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Review Summary
Black
Aluminum
1x PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
1x Host Port - Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) up to 80Gb/s
3x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) Ports
Thunderbolt 5 ports each with 15W power delivery
Up to three 8K displays @ 60Hz,
or two 8K displays @ 120Hz
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
Thunderbolt: Barlow Ridge JHL9480
Thunderbolt 5
Thunderbolt 4
Thunderbolt 3 (Mac only)
USB4
macOS 14.x Sonoma
macOS 15.x Sequoia
Windows 11
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
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.
Yes
External UL-listed universal auto-switching power supply
100-240V, 50-60Hz, 1.5A
+19V, 4.74A
90W
1x cooling fan
Yes
Yes
Power with Data Connection = Solid Blue
CE
FCC
UKCA
ICES
RCM
VCCI
Yes
Yes
Operating: 32 Degree F to 86 Degree F (0 Degree C to 30 Degree C)
Taiwan (Province of China)
3.2 x 9.2 x 5.6" (8.13 x 23.37 x 14.22cm)
3.75 lbs (1.7kg)
810179175993
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.
https://www.owc.com/owc-hardware-warranties
866-692-7100