The Areca ARC-8050T3U-12E is a professional-grade 12-bay desktop RAID storage enclosure designed for high-performance workflows requiring fast data access and reliable redundancy. Equipped with dual Thunderbolt 3 ports supporting speeds up to 40 Gbps, the system seamlessly integrates with both Mac and Windows environments while maintaining compatibility with USB 3.2 Gen 2 devices.
This configuration includes 12 pre-installed 30TB drives, delivering 360TB of total storage capacity with enterprise-class data protection and hardware-based RAID control.
The ARC-8050T3U-12E features a tri-mode dual-core ARM A15 processor running at 1.6 GHz and 8GB of DDR4-2666 SDRAM cache, enabling smooth multitasking during intensive 4K video workflows and large file transfers.
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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.
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– The UK Areca RAID Experts!The Areca ARC-8050T3U-12E is a high-capacity desktop RAID storage solution engineered for creative professionals, media production facilities, and data-intensive workflows that demand both speed and reliability.
This 12-bay enclosure combines enterprise-grade hardware RAID control with modern connectivity standards, allowing seamless integration into professional environments where Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.2 devices coexist. The system delivers unprecedented performance through carefully selected components including a tri-mode dual-core ARM A15 processor, PCIe Gen3 x8 architecture, and 8GB of high-speed DDR4 cache with ECC protection.
The ARC-8050T3U-12E features dual Thunderbolt 3 ports capable of 40 Gbps data transfer speeds, with an additional Thunderbolt 3 port for daisy-chaining peripherals. The system supports both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 protocols through the same USB-C connector, enabling compatibility with Thunderbolt 3-enabled computers and USB-only systems without requiring separate controllers. A full-sized DisplayPort 1.4 output on the rear panel allows connection of external displays for monitoring and 8K 30Hz video output.
At the core of the ARC-8050T3U-12E is a true hardware RAID controller based on the Broadcom 12 Gb/s dual-core SAS architecture, delivering 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 configurations, providing flexibility for various redundancy and performance requirements. Controller-level hardware encryption and support for self-encrypting drives (SED) deliver enterprise-class security for sensitive data.
The tri-mode dual-core ARM A15 processor running at 1.6 GHz, combined with 8GB of DDR4-2666 SDRAM cache, enables smooth multitasking during high-load operations in 4K environments. The on-board cache architecture allows administrators to configure the read/write cache ratio dynamically, optimizing performance for workloads with significantly more reads than writes or vice versa. The peak transfer rate of the DDR4-2666 memory reaches 21.3 GB/s, providing substantial bandwidth for sustained data operations.
The ARC-8050T3U-12E accommodates up to 12 drives in 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch form factors, supporting both 12 Gb/s SAS and 6 Gb/s SATA hard disk drives and solid-state drives. The 360TB configuration includes 12 pre-installed 30TB drives, providing substantial capacity for large-scale media libraries, archival storage, and collaborative production environments. The system supports simultaneous firmware updates across all installed drives, streamlining maintenance operations.
Dual 2700 RPM cooling fans exhaust heat from the rear of the enclosure, maintaining optimal operating temperatures during sustained high-performance operations. The system is powered by a 400W power supply, with intelligent power on/off functionality that ensures data integrity during unexpected power events.
The ARC-8050T3U-12E supports macOS 10.12 or later and Windows 8/10 or later via Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, with full compatibility for Apple M1 silicon on Mac computers. Configuration and monitoring can be performed through the Thunderbolt port, LAN port, or integrated LCD interface. The system includes an external MiniSAS HD (SFF-8644) expansion port supporting 4-lane connectivity for additional storage expansion.
| Form Factor | Desktop 12-Bay |
| Drive Bays | 12 x 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch |
| Drive Interface Support | 12 Gb/s SAS, 6 Gb/s SATA |
| Total Storage Capacity (Configured) | 360TB (12 x 30TB drives) |
| Host Interface | 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| Thunderbolt 3 Speed | 40 Gbps |
| USB Compatibility | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
| I/O Processor | Tri-Mode Dual Core ARM A15 1.6 GHz |
| On-Board Cache | 8GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM |
| Memory Clock Speed | 333.33 MHz |
| Memory Bus Clock | 1333.33 MHz |
| Memory Data Rate | 2666.67 MT/s |
| Peak Cache Transfer Rate | 21.3 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) |
| Expansion Port | External MiniSAS HD (SFF-8644) 4-lane |
| Cooling | Dual 2700 RPM fans |
| Power Supply | 400W |
| Physical Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8.1 x 12.2 x 11.4 inches (206 x 310 x 290 mm) |
| Weight | 20.8 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| Operating System Support | macOS 10.12 or later, Windows 8/10 or later |
| Apple M1 Silicon Support | Yes |
| Configuration Methods | Thunderbolt port, LAN port, LCD interface |
| Included Accessories | 1m 40 Gb/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.
