OWC ThunderBlade X8 16TB 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Array (8 x 2TB)

OWC ThunderBlade X8 External SSD Overview

Designed with DITs, production crews, editors, and creative professionals in mind, the 16TB ThunderBlade X8 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Array from OWC delivers high-speed performance in a rugged, aluminum chassis with a heat-dissipating design and a compact, mobile-friendly footprint.

It comes equipped with 8 x 2TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 M.2 2242 drives and supports RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, and 1+0 (10) via software. Preconfigured in RAID 0 for macOS, it delivers up to 2949 MB/s read and 2826 MB/s write speeds. RAID 5 performance reaches 2565 MB/s read and 2464 MB/s write.

Be Your Best with the Best

Built tough and optimized for silent cooling, the ThunderBlade X8 thrives in high-speed, high-stakes production environments. Handle massive data streams efficiently and boost your professional edge.

Reliability, Efficiency, and Transportability

Created by a team of creative pros, the ThunderBlade X8 is a high-performance, mobile RAID SSD that’s ready for anything—from DITs offloading media to remote editors caching files at high speed.

Daisy-Chain Possibilities

With two Thunderbolt 3 ports, you can daisy-chain up to five more devices, including displays, drives, or even USB-C accessories at the end of the chain.

RAID 5 Ready

Get fast write speeds and maximum capacity with RAID 5. Accelerate file offloads, edit multi-cam 8K footage, and follow the 3-2-1 backup rule with ease.

SoftRAID – RAID Made Easy

SoftRAID XT gives you powerful and intuitive RAID control on macOS and Windows. Enjoy advanced performance and full protection for your data.

Packed with Features

Configure RAID 0/1/4/5/10, monitor drives in real time, check volumes, and receive predictive failure alerts. Move arrays easily between macOS and Windows with MacDrive integration.

Beyond Hardware RAID

Software RAID offers more flexibility and performance. Take control of your setup without being locked into outdated hardware.

Really Cool Details

The non-slip rubber feet and aluminum shell ensure airflow and cooling. Enjoy sustained performance with no throttling or slowdowns.

Pre-Tested = Ready to Work

Each ThunderBlade X8 goes through a strict burn-in and performance check. It ships with a Thunderbolt cable so you can get started immediately.

Combine & Conquer

Stack multiple ThunderBlade X8s vertically with the OWC ThunderBlade X Spacer (sold separately) to boost airflow, performance, and storage.

Stabilize Thunderbolt and USB-C Cables

Prevent accidental disconnects with OWC ClingOn stabilizers (sold separately). Keep your connections secure in busy work environments.

macOS Compatibility

Compatible with macOS 10.13 High Sierra through macOS 14.x Sonoma.

Windows Compatibility

Compatible with Windows 11. SoftRAID is supported on Windows 11 and macOS 10.14 or later. RAID 4 and RAID 10 are macOS-only.