OWC / Other World Computing Mercury Helios 5S Thunderbolt 5 PCIe Card Expansion System

SKU: OWCTB5HELIOS MFR: OWCTB5HELIOS5S
Earn VIP Reward Points

Key Features

  • Experience lightning-fast data transfer speeds with Thunderbolt 5, boosting your workflow efficiency.
  • Expand your system's capabilities with a versatile PCIe 4.0 x4 slot for various expansion cards.
  • Connect up to three 8K displays for an immersive visual experience, perfect for creative professionals.
  • Enjoy broad compatibility with Thunderbolt 5, 4, and 3 (Mac) devices, ensuring seamless integration.
  • Benefit from robust aluminum construction, providing durability and reliable performance for your setup.
  • Power your peripherals directly with 15W power delivery from each Thunderbolt 5 port, simplifying your desk.
See More Product Details
Temporarily On Backorder?Expected Availability: 01/2026
Free Shipping

See Options

1

Need help? Ask our experts.

Overview
Compare
Specs
Protection
Q&A

Questions & Answers

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

OWC / Other World Computing Helios 5S Specifications

  • Color

    Black

  • Material

    Aluminum

  • Expansion Slots

    1x PCIe 4.0 x4 slot

  • Device Ports

    1x Host Port - Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) up to 80Gb/s
    3x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) Ports

  • Power Delivery

    Thunderbolt 5 ports each with 15W power delivery

  • Display Support

    Up to three 8K displays @ 60Hz,
    or two 8K displays @ 120Hz

  • Display Support by Port

    Thunderbolt 5 up to two 8K @ 120Hz or three 4K @ 144Hz via a native Thunderbolt 5 display or other displays that support USB-C connections and DisplayPort 2.1

  • Chipset / Controller

    Thunderbolt: Barlow Ridge JHL9480

  • Host Interface Requirements

    Thunderbolt 5
    Thunderbolt 4
    Thunderbolt 3 (Mac only)
    USB4

  • Mac OS Compatibility

    macOS 14.x Sonoma
    macOS 15.x Sequoia

  • PC OS Compatibility

    Windows 11

  • Supported PCIe Cards

    Mechanical: x16 PCIe slot
    Bandwidth: 1x PCIe 4.0 x4
    Dimensions: supports cards up to half-length, full-height, double-width
    Cards with drivers must be Thunderbolt-aware
    GPUs are not supported
    Cards that require more than 75W are not supported

  • Other Requirements

    Thunderbolt 5 Mac systems require macOS 15.3.x or later.
    Intel based systems require macOS 15.x or later.
    Thunderbolt 3 support is Mac only and requires macOS 15.x or later.
    Linux systems require the latest version of Ubuntu.

  • External Power Adapter

    Yes

  • Power Supply

    External UL-listed universal auto-switching power supply

  • AC Input

    100-240V, 50-60Hz, 1.5A

  • DC Output

    +19V, 4.74A

  • Wattage

    90W

  • Fans

    1x cooling fan

  • Security Slot

    Yes

  • Power/Activity LED(s)

    Yes
    Power with Data Connection = Solid Blue

  • Certifications

    CE
    FCC
    UKCA
    ICES
    RCM
    VCCI

  • RoHS Compliant

    Yes

  • Reach Certification

    Yes

  • Ambient Temperature

    Operating: 32 Degree F to 86 Degree F (0 Degree C to 30 Degree C)

  • Country of Origin

    Taiwan (Province of China)

  • Dimensions (H x L x W)

    3.2 x 9.2 x 5.6" (8.13 x 23.37 x 14.22cm)

  • Weight

    3.75 lbs (1.7kg)

  • UPC Code

    810179175993

About OWC / Other World Computing Helios 5S

The powerfully simple way to use PCIe cards with Thunderbolt 5/4/3 and USB4 notebooks and small form factor computers like the Mac Studio + add more Thunderbolt 5 ports.

Expand Your Capabilities Effortlessly
We get that you love your marvelously slender Mac or PC, but also understand you often wish it offered more functionality. Now with the OWC Mercury Helios 5S, you can give your notebook, small form factor, or "all in one" desktop machine pro grade, full-size workstation capabilities. Whether you want to use an ultra-fast storage, 8K video capture, audio DSP, or high-speed networking PCIe card, Mercury Helios 5S makes it easy via a single Thunderbolt or USB4 connection and with no tools required.

Plus, with three additional Thunderbolt 5 ports, it also gives you a handy next-gen connectivity hub. Embodying the heritage of innovation that has made OWC the global leader in Thunderbolt solutions, Mercury Helios 5S expands your capabilities effortlessly so you can think outside the traditional bulky desktop box when it comes to PCIe-based workflows.

Internal Class Speed
Up to 6000MB/s bandwidth available for simultaneous read/write

Widely Compatible
Use with Thunderbolt 5/4, USB4 Macs and PCs, and Thunderbolt 3 Macs

Expands Small Machines
Use video capture, high-speed fiber/Ethernet, NVMe RAID, audio I/O, and other cards to unlock the potential of MacBooks, Mac Studio, Mac mini, and other space-constrained computers lacking a PCIe slot

Whisper Quiet
Aircraft grade aluminum housing with high-efficiency, adjustable speed cooling fan provides cool, nearly silent operation

Pro Level Card Ready
(1) PCIe 4.0 x4 (x16 mechanical slot) for half-length, full-height, single or double-width (including those with daughter board) cards

Easy Card Installs
Captive thumb screws so no tools required

Expanded Connectivity
Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) 80Gb/s ports each with 15W power delivery for more device, display, and drive possibilities

Complete, Secure, and Convenient
Includes Thunderbolt 5 80Gb/s cable, power cord retainer, and auto power on/off with your computer

Full-Speed PCIe Performance Ahead
Forget the belief that internal is always faster than external. The Mercury Helios 5S delivers up to 6000MB/s of bandwidth so you can run modern PCIe 4.0 cards at full speed while still accommodating data-hungry external Thunderbolt drives. Whether you're editing multi-cam 8K footage, running real-time audio processing, or transferring terabytes across a 25GbE network card, Mercury Helios 5S gives you the performance you'd expect from an internal PCIe slot with the flexibility of an external one.

Install Cards in Seconds
Ideal for creative professionals, post-production houses and VFX teams, IT personnel, and developers whose jobs demand easy-to-use, time-saving solutions, Mercury Helios 5S features a tool-free design. Compatible with half-length, full-height, single or double-width pro-level PCIe cards from leading brands like AJA, Apogee, ATTO, AudioScience, Avid Pro Tools, Blackmagic Design, Intel, RME Audio, Solid State Logic, Universal Audio, and OWC, you can use a wide range of pro-level options in seconds

Triple Your Possibilities
With three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports, each capable of 80Gb/s throughput and 15W of power delivery, you can easily connect high-performance drives, 8K displays, or other peripherals. Whether you want to create a daisy chain of self-powered Thunderbolt devices or connect USB-C devices up to 80Gb/s, your connectivity options are unlimited with Helios 5S.

Ready for Today and Yesterday
Whether you're pushing a Thunderbolt 5 machine to its max or still relying on a trusty Thunderbolt 3/4 Mac, Mercury Helios 5S offers plug-and-play expansion across Thunderbolt and USB4 generations. Your PCIe card is secured in an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis with a nearly silent high-efficiency fan so you and the Mercury Helios 5S stay cool under pressure.

OWC / Other World Computing Helios 5S Features

  • Internal Class Speed: Up to 6000MB/s bandwidth available for simultaneous read/write
  • Widely Compatible: Use with Thunderbolt 5/4, USB4 Macs and PCs, and Thunderbolt 3 Macs
  • Whisper Quiet: Aircraft grade aluminum housing with high-efficiency, adjustable speed cooling fan provides cool, nearly silent operation
  • Pro Level Card Ready: 1x PCIe 4.0 x4 (x16 mechanical slot) for half-length, full-height, single or double-width cards
  • Easy Card Installs: Captive thumb screws so no tools required
  • Expanded Connectivity: Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) 80Gb/s ports each with 15W power delivery for more device, display, and drive possibilities

Warranty Information

This product has a limited warranty of 36 months.

Key Features

  • Experience lightning-fast data transfer speeds with Thunderbolt 5, boosting your workflow efficiency.
  • Expand your system's capabilities with a versatile PCIe 4.0 x4 slot for various expansion cards.
  • Connect up to three 8K displays for an immersive visual experience, perfect for creative professionals.
  • Enjoy broad compatibility with Thunderbolt 5, 4, and 3 (Mac) devices, ensuring seamless integration.
  • Benefit from robust aluminum construction, providing durability and reliable performance for your setup.
  • Power your peripherals directly with 15W power delivery from each Thunderbolt 5 port, simplifying your desk.

What's in the box:

  • OWC Mercury Helios 5S Thunderbolt 5 PCIe Card Expansion System
  • 2.3' Thunderbolt 5 Cable
  • 90W External Power Supply
  • 5.8' Power Cable (3-Prong IEC 05)
  • User Manual
  • OWC / Other World Computing 3 Year Limited Warranty