Overview
OWC ThunderBay 8: High-Performance Storage for Creative Professionals
Transform the way you manage your creative projects with the OWC ThunderBay 8, a high-performance, eight-drive Thunderbolt storage solution designed for professionals. Whether you're a video editor, photographer, or music producer, this storage array empowers you to work faster, store more, and protect your valuable data with unmatched reliability.
Unleash Your Creative Potential with Blazing Speed
Experience seamless performance with real-world speeds of up to 2586MB/s, perfect for editing 8K multi-stream videos or handling complex AR/VR workflows. The ThunderBay 8 ensures your projects run smoothly, allowing you to focus on crafting your vision without delays. Discover a storage solution that keeps pace with your creativity.
Store More, Worry Less
With a massive capacity of up to 192TB, the ThunderBay 8 provides ample space to store, back up, and archive your irreplaceable footage, images, and files. Whether you're managing large libraries of RAW photos or extensive video projects, this storage solution offers the flexibility to mix and match 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch HDDs and SSDs, ensuring your data is always accessible and secure.
RAID-Powered Reliability for Peace of Mind
The ThunderBay 8 comes bundled with OWC SoftRAID, the world’s most advanced RAID tool, offering flexible configurations like RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, or 1+0 (10). This powerful software not only enhances performance but also proactively monitors disk health, alerting you to potential issues before they become problems. With support for Apple RAID, Windows Disk Manager, and cross-platform sharing, your data remains protected and accessible across Mac and Windows systems.
Expand Your Workflow with Ease
Designed for versatility, the ThunderBay 8 features a second Thunderbolt port, allowing you to daisy-chain up to five additional ThunderBay 8 units or other Thunderbolt devices. Connect a 5K display, two 4K displays, or a USB-C device to create a streamlined, high Faustian workflow that adapts to your evolving needs. This expandability ensures the ThunderBay 8 grows with your creative ambitions, making it a future-proof investment for your career.
Built for Creative Professionals
From video editors and colourists to music artists and DITs, the ThunderBay 8 is trusted by professionals worldwide for its reliability and performance. Every unit undergoes rigorous burn-in testing to ensure it arrives ready for demanding use. Compatible with both Intel-based and Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3/M4) as well as Windows PCs, this storage solution integrates seamlessly into any setup, giving you the confidence to focus on your craft.
Secure Your Data, Secure Your Future
Your data is your livelihood, and the ThunderBay 8 is designed to protect it. With a locking front panel, a backside security slot, and support for redundant RAID setups like RAID 5, your files are safeguarded against disk failure. This robust security ensures your work remains safe, giving you peace of mind to push your creative boundaries.
- Edit multi-stream 4K to 8K video directly from the drive without lag, eliminating delays in post-production
- Store up to 192TB of footage, RAW images, or project files in one centralised, always-accessible location
- Experience transfer speeds of up to 2586MB/s for lightning-fast backups, rendering, and file access
- Protect critical data with advanced RAID 5 support and predictive disk health monitoring via SoftRAID
- Seamlessly integrate into Mac and Windows environments with cross-platform RAID volume compatibility
- Expand your creative setup with daisy-chaining for up to five additional Thunderbolt devices
- Keep your content safe with a locking front panel and Kensington security slot—ideal for on-site and studio use
Video
With support for up to eight drives, the OWC ThunderBay 8 is designed for creators who need fast, reliable, and expansive storage to support demanding workflows.
Compatibility
Compatible with the devices listed below.
MacBook Air
MacBook Pro
Mac Pro
iMac
Mac mini
Mac Studio
iMac Pro
Specifications
- Total Capacity
-
- 160.0TB
- Total Solution Cache Size
-
- 4096 MB
- Standard Mechanism
-
- 8 x 20.0TB Toshiba MG10 Series 7,200RPM Enterprise Capacity Hard Disk Drive with 512 MB cache
- Hot Swap Support
-
- Yes
- Drive Interface
-
- SATA 6.0 Gb/s
- Rotational Speed
-
- 7,200RPM
- Data Transfer Rate (Maximum)
-
- Thunderbolt 3: up to 40 Gb/s (or 5000 MB/s)
- Plug and Play
-
- Yes
- RAID Capable
-
- Yes
- Default RAID Level
-
- RAID 5
- RAID Levels Supported
-
- JBOD
- RAID 0
- RAID 0+1
- RAID 1
- RAID 4
- RAID 5
- RAID Features
-
- Software RAID
- Benchmark Speed, Read (Max)
-
- Up to 2419 MB/s
- Benchmark Speed, Write (Max)
-
- Up to 2412 MB/s
- Chipset
-
- SATA Controller: 2 x JMicron JMB-585
- Thunderbolt: 1 x Titan Ridge (JHL7440)
- Contact Start Stops
-
- 600,000
- Host Port Requirements
-
- Thunderbolt (USB-C) port (backward compatible with Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt)
- Mac OS Compatibility
-
- macOS 10.12 Sierra
- macOS 10.13 High Sierra
- macOS 10.14 Mojave
- macOS 10.15 Catalina
- macOS 11.x Big Sur
- macOS 12.x Monterey
- macOS 13.x Ventura
- macOS 14.x Sonoma
- macOS 15.x Sequoia
- PC OS Compatibility
-
- Windows 10 64-bit Edition
- Windows 11
- Other Requirements
-
- SoftRAID XT works with macOS 10.12 or later and Windows 10 or later. SoftRAID is licensed per computer. The SoftRAID serial number will work with both Mac and Windows but can only be active on one computer at a time. Additional seats can be purchased. RAID 4/1+0 (10) are currently Mac only at this time
- Power Supply
-
- Internal UL-listed universal auto-switching power supply
- AC Input
-
- 90-264V, 47-63Hz, 3.5A At 115V, 1.8A At 230V
- External Power Adapter
-
- No
- Number of Bays
-
- 8
- Device Ports
-
- 1 x host port - Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) up to 40 Gb/s (5000 MB/s)
- 1 x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port
- 1 x DisplayPort port
- Cooling
-
- 1 x 92 mm temperature-controlled cooling fan
- Dimensions
-
- H: 180 x L: 240 x W: 260 mm
- Weight
-
- 7300 g
What's in the box?
- 1 x OWC ThunderBay 8 External Storage Solution
- 1 x 0.7 m OWC Thunderbolt Cable
- 2 x Security Keys for Front Panel Lock
- 1 x Quick Start Guide for OWC ThunderBay 8
- 1 x 3 Years of SoftRAID Premium Access
- 1 x Quick Start Guide for OWC SoftRAID XT
Warranty
- 5 Year Limited Warranty
Part Number
- OWCTB38SRE160