58TB OWC ThunderBay Flex 8
Eight-Drive Thunderbolt Storage, Docking, and Expansion Solution
Mfr P/N: TB3F81N058 OWC SKU: OWCTB3F81N058
$8.99 off - Thunderbolt 2 Compatibility Bundle - Add an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter (APLMMEL2AMA) and save! (Limit 3)
Must purchase with: Apple Genuine Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
The Industry's First Thunderbolt 3 All-In-Wonder
- Eight drive bays: Pre-configured with a U.2 NVMe SSD in the first bay and seven enterprise class SATA hard drives in the remaining bays
- Reconfigurable: Use a mix of SATA/SAS and U.2/M.2 NVMe drives for virtually limitless capacity and real-world speeds up to 2750MB/s
- Future ready: top four bays can use U.2 SSDs…the emerging M&E industry storage standard
- Includes SoftRAID: robust software for creating, monitoring, and managing advanced RAID sets
- Do more: second Thunderbolt 3 port for daisy chaining devices or additional display(s)
- See more: DisplayPort 1.4 for connecting up to an 8K display
- Fast media ingest: front-side SD 4.0 and CFexpress card readers with up to 985MB/s speed
- Play your card: (1) PCIe slot for audio/video capture, networking, SSD storage, hardware RAID card, or I/O card
- Innergize™ Enabled: custom OWC software for complete health, performance, and field upgrade management when using OWC Atlas Memory Cards with OWC Atlas Card Readers and card reader-equipped products
- 5 Year OWC Limited Warranty
1 NVMe SSD + 7 HDD Maximum Workflow Configuration
Flex Your Way Through Every Workflow
NVMe. PCIe. What’s It Mean to Me?
Muscle-FLEXing Data Performance
Docking FLEXibility
FLEXpandable for Unique Needs
The Most Powerful RAID Tool on the Planet.
- 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
- 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
A Protective, Economical Post-Production Solution
End-To-End Workflow Possibilities
OWC Thunderbolt cable Included
Innergize Your Workflow with Highest Performance and Reliability
- Health: Over time and use cycles, flash memory does wear out. Innergize verifies and reports the percentage of use life remaining. Now you can work with full confidence your OWC Atlas memory card will deliver the reliability you can trust.
- Sanitize: Writes, deletes, and formatting all take their toll on memory cards. Innergize cleans and restores the flash memory performance of your OWC Atlas memory card so you can get the best results on every use.
- Field Upgrade: When new cameras or firmware updates to existing cameras are introduced, they may not work properly with flash memory cards. Innergize gives OWC Atlas memory card users the ability to quickly upgrade their firmware in the field for full compatibility, additional performance enhancements, and bug fixes for optimal reliability.
- SAS drives are supported with SAS drive controller card (available separately).
- Up to four U.2 drives are supported. M.2 drives are also supported with M.2 to U.2 adapter (available separately).
- Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt compatibility requires a certified Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable (available separately). This configuration provides data transfer at up to 20Gb/s but does not support notebook charging.
- Full DisplayPort 1.4 capabilities depends on host computer support of DisplayPort 1.4 specification through its Thunderbolt 3 connection, host computer GPU capabilities, and connecting cable capabilities.
- SoftRAID works with macOS 10.14+, Windows 10+, and Windows Server 2019/2022. M1 Macs require macOS 11.3 or later.
- SoftRAID is licensed per computer.
Includes
Back to top- (1) OWC ThunderBay Flex 8 External Storage Solution
- (1) 0.7M (28") Thunderbolt Cable
- (1) US Power Cable
- (2) Security Keys for Front Panel Lock
- (1) Hex Key
- (1) Quick Start Guide for OWC ThunderBay Flex 8
- (1) Quick Start Guide for OWC ThunderBay Flex 8
- (1) Assembly Manual & User Guide for OWC ThunderBay Flex 8
- (1) 3 Years of SoftRAID Premium Access (License located on device)
- (1) Quick Start Guide for OWC SoftRAID (Digital)
- 5 Year OWC Limited Warranty
Specs
Back to topDrive Bays
- 4 bays supporting: 2.5-inch SATA drives, 3.5-inch SATA drives, 2.5-inch U.2 drives, M.2 drives (with M.2 to U.2 adapter), 2.5-inch SAS drives (with SAS drive controller card), 3.5-inch SAS drives (with SAS drive controller card)
- 4 bays supporting: 2.5-inch SATA drives, 3.5-inch SATA drives, 2.5-inch SAS drives (with SAS drive controller card), 3.5-inch SAS drives (with SAS drive controller card)
Total Capacity
- 64000GB Useable Capacity
- Total Capacity: 64192GB
- 192GB Allocated to real-time data redundancy and error correction
Total Solution Cache Size
- 1792 MB
Drive Mechanism
- (7) 8.0TB Toshiba MG08-D Series 7,200RPM Enterprise Class Hard Disk Drive with 256 MB cache
- (4) 2.0TB OWC U2 ShuttleOne 2.5-inch NVMe U.2 Solid-State Drive
- *OWC reserves the right to replace or upgrade to equivalent or better components.
Hot Swap Support
- Yes
Hot Plug Support
- Yes
Boot Support
- Dependent upon configuration. Independent Mac volumes should boot in most scenarios.. Boot Camp is not supported.
RAID Capable
- Yes
RAID Levels Supported
- RAID 0
- RAID 1
- RAID 0+1
- RAID 4
- RAID 5
- JBOD
RAID Features
- Software RAID
Expansion Slots
- (1) PCIe 3.0 x16 physical, x4 electrical, full-height, half-length, single-width
Device Ports
- (1) Host Port - Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) up to 40Gb/s (5000MB/s)
- (1) Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Port
- (1) USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Port up to 10Gb/s (1250MB/s) - USB 2.0/3.0 backwards compatible
- (2) USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Ports up to 10Gb/s (1250MB/s) - USB 2.0/3.0 backwards compatible
- (1) DisplayPort Port
Memory Card Slots
- (1) CFexpress 2.0 Type B
- (1) SD
Power Delivery
- Thunderbolt 3 host port provides up to 85W of power to the host computer.1
- Thunderbolt 3 device port (for external drives and other devices) provides 15W of power.
Display Support
- Up to one 8K display @ 60Hz,
- or one 4K display @ 120Hz,
- or one 5K display @ 60Hz,
- or one 4K display @ 60Hz and one 4K display @ 30Hz,
- or one 4K display @ 60Hz,
- or one 4K display @ 30Hz,
- or two 4K displays @ 60Hz
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 40Gb/s (or 5000MB/s)
Chipset / Controller
- Thunderbolt: Intel JHL7440
- PCIe Switch: ASMedia ASM-2824
- USB Controller: Genesys Logic GL-3590
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 10.15 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
- 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
- (1) 120mm 1,600RPM cooling fan
Security Slot
- Yes
Power Button
- Yes
Power/Activity LED
- Yes
Housing Color
- Black
Housing Material
- Aluminum
Dimensions
- Height: 34.9 cm (13.7 in)
- Length: 39.0 cm (15.4 in)
- Width: 14.9 cm (5.9 in)
Weight
- 14.1 kg (31.06 lbs)
Certifications
- BSMI
- CE
- FCC
- RCM
- VCCI
Ambient Temperature
- Operating: 50°F to 95°F (10°C to 35°C)
- Non-Operating: -40°F to 149°F (-40°C to 65°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
Shock
- Operating: Varies depending on drive mechanism installed
- Non-Operating: Varies depending on drive mechanism installed
Noise
- Varies depending on drive mechanism installed
- Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt compatibility requires a certified Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable (available separately). This configuration provides data transfer at up to 20Gb/s but does not support notebook charging.
- SoftRAID works with macOS 10.14+, Windows 10+, and Windows Server 2019/2022. M1 Macs require macOS 11.3 or later.
- SoftRAID is licensed per computer.
- GPUs are not supported.
- While we do not bundle or recommend specific RAID/SAS card setups at this time, we do provide an unofficial guide as a courtesy, to customers who wish to attempt this workflow.
- Dual display support, including available resolution and refresh rates, is dependent on host hardware and drivers.
- Apple silicon M1/M2/M3 Pro, M1/M2/M3 Max, and M1/M2 Ultra Mac models, Apple Intel-based Mac models, and Thunderbolt 4 PCs can support up to two displays at up to 4K @ 60Hz via Thunderbolt.
- Apple silicon M1/M2/M3 Mac models can support one external display up to 4K @ 60Hz via Thunderbolt. - The following Apple silicon M1/M2/M3 Mac models support a single display over a Thunderbolt port:
- MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3, 2023)
- 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 - 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 - A firmware update is required to use OWC ThunderBay Flex 8 with OWC Innergize software. This firmware update is available on the OWC ThunderBay Flex 8 Support Guide.
Benchmarks
Back to topTruth in Numbers: Another OWC Difference
There are many attributes that define “The OWC Difference.” By listing real-world performance tests of OWC solutions, we’re confident you’ll be completely satisfied with your technology investment.
macOS RAID 0 Test Results
AJA System Test
Thunderbolt 3
macOS RAID 5 Test Results
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
Thunderbolt 3
macOS Test Results
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
Thunderbolt 3
AJA System Test
Thunderbolt 3
macOS RAID 0 Test Results
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
Thunderbolt 3
macOS RAID 5 Test Results
AJA System Test
Thunderbolt 3
Compatibility & Installation Videos
Back to top- Limited support on compatible Windows systems. This device is not Thunderbolt certified for Windows. A Thunderbolt device may not function properly or at all if used with an operating system for which the device has not been certified.
- GPUs are not supported.
- While we do not bundle or recommend specific RAID/SAS card setups at this time, we do provide an unofficial guide as a courtesy, to customers who wish to attempt this workflow.
MacBook Pro
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
MacBook Air
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
Mac Pro
Mac Studio
Mac mini
PC Compatible
PC must have a compatible Thunderbolt port
Products
Videos
Back to topCustomer Reviews
Back to topThe enclosure went together well and is working with 5x 12Gbps SAS and 2x 4TB NVMe. So far so good. Biggest issue was finding a SAS solution for my M1 Mac. Ended up with a HighPoint R710L which is working well. I also tried a few other including ATTO however every time I tried doing a Black Magic speed test with the ATTO the system would hang and reboot. The HighPoint was less expensive.
I would recommend this product to a friend!
- Reviewer:Reviewer2341138111
Thank you for the amazing feedback! We're thrilled to hear that the enclosure is working well for you, especially with your M1 Mac setup. We appreciate your support and are always here to help with any future tech needs. Enjoy your high-speed storage solution!
It’s great to have such mega storage, but every time it goes to sleep, or when I first plug it in, it takes way to long to boot up and be recognized by my max.
I would recommend this product to a friend!
- Reviewer:Official-Moretti
Thank you for the feedback on the ThunderBay Flex 8. It is great to hear that you are enjoying the space that this enclosure holds. Please contact our technical support representatives to assist you with this enclosure going to sleep. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions, comments, or concerns. https://eshop.macsales.com/Service/
Again another purchase of computer equipment from OWC that meets and exceeds my expectations.
I would recommend this product to a friend!
- Reviewer:BraveButterfly-43240