The Areca ARC-8050T3U-6 is a professional-grade desktop RAID storage enclosure designed for high-performance data management across creative and enterprise workflows.
This six-bay system combines dual Thunderbolt 3 connectivity with hardware-based RAID functionality, delivering data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps while maintaining independent RAID processing without taxing the host system’s CPU.
The 120TB configuration ships with six 20TB enterprise-class drives pre-installed, providing immediate deployment capability for demanding storage requirements.
Original price was: £ 5,775.00.£ 4,759.95Current price is: £ 4,759.95. | £ 5,711.94 inc VAT
In Stock
We pride ourselves on knowing, selling and supporting Areca RAIDs & Controllers better than anyone else in the UK!
All our Areca RAIDs ship pre-configured & tested (RAID5 or RAID6, for Mac or PC). Please allow us 1-2 days to do this for you for free.
Seen a better price elsewhere? Let us know & we’ll do our best so you also benefit from our Areca knowledge, expertise & totally free after-sales support.
– The UK’s Areca RAID Experts!The Areca ARC-8050T3U-6 represents a comprehensive storage solution engineered for professionals requiring reliable, high-speed data access without compromising system performance.
Built around a dedicated hardware RAID controller, this enclosure offloads all RAID processing to its own dual-core processor, eliminating the performance bottleneck that occurs with software-based RAID implementations on the host computer.
The system employs a Broadcom 12Gb/s dual-core SAS Raid-on-Chip (ROC) processor operating at 1.2 GHz, paired with 2GB of DDR3-1866 SDRAM featuring ECC error correction.
This dedicated processing capability ensures stable, reliable RAID operations during intensive data transfers, array rebuilds, and concurrent read/write operations without impacting host system resources.
The enclosure features dual Thunderbolt 3 ports providing up to 40 Gbps bandwidth per port, enabling sustained high-speed data transfers suitable for 4K and 8K video workflows.
An additional Thunderbolt 3 port supports daisy-chaining of up to six ARC-8050T3U units on a single host connection, allowing scalable storage expansion while maintaining single-cable simplicity.
The system also includes USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C compatibility, providing flexibility for connection to diverse computing platforms.
The six-bay configuration accommodates 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch hard disk drives and solid-state drives, with the 120TB model shipping pre-populated with six 20TB enterprise-class drives.
Maximum supported capacity reaches 132TB using six 22TB drives, with the system supporting both 12Gb/s SAS and 6Gb/s SATA protocols for drive compatibility.
The ARC-8050T3U-6 supports comprehensive RAID configurations including RAID 0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, and 60, alongside Single Disk and JBOD modes for varied protection and performance requirements.
Hardware-based RAID processing ensures consistent performance during array rebuilds following drive failures, critical for maintaining productivity in professional environments.
A full-sized DisplayPort 1.4 connector on the rear panel enables connection of external displays at 8K 30Hz resolution, allowing direct monitoring of RAID status and system health without requiring host system resources.
This dedicated display output proves particularly valuable in multi-monitor professional setups where system information must remain continuously visible.
The enclosure incorporates dual 2700 RPM self-regulating cooling fans that maintain optimal drive temperatures across operating conditions ranging from 0°C to 40°C.
The dual-fan configuration ensures adequate airflow for six simultaneously operating drives while maintaining acceptable noise levels in professional studio environments.
The ARC-8050T3U-6 serves video production, audio engineering, photography, and data-intensive creative workflows where reliable, high-speed storage access directly impacts productivity.
Enterprise environments benefit from the hardware RAID architecture and multiple redundancy options for critical data protection without software overhead.
| Form Factor | Desktop 6-Bay Tower |
| Disk Bays | 6 |
| Supported Drive Types | 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SAS/SATA hard disk drives and solid-state drives |
| Disk Port Specification | 6 x 12Gb/s SAS or 6Gb/s SATA |
| Maximum Capacity | 132TB (6 x 22TB drives) |
| Configured Capacity | 120TB (6 x 20TB enterprise drives) |
| I/O Processor | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Broadcom SAS ROC |
| On-Board Cache | 2GB DDR3-1866 SDRAM with ECC protection |
| RAID Levels Supported | 0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, 60, Single Disk, JBOD |
| Primary Connectivity | Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports (40 Gbps each) |
| Secondary Connectivity | USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C |
| Display Output | DisplayPort 1.4 (supports 8K 30Hz) |
| Daisy-Chaining Support | Up to 6 enclosures on single Thunderbolt connection |
| Expansion Port | SFF-8644 (2-lanes) |
| Cooling | Dual 2700 RPM self-regulating fans |
| Power Supply | 180W with 4-pin XLR connector |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 40°C |
| Operating Humidity | 5% to 95% non-condensing |
| Physical Dimensions (W x H x D) | 8.45 x 4.84 x 9.11 inches (255 x 146 x 290 mm) |
| Weight (Diskless) | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg |
| Weight (Configured with 6 x 20TB drives) | Approximately 20+ lbs |
| Security Features | Controller-level hardware encryption engine |
| macOS Compatibility | macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or later |
| Windows Compatibility | Windows 8 or later |
| Warranty | 5 years (on enterprise drives) |
In general, next working day delivery services (UK Mainland) are available on Areca equipment orders placed before 2pm (subject to stock availability).
We kindly advise you let us preconfigure each Areca RAID (as RAID5, RAID6 etc), so they arrive properly setup, ready to “plug’n’play”.
This is a free service, and takes 1-2 days prior to shipping.
Non-timed deliveries should be delivered between the hours of 9am and 6pm.
Orders placed after 2pm on Fridays and on weekends will be processed as normal the following Monday.
Orders placed on Bank Holidays will be processed the next working day.
If urgent, please call one of our helpful account managers so they may double check everything for you, enabling you to place your order with confidence.
Please note: these product details are for guide purposes only, and may contain errors.
We always recommend double-checking the product specs and features on the the manufacturer website, or contact us if unsure before ordering.
