OWC ThunderBay 8

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OWC ThunderBay 8

Eight-Bay Thunderbolt (40Gb/s) External Storage Enclosure for 2.5-inch and 3.5-in SATA Drives

Used | OWC Tested


Mfr P/N: TB38JBKIT0 OWC SKU: OWCTB38JBKIT0U

The Storage Array Built for Creative Pros

  • Work faster: up to 2586MB/s1 real-world speed for up to 8K multi-stream video editing and AR/VR workflows
  • Work bigger: access, backup, and archive irreplaceable footage, images, and files on either HDD or SSD storage
  • Built for RAID: just add your own RAID management software, like OWC SoftRAID; the fastest and most flexible RAID 0/1/4/5/1+0 (10) tool. Also supports Apple RAID and Windows Disk Manager.
  • Expansive: daisy-chain up to five additional ThunderBay 8 or other Thunderbolt storage devices via the second Thunderbolt port
  • Flexible: mix and match 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch HDDs and SSDs
  • 1 Year OWC Limited Warranty
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Overview

“Manages large libraries of video and audio production files… outstandingly well after months of constant use.”

macrumors.com

“More than enough for editing RAW photos in Lightroom, and… I was really happy to see… it was fast enough to be directly editing 4K video projects directly off the ThunderBay”

Todd Dominey (watch the entire YouTube review)
OWC ThunderBay 8 in Edit Bay

Pro Storage Built by Creators for Creators

We understand your needs as a creative professional, and we understand that every project is unique. We designed ThunderBay 8 with the speed, capacity, and flexibility to adapt to your evolving needs. Whether you’re changing cameras from a Sony FX9 to a Canon C300 or RED KOMODO, ThunderBay 8 has you covered.

How Much Video Footage You Can Store

RAID 0

RAID 5

XAVC Intra 4K Class 300
10-bit at 23.976fps - 100GB/hour

up to
1600 hours

up to
1400 hours

ProRes 422 HQ 4K
at 23.976fps - 396GB/hour

up to
404 hours

up to
354 hours

REDCODEC RAW 8K
at 8:1 compression and 23.976fps - 571GB/hour

up to
280 hours

up to
245 hours

The Storage Epicenter to Build Your Creative Career

Performance Icon

Work Faster

Up to 2586MB/s1 real-world speed for up to 8K multi-stream video editing and AR/VR workflows.

Bigger Icon

Work Bigger

Access, backup, and archive up to 160TB of irreplaceable footage, images, and files on either HDD or SSD storage.

RAID Icon

Built for RAID

Just add your own RAID management software like just add your own RAID management software, like OWC SoftRAID; the fastest and most flexible RAID 0/1/4/5/1+0 (10) tool. Also supports Apple RAID and Windows Disk Manager.

Expansive Icon

Expansive

Daisy-chain up to five additional ThunderBay 8 or other Thunderbolt storage devices via the second Thunderbolt port.

The Pro Storage Choice

Video Editors, Colorists, VFX Compositors, DITs, Music Artists, and more...

"We're using ThunderBays because reliability is huge for us. If we're on tour and need to bring in a piece of gear into the workflow, it just must work. There's no time for troubleshooting..."

Trevor, Billie Eilish Music Technician / Global Tour

"Our primary drive is the ThunderBay 8. We cut the whole movie in 4K and it handled everything we could throw. It was our production workhorse and the central piece of gear to our workflow."

Geoffrey, Post Production / San Francisco, USA

"Enterprise-grade stuff made up to a spec and not down to a price. With their reputation and my experience, I knew I could trust OWC to deliver a product I could trust to work the first time."

Mike, Founder of Pro Tools Expert / Manchester, GB

"When I'm back at my desk editing this footage, I use a ThunderBay. I'm getting scary fast read and write speeds to this drive… I'm not only storing 70+ TB's of footage on this thing, but editing off it in real time in 4k, 6k, 8k."

Thomas, Buffnerds YouTube Channel / Los Angeles, USA

OWC ThunderBay 8 in daisy chain

Mac-Ready Across the Board

ThunderBay 8 checks all the functional boxes to make you a more efficient content creator: lightning-fast data access, massive capacity, centralized file location and it works with Macs ( Intel-based as well as the latest Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3/M4 machines) and Windows PCs. What makes ThunderBay 8 the best 8 bay storage solution available is its ability to give you peace of mind your data is safely protected today and tomorrow. Gone is the fear of a costly slow down – or gulp – losing irreplaceable data because you didn’t select the right RAID solution.

The Most Powerful RAID Tool on the Planet.

SoftRAID is the world’s fastest and most flexible application to configure, maintain, and protect your RAID volumes on Mac and PC. OWC enclosures include 3 Years of SoftRAID Premium.

  • High-Performance RAID 0/1/4/5/1+0 (10) volumes
  • Predictive Health Monitoring proactively notifies of Volume and Disk issues well before failure — provided on your computer and remotely
  • Seamless Cross-Platform Sharing with support for Apple-formatted APFS and HFS+ SoftRAID volumes between Mac and Windows at no additional cost
  • 35+ Years of Experience of Pro Support to provide peace-of-mind with setup help, ongoing questions, or urgent disk issues
  • And many more unique features.
  • Learn more about SoftRAID

M1 Macs require macOS 11.3 or later. SoftRAID is licensed per computer.

iMac Pro with SoftRAID
Two video editors at editing bay

Daisy-Chain Possibilities

ThunderBay 8 isn’t just about high capacity, high-performance storage. It’s about giving you all the options you need to work at your best. Attach a 5K Thunderbolt display or two 4K displays. Place a USB-C device at the end of a daisy chain. With an extra Thunderbolt port, you have the flexibility to add to your daisy-chain and master any task at hand.

OWC ThunderBay 8 on desktop
OWC ThunderBay 8 rear view
OWC ThunderBay 8 front view

A Data Safe-House

With a locking front panel and backside security slot, the ThunderBay 8 is like a safe house for precious data. Additionally, implementing a redundant RAID setup, such as RAID 5 on SoftRAID, will protect against data loss from disk failure.

Professional Grade = Ready to Work

We understand having confidence in gear reliability is paramount to creative professionals. That’s why every ThunderBay 8 undergoes OWC's multi-hour "burn-in" performance certification prior to shipping. This ensures your ThunderBay 8 arrives operating properly and immediately ready for demanding use.

OWC ThunderBay 8 on test bench
OWC Thunderbolt Cable

OWC Thunderbolt Cable Included

OWC Thunderbolt Pro Dock comes with a certified 0.7M OWC Thunderbolt Cable. But if your workflow demands a different length to make the connection, OWC Thunderbolt (USB-C) Cables are the perfect choice.

OWC ClingOn

Work with Ultimate Confidence

Active workspaces expose gear to unexpected bumps and shoves. OWC ClingOn custom cable stabilizers (sold separately) screw into the OWC Dock or OWC Drive housing to reduce – if not completely eliminate – cable strain on Thunderbolt and USB-C connections so you can work with ultimate confidence even in the highest foot traffic environments.

  1. Sequential read/write performance with 8 x 2.0TB Mercury Extreme Pro 6G SSD in RAID 0 connected to iMac Pro Late 2017 (iMacPro1,1) with 32GB RAM and 3.2GHz processor running AJA System Test (4K-Full resolution, 64GB file size, 10bit RGB codec, single file test).

IncludesIncludes

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  • (1) OWC ThunderBay 8 External Storage Enclosure
  • (1) 0.7M (28") Thunderbolt Cable
  • (1) US Power Cable
  • (2) Security Keys for Front Panel Lock
  • (1) OWC ThunderBay 8 Getting Started Insert Card
  • (1) Support Manual for OWC ThunderBay 8 (Digital)
  • 1 Year OWC Limited Warranty

    Drive Bays

    • 8 bays supporting: 2.5-inch SATA drives, 3.5-inch SATA drives

    Plug and Play

    • Yes

    Hot Swap Support

    • Yes

    Boot Support

    • Mac only. Boot Camp is not supported.

    RAID Capable

    • Yes

    RAID Levels Supported

    • JBOD

    RAID Features

    • Software RAID Capable

    Device Ports

    • (1) Host Port - Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) up to 40Gb/s (5000MB/s)
    • (1) Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Port
    • Either Thunderbolt (USB-C) port can be used as the host port

    Power Delivery

    • Thunderbolt 3 ports each provide up to 15W of power to the host computer or attached device.1

    Display Support

    • Up to one 5K display @ 60Hz,
    • or one 4K display @ 60Hz

    Display Support by Port

    • 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 Transfer Rate (Maximum)

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

    Chipset / Controller

    • Thunderbolt: (1) Titan Ridge (JHL7440)
    • SATA Controller: (2) JMicron (JMS-585B)

    MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)

    • Varies depending on drive mechanism installed

    Contact Start Stops

    • Varies depending on drive mechanism installed

    Host Interface Requirements

    • Thunderbolt (USB-C) port (backward compatible with Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt1)

    Mac OS Compatibility

    • 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 Server 2022
    • Windows 11

    Driver Required

    • No

    Other Requirements

    • SoftRAID works with macOS 10.14 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.

    External Power Adapter

    • No

    Power Supply

    • Internal UL-listed universal auto-switching power supply

    AC Input

    • 90-264V, 47-63Hz, 3.5A At 115V, 1.8A At 230V

    DC Output

    • +12V, 25A

    Wattage

    • 300W

    Cooling

    • (1) 92mm cooling fan

    Security Slot

    • Yes

    Power Button

    • Yes

    Power/Activity LED

    • Yes

    Housing Color

    • Black

    Housing Material

    • Aluminum

    Dimensions

    • Height: 18.0 cm (7.1 in)
    • Length: 24.0 cm (9.4 in)
    • Width: 26.0 cm (10.2 in)

    Weight

    • 7.3 kg (16.14 lbs)

    Certifications

    • CE, FCC, VCCI, RCM, BSMI

    Country of Origin

    • Taiwan

    TAA Compliance

    • Yes

    Ambient Temperature

    • Operating: 41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C)
    • Non-Operating: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C)

    Altitude

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

    Humidity

    • Operating: 8% to 90% non-condensing
    • Non-Operating: 5% to 95% non-condensing

    Noise

    • Varies depending on drive mechanism installed
    1. Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt compatibility requires a certified Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable (not included). This configuration provides data transfer at up to 20Gb/s but does not support notebook charging.
    2. Intel JHL-6540 chipset supports two 4K displays (4096 x 2160 30bpp @ 60 Hz) or a single 5K display.
    3. The following Apple silicon M1 and M2 Mac models support a single display over a Thunderbolt port:
      - MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020) - MacBookPro17,1
      - MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022) - Mac14,7
      - MacBook Air (M1, 2020) - MacBookAir10,1
      - MacBook Air (M2, 2022) - Mac14,2
      - Mac mini (M1, 2020) - Macmini9,1
    4. The following Mac models provide only partial support for DisplayPort 1.4, including limiting resolution to 5K or 6K at 60Hz. Please review Apple's display specifications for your specific Mac to determine the maximum supported resolution and color depth:
      - MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) - MacBookPro15,1
      - MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) - MacBookPro15,2
      - MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) - MacBookPro15,2
      - MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019) - MacBookPro15,1 and MacBookPro15,3
      - MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - MacBookPro15,4
      - MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) - MacBookPro16,1 and MacBookPro16,4
      - MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) - MacBookPro16,2
      - MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - MacBookPro16,3
      - MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018) - MacBookAir8,1
      - MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019) - MacBookAir8,2
      - MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020) - MacBookAir9,1
      - iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019) - iMac19,1
      - iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019) - iMac19,2
      - iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) - iMac20,1 and iMac20,2
      - Mac mini (2018) - Macmini8,1
      - Mac Pro (2019) - MacPro7,1
      - Mac Pro (Rack, 2019) - MacPro7,1

    4.66 out of 5

    50 out of 56 (89%) reviewers would recommend this product

    Write a Review
    80%
    11%
    5%
    2%
    2%

    OWC Always the Best!

    Great deal, fast, perfect for my video editing needs.

    I would recommend this product to a friend!

    Verified Purchase
    Verified PurchaseVerified Purchase.
    ChuckFloramo, 
    Apr, 17 2025 
    • Reviewer:ChuckFloramo
    Response from OWC, Support

    Wow, thank you so much for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear that OWC products are meeting your video editing needs perfectly. It’s fantastic to know you found a great deal and that our fast service made a positive impact on your experience. Your satisfaction means the world to us, and we can’t wait to continue supporting you in your creative endeavors!


    12 bay Storage. NOT GOOD

    Not happy at all. I like to return it. 1. Software is not included. $80/year 2. Performance is NOT good. 600-700MB/Sec for RAID 5. Should be well over 1000. 3. TB4 cable is too short. Had to buy another one. The hardware quality is good however. Software should nbc included. NOT the baritone which they give for free. Promise hardware includes the software and I get over 1500MB/Sec.

    Verified Purchase
    Verified PurchaseVerified Purchase.
    Reviewer2674382148, 
    • Reviewer:Reviewer2674382148
    Response from OWC, Support

    We're sorry to hear that you're not happy with your purchase. The unit you selected is an 8-bay ThunderBay, not a 12-bay storage system. Additionally, the version you purchased does not include SoftRAID—we offer models with a 3-year SoftRAID license, but unfortunately, the one you selected does not. Regarding performance, speeds can vary depending on the drives used, RAID configuration, and workload. If you're experiencing lower-than-expected speeds, we'd be happy to troubleshoot and help optimize your setup. As for the Thunderbolt 4 cable length, we understand that different setups require different cable lengths, and we do offer longer cables separately. We appreciate your feedback and are happy to assist further if needed. Please contact our support team, and we’ll do our best to help! https://eshop.macsales.com/Service/


    Great Raid Enclosure

    I have a couple of these units now, and really like them. They work great and I've had not problems.

    I would recommend this product to a friend!

    Verified Purchase
    Verified PurchaseVerified Purchase.
    Reviewer4286076110, 
    Feb, 7 2025 
    • Reviewer:Reviewer4286076110
    Response from OWC, Support

    Thank you for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you love our RAID enclosures and that they've been working great for you. It's awesome that you have a couple of them now — clearly, you've found the perfect fit for your needs! Your satisfaction means the world to us, and we appreciate your support!


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