The Areca ARC-8050T3U-6 is a professional-grade 6-bay desktop RAID storage enclosure designed for high-performance data management in creative and enterprise workflows.
This hardware RAID system combines dual Thunderbolt 3 connectivity with USB 3.2 Gen 2 compatibility, delivering transfer speeds up to 40Gbps and supporting simultaneous 4K video input and output.
The enclosure accommodates up to 132TB of storage capacity using 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SAS or SATA drives, with enterprise-class data protection through hardware-based RAID control.
• Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports with 40Gbps bandwidth and daisy-chaining capability
• 12Gb/s SAS dual-core processor with 2GB DDR3-1866 SDRAM cache
• Support for RAID 0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, 60 configurations plus single disk and JBOD modes
• DisplayPort 1.4 output for 8K 30Hz display connectivity and array monitoring
Original price was: £ 5,950.00.£ 4,999.95Current price is: £ 4,999.95. | £ 5,999.94 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 is a professional desktop RAID storage solution engineered for organizations and creative professionals requiring high-capacity, high-performance data storage with enterprise-class reliability.
This 6-bay enclosure delivers unprecedented performance through a combination of dual Thunderbolt 3 ports operating at 40Gbps, a dedicated dual-core 1.2 GHz SAS RAID-on-Chip (ROC) processor, and 2GB of DDR3-1866 SDRAM with ECC protection, ensuring data integrity during intensive workflows.
The ARC-8050T3U-6 features dual Thunderbolt 3 ports for primary host connection and daisy-chaining of up to six additional Thunderbolt 3 peripherals, eliminating the need for multiple cables and hubs.
The enclosure supports both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 protocols through the same USB-C connector, enabling seamless compatibility with both Thunderbolt-enabled and USB-only computers without requiring separate controllers or adapters.
A full-sized DisplayPort 1.4 output on the rear panel allows direct connection of external displays for real-time array monitoring and supports 8K 30Hz video output, making it suitable for multi-display professional environments.
The enclosure accommodates six 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch hard drives or solid-state drives, supporting both 12Gb/s SAS and 6Gb/s SATA interfaces.
With the pre-configured 132TB capacity option, the system ships with six 22TB enterprise-class drives, though users can customize drive configurations based on performance and capacity requirements.
The SFF-8644 expansion port with 2-lane support enables future expansion capabilities for additional storage connectivity.
The ARC-8050T3U-6 incorporates a true hardware RAID controller based on the Broadcom 12Gb/s dual-core SAS engine, providing independent RAID processing without consuming host system CPU resources.
The system supports multiple RAID levels including RAID 0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, and 60, as well as single disk and JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks) modes, allowing users to select the optimal configuration for their data protection and performance requirements.
Controller-level hardware encryption and support for self-encrypting drives (SED) provide enterprise-grade security for sensitive data.
The 2GB on-board DDR3-1866 SDRAM cache with ECC protection enables smooth multitasking during high-load operations, particularly in 4K video environments.
Users can configure the read/write cache ratio dynamically to optimize performance based on specific application requirements, whether prioritizing read-heavy or write-heavy workflows.
The dual-core 1.2 GHz SAS ROC processor delivers consistent performance during array rebuilds and concurrent data operations without degrading host system performance.
The enclosure features dual 2700 RPM cooling fans that actively exhaust heat from the rear panel, maintaining optimal operating temperatures for extended drive lifespan and consistent performance.
A 180W power supply provides sufficient power for the six-bay configuration with room for high-capacity enterprise drives.
The ARC-8050T3U-6 is designed for professional video production, audio engineering, and data-intensive creative workflows that require simultaneous 4K input and output capabilities.
Full support for Apple M1 silicon on Mac computers ensures native compatibility with modern Apple systems, while Windows 8/10 and later support provides broad cross-platform compatibility.
Configuration options via Thunderbolt port, LAN port, or integrated LCD display provide flexible management without requiring dedicated software on the host system.
An intelligent power on/off function protects data integrity by ensuring proper shutdown sequences and preventing data corruption during unexpected power events.
Firmware updates for all installed hard drives can be performed simultaneously through the controller, streamlining maintenance procedures across the entire array.
| Model | ARC-8050T3U-6 |
| Form Factor | Desktop 6-Bay |
| Drive Bays | 6 |
| Supported Drive Sizes | 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch |
| Supported Drive Interfaces | 12Gb/s SAS or 6Gb/s SATA |
| Maximum Capacity (Pre-configured) | 132TB (6 x 22TB drives) |
| Host Interface - Primary | Thunderbolt 3 x 2 |
| Host Interface - Video Output | DisplayPort 1.4 x 1 |
| Thunderbolt 3 Bandwidth | 40Gbps |
| USB Compatibility | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (via USB-C connector) |
| Daisy-Chaining Support | Up to 6 additional Thunderbolt 3 devices |
| Expansion Port | SFF-8644 (2-lanes) |
| I/O Processor | Dual Core 1.2 GHz SAS ROC (Broadcom 12Gb/s) |
| On-Board Cache | 2GB DDR3-1866 SDRAM with ECC |
| Cache Peak Transfer Rate | 14.9 GB/s |
| RAID Levels Supported | 0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, 60, Single Disk, JBOD |
| Hardware Encryption | Controller-level hardware encryption |
| Self-Encrypting Drive Support | Yes (SED) |
| Cooling | Dual 2700 RPM fans |
| Power Supply | 180W |
| Physical Dimensions (W x H x D) | 4.84 x 8.45 x 9.11 inches (123 x 215 x 232 mm) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg |
| Operating System Support - Thunderbolt 3 | macOS 10.12 or later, Windows 8/10 or later |
| Operating System Support - USB | OS Independent |
| Apple M1 Silicon Support | Full support |
| 4K Workflow Support | Simultaneous 4K input and output |
| DisplayPort Video Output | 8K 30Hz |
| Configuration Methods | Thunderbolt port, LAN port, or LCD display |
| Included Accessories | 1m 40Gb/s active Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable |
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.
