Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Up to 40 Gb/s (5000 MB/s)
    1x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Port
    1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Port Up to 10Gb/s (1250MB/s) - USB 2.0/3.0 Backwards Compatible
    2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Ports Up to 10Gb/s (1250MB/s) - USB 2.0/3.0 Backwards Compatible
    1x DisplayPort Port

  • Memory Card Slots

    1x CFexpress Type-B
    1x Secure Digital (SD)

  • Power Delivery

    2x Thunderbolt 3 Ports (15W, 85W)

  • Display Support by Port

    DisplayPort 1.4: Up to 8K @ 60Hz or 4K @ 120Hz
    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

  • Data Rate

    Thunderbolt 3: 40Gb/s (or 5000MB/s)

  • Data Transfer Rate (Maximum)

    Thunderbolt 3 : Up to 40 Gb/s (or 5000 MB/s)

  • Chipset

    Thunderbolt: Intel JHL7440
    PCIe Switch: ASMedia ASM-2824
    USB Controller: Genesys Logic GL-3590

  • Contact Start Stops

    Varies Depending on Drive Mechanism Installed

  • Host Port Requirements

    Thunderbolt (USB-C) Port (Backward Compatible with Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt)

  • Mac OS Compatibility

    macOS 10.15 Catalina
    macOS 11.x Big Sur
    macOS 12.x Monterey
    macOS 13.x Ventura

  • PC OS Compatibility

    Not compatible with Windows PCs

  • Driver Required

    SoftRAID Only
    The SoftRAID Driver is Installed Within the SoftRAID Application.
    For PCIe Cards That Require a Driver, Please Check the Manufacturer Web Site. Drivers for PCIe Cards must be Thunderbolt-Aware to Function.

  • Supported PCIe Cards

    Supports One Full-Height, Half-Length, Single-Width Card (Driverless or with Thunderbolt-Aware Driver). GPUs Not Supported.

  • Other Requirements

    macOS 10.15.1 or Later Required

  • External Power Adapter

    No

  • Power Supply

    Internal UL-Listed Universal Auto-Switching Power Supply

  • AC Input

    100-240V, 50-60Hz, 3.5A-7.0A

  • DC Output

    +12V, 37A

  • Wattage

    450W

  • Cooling

    1x 120mm 1,600RPM Cooling Fan

  • Security Slot

    Yes

  • Power Button

    Yes

  • Power/Activity LED

    Yes

  • Certifications

    BSMI
    CE
    FCC
    RCM
    VCCI

  • Ambient Temperature

    Operating: 50 Degree F to 95 Degree F (10 Degree C to 35 Degree C)
    Non-Operating: -40 Degree F to 149 Degree F (-40 Degree C to 65 Degree C)

  • Altitude

    Operating: -1,000' to 10,000' (-304.8m to 3,048.0m)
    Non-Operating: -1,000' to 40,000' (-304.8m to 12,192.0m)

  • Humidity

    Operating: 8% to 90% Non-Condensing
    Non-Operating: 5% to 95% Non-Condensing

  • Shock

    Operating: Varies Depending on Drive Mechanism Installed
    Non-Operating: Varies Depending on Drive Mechanism Installed

  • Noise

    Varies Depending on Drive Mechanism Installed

  • Dimensions (H x L x W)

    13.7 x 15.4 x 5.9" (34.9 x 39 x 14.9cm)

  • Weight

    20.26 lbs (9.2kg)

About OWC / Other World Computing ThunderBay Flex 8

Why settle for less when you can have the best Introducing the ThunderBay Flex 8, a high-performance, reliable, and advanced storage solution that offers an impressive 158TB capacity. This spacious and durable device is the first of its kind in the industry, offering Thunderbolt 8 storage, docking, and PCIe expansion for seamless media workflow.

Ideal for digital imaging, VFX, and video editing, the ThunderBay Flex 8 is designed with eight drive bays that can accommodate a mix of U.2/M.2 NVMe and SATA/SAS drives. This future-ready device is equipped with top four bays that can use U.2 SSDs, the emerging M&E industry storage standard.

The ThunderBay Flex 8 offers powerfully easy RAID management, allowing you to create, manage, and monitor advanced RAID sets with SoftRAID. This RAID 5 array storage solution ensures data redundancy, protecting your data against loss in case of a hard drive failure.

But the ThunderBay Flex 8 is more than just a storage device. It also serves as a docking station, offering a second Thunderbolt 3 port for daisy chaining devices or additional display(s). It features (1) USB-C and (2) USB-A 10Gb/s ports for peripherals and mobile devices, and a DisplayPort 1.4 for connecting up to an 8K display.

The ThunderBay Flex 8 also supports fast media ingest with front-side SD 4.0 and CFexpress card readers, offering speeds up to 985MB/s. It even has a PCIe slot for audio/video capture, networking, SSD storage, hardware RAID card, or I/O card.

This award-winning device is not just a big deal, it's a game-changer. Experience for yourself why the ThunderBay Flex 8 continues to be heralded as "groundbreaking" and "revolutionary." With its unprecedented speed, space, versatility, and convenience, it's the one Thunderbolt 3 desktop device that truly rules them all.

Whether you're a small or medium-sized business, a professional, or an enthusiast, the ThunderBay Flex 8 is the perfect storage solution for you. It's designed to meet your unique needs, offering muscle-flexing data performance and docking flexibility. With the ThunderBay Flex 8, you can flex your way through every workflow.

OWC / Other World Computing ThunderBay Flex 8 Features

  • Configurable Drive Performance: Mix SATA/SAS and U.2/M.2 NVMe drives for real-world 2750MB/s speed
  • Productivity Enhancing Docking: Use video/audio mixers and peripherals while charging mobile devices
  • See More Detail: Add up to an 8K display via DisplayPort 1.4
  • Import 4/8K RAW Videos and Photos: Up to 985MB/s frontside SD 4.0 and CFexpress card readers
  • Expandable for Unique Project Needs: PCIe (X16 connection with x4 lanes) slot for adding an audio/video capture, networking, SSD storage, hardware RAID, or I/O card

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Key Features

  • Uses RAID 5 for data redundancy, offering enhanced data protection and reliability
  • Supports up to an 8K display via a built-in DisplayPort 1.4 connection for high-resolution viewing

What's in the box:

  • OWC / Other World Computing ThunderBay Flex 8 158TB (4x 8TB SSD/7x 18TB HDD) 8-Bay RAID 5 Array Storage Solution
  • Thunderbolt 3 Cable
  • External Power Cable
  • Security Keys for Front Panel Lock
  • 2x Hex Key
  • SoftRAID XT Software
  • User Manual
  • OWC / Other World Computing 5 Year Limited Warranty