Description
OWC ThunderBlade X8 Thunderbolt (40Gb/s) NVMe RAID SSD External Storage Solution with SoftRAID XT. Extreme performance NVMe Solid-State Drive (SSD). Includes Thunderbolt cable.
Highlights
- Incomparable: Up to 2931MB/s ready-to-run, time-saving speed that has no competitor1
- Spacious: up to eight NVMe M.2 SSDs for up to 32TB
- Includes SoftRAID XT: robust software for creating, monitoring, and managing advanced RAID sets
- Versatile: daisy-chain up to five additional Thunderbolt devices or connect a USB-C device or display via the second Thunderbolt port
- Stable: non-skid rubber feet keep ThunderBlade in place while OWC ClingOn secures the included Thunderbolt connecting cable
- Reliable: heat-dissipating fanless aluminum chassis keeps you working silently at top speed
- Informative: confirm use status instantly via integrated LED
- Mobile: compact footprint and custom-fit ballistic hard-shell case make this the perfect shuttle drive
- Certified: meets Intel Thunderbolt and OWC operating certifications for assured performance and reliability
- 3-Year OWC Limited Warranty
The fastest shuttle RAID SSD in the universe for creative professionals
OWC's extreme performance ThunderBlade X8 might just be the ultimate working drive for media professionals. In terms of pure transfer speed, ThunderBlade X8 is at the absolute cutting edge of possibility.
The Fastest. Period.
In a fast-paced, professional environment, time is money and performance is everything. The success of your project depends on quick data processing, and demands performance and efficiency working with uncompressed, high-bandwidth content streams. ThunderBlade X8 delivers the performance to match - capable of unbelievable transfer speeds up to 2840MB/s read & 2822MB/s write. And with SoftRAID, two ThunderBlade X8s can reach dizzying heights up to 3800MB/s.
At Home on the Road.
Designed to be rugged and dependable as well as blazing fast, ThunderBlade X8 is equally at home on the road, on set or in the edit suite. It's compact and tough enough to withstand even the roughest treatment in between locations, and it comes complete with its own ballistic hard-shell case for even greater protection. And with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, ThunderBlade X8 fits your workflow daisy-chain perfectly.
SoftRAID: RAID Made Easy
Harness the full capability of your OWC drive array with the included SoftRAID XT, the most powerful, intuitive RAID management software on the market for macOS and Windows. SoftRAID’s RAID creation and management technology has been finely tuned to perfection with over 20 years of development to provide rock solid protection of your data and optimize drive performance.
SoftRAID XT provides an unbeatable combination of speed, protection, and compatibility:
- Advanced: Create RAID 0/1/4/5/1+0 (10) arrays
- Protected: SoftRAID Monitor constantly watches your disks and alerts you if problems are detected
- Validated: Volume validation ensures sectors can be read and parity is correct
- Certified: Checks disks before use to ensure they are safe for data storage
- Vigilant: Error prediction helps protect against unexpected failure
- Universal: Move SoftRAID arrays seamlessly between Mac and PC2 with built-in OWC MacDrive technology
Beyond Hardware RAID
SoftRAID provides a level of storage performance that you simply can’t get with hardware RAID. SoftRAID gives you increased power and control over your RAID drives and disks that hardware RAID can’t deliver and doesn’t lock you into technology that you can’t upgrade or expand.
Quality You Can Trust
Like all OWC drives, ThunderBlade X8 is built to the highest standards of reliability and performance. Because 100% reliability is always the goal, ThunderBlade X8 is rigorously quality tested, and backed by an OWC 3 Year Limited Warranty and 24/7 customer support.
- 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.
- RAID 4/1+0 (10) are Mac only at this time.
- SoftRAID XT works with macOS 10.14 or later and Windows 10 or later. M1 Macs require macOS 11.3 or later. SoftRAID is licensed per computer.
Includes
(1) OWC ThunderBlade X8 External Storage Solution
(1) 0.7M (29") Thunderbolt Cable
(1) External Power Supply
(1) US Power Cable (3-Prong IEC C13)
(1) Ballistic Hard-Shell Travel Case
(1) Support Manual for OWC ThunderBlade X8
(1) 3 Year OWC SoftRAID XT Upgrade and Support Plan
(1) Quick Start Guide for OWC SoftRAID XT
3 Year OWC Limited Warranty
| Number of Bays | 8 |
| Capacities | 8TB/ 16TB/ 32TB |
| Standard Mechanism |
(8) 1.0TB OWC Aura Pro III PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 2242 SSD (8) 2.0TB OWC Aura Pro III PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 2242 SSD (8) 4.0TB OWC Aura Pro III PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 2242 SSD |
| Plug and Play | Yes |
| Hot Plug Support | Yes |
| Boot Support | Mac only. NOTE: Boot volume must be independent from RAID volume. Please consult " OWC ThunderBlade: macOS Boot Drive Setup" |
| Format | Formatted as an 8 disk SoftRAID XT RAID 0 for Mac. PC users please consult the "Mac to Windows – SoftRAID XT Volume Conversation" guide. |
| Drive Interface | M.2 NVMe (PCIe 3.0) |
| RAID Capable | Yes |
| Default RAID Level | RAID 0 |
| RAID Levels Supported | RAID 0 RAID 1 RAID 4 RAID 5 RAID 10 |
| RAID Features | Software RAID |
| Device Ports | (1) Host Port - Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) up to 40 Gb/s (5000 MB/s) (2) Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Ports |
| Display Support | Up to one 5K display @ 60Hz, or one 4K display @ 60Hz, or one 4K display @ 30Hz |
| 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 40 Gb/s (or 5000 MB/s) |
| Benchmark Speed, Read (Max) | Up to 2931 MB/s |
| Benchmark Speed, Write (Max) | Up to 2860 MB/s |
| Chipset | Titan Ridge DD (JHL7440) |
| Host Port Requirements | Thunderbolt (USB-C) port (backward compatible with Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt1) |
| Mac OS Compatibility | 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 |
| PC OS Compatibility | Windows 11 |
| Driver Required | SoftRAID Only SoftRAID automatically checks for the latest version. Launch the app and if displayed, follow prompts to complete the SoftRAID update. |
| Other Requirements | Windows certification on Windows 11 Pro Build 22621 - 64bit. Recommended Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. 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. SoftRAID XT works with Windows 11 or later and macOS 10.14 or later. SoftRAID is licensed per computer. |
| External Power Adapter | Yes |
| Power Supply | External UL-listed universal auto-switching power supply |
| AC Input | 100-240V, 50-60Hz, 2.0A |
| DC Output | +12V, 7.5A |
| Wattage | 90W |
| Security Slot | No |
| Power/Activity LED | Yes |
| Housing Color | Black |
| Housing Material | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | Height: 3.4 cm (1.3 in) Length: 20.8 cm (8.2 in) Width: 12.4 cm (4.9 in) |
| Weight | 1.1 kg (2.40 lbs) |
| Certifications | CE FCC VCCI RCM UKCA IC |
| 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 |
| Noise | dB |
| Notes | 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. |
Compatibility
iMac | 2017 iMac18,2 - A1418 - EMC3069
iMac | 2017 iMac18,3 - A1419 - EMC3070
iMac | 2019 iMac19,1 - A2115 - EMC3194
iMac | 2019 iMac19,2 - A2116 - EMC3195
iMac | 2020 iMac20,1 - A2115 - EMC3442
iMac | 2020 iMac20,2 - A2115 - EMC3442
iMac | 2021 iMac21,1 - A2438 - EMC3663 - M1
iMac | 2021 iMac21,2 - A2439 - EMC3664 - M1
iMac | 2023 Mac15,4 - A2874 - EMC8207 - M3
iMac | 2023 Mac15,5 - A2873 - EMC8206 - M3
iMacPro | 2017 iMacPro1,1 - A1862 - EMC3144
MacBookAir | 2018 MacBookAir8,1 - A1932 - EMC3184
MacBookAir | 2019 MacBookAir8,2 - A1932 - EMC3184
MacBookAir | 2020 MacBookAir9,1 - A2179 - EMC3302
MacBookAir | 2020 MacBookAir10,1 - A2337 - EMC3598 - M1
MacBookAir | 2022 Mac14,2 - A2681 - EMC4074 - M2
MacBookAir | 2023 Mac14,15 - A2941 - EMC8301 - M2
MacBookPro | 2016 MacBookPro13,1 - A1708 - EMC2978
MacBookPro | 2016 MacBookPro13,2 - A1706 - EMC3071
MacBookPro | 2017 MacBookPro13,3 - A1707 - EMC3072
MacBookPro | 2017 MacBookPro14,1 - A1708 - EMC3164
MacBookPro | 2017 MacBookPro14,2 - A1706 - EMC3163
MacBookPro | 2017 MacBookPro14,3 - A1707 - EMC3162
MacBookPro | 2018 MacBookPro15,1 - A1990 - EMC3215
MacBookPro | 2018 MacBookPro15,2 - A1989 - EMC3214
MacBookPro | 2018 MacBookPro15,3 - A1990 - EMC3215
MacBookPro | 2019 MacBookPro15,1 - A1990 - EMC3359
MacBookPro | 2019 MacBookPro15,2 - A1989 - EMC3358
MacBookPro | 2019 MacBookPro15,3 - A1990 - EMC3359
MacBookPro | 2019 MacBookPro15,4 - A2159 - EMC3301
MacBookPro | 2019 MacBookPro16,1 - A2141 - EMC3347
MacBookPro | 2019 MacBookPro16,4 - A2141 - EMC3347
MacBookPro | 2020 MacBookPro16,2 - A2251 - EMC3348
MacBookPro | 2020 MacBookPro16,3 - A2289 - EMC3456
MacBookPro | 2020 MacBookPro17,1 - A2338 - EMC3578 - M1
MacBookPro | 2021 MacBookPro18,1 - A2485 - EMC3651 - M1 Pro
MacBookPro | 2021 MacBookPro18,2 - A2485 - EMC3651 - M1 MAX
MacBookPro | 2021 MacBookPro18,3 - A2442 - EMC3650 - M1 Pro
MacBookPro | 2021 MacBookPro18,4 - A2442 - EMC3650 - M1 Max
MacBookPro | 2022 Mac14,7 - A2338 - EMC8162 - M2
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac14,10 - A2780 M2 Pro
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac14,5 - A2779 M2 Max
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac14,6 - A2780 M2 Max
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac14,9 - A2779 M2 Pro
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac15,10 - A2992 - EMC8407 - M3 Max
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac15,11 - A2991 - EMC8408 - M3 Max
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac15,6 - A2992 - EMC8407 - M3 Pro
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac15,3 - A2918 - EMC8304 - M3
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac15,7 - A2991 - EMC8408 - M3 Pro
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac15,8 - A2992 - EMC8407 - M3 Max
MacBookPro | 2023 Mac15,9 - A2991 - EMC8408 - M3 Max
Mac Pro | 2019 MacPro7,1 - A1991 - EMC3203
Mac Pro | 2023 Mac14,8 - A2786 - EMC8163 - M2 Ultra
Mac Pro Rack | 2019 MacPro7,1 - A2304 - EMC3413
Mac Pro Rack | 2023 Mac14,8 - A2787 - EMC8164 - M2 Ultra
Mac Studio | 2022 Mac13,1 - A2615 - EMC3988 - M1 Max
Mac Studio | 2022 Mac13,2 - A2615 - EMC3988 - M1 Ultra
Mac Studio | 2023 Mac14,14 - A2901 - EMC8292 - M2 Ultra
Mac Studio | 2023 Mac14,13 - A2901 - EMC8292 - M2 Max
Macmini | 2018 Macmini8,1 - A1993 - EMC3213
Macmini | 2020 Macmini9,1 - A2348 - EMC3569 - M1
Macmini | 2023 Mac14,3 - A2686 - EMC8003 - M2
Macmini | 2023 Mac14,12 - A2816 - EMC8180 - M2 Pro
PC Compatible
