Areca ARC-8050T3U-6 – 156TB

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Areca ARC-8050T3U-6 – 156TB

Fast, Expandable 6-Bay Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Hardware RAID Array with Display Port (6 x 26.0 TB Enterprise Drives Fitted - 7200rpm, 5yr Warranty)

The Areca ARC-8050T3U-6 – 156TB is a 6-bay desktop RAID storage solution equipped with dual Thunderbolt 3 ports and USB 3.2 Gen 2 compatibility for high-speed data transfer up to 40Gbps.

It supports 12Gb/s SAS or 6Gb/s SATA drives in 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch form factors, powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz SAS ROC and 2GB DDR3-1866 SDRAM cache.

Pre-configured with 156TB capacity using six 26TB enterprise drives, it delivers enterprise-grade RAID protection for professional video, audio, and data workflows.

  • Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports enable daisy-chaining and 8K DisplayPort output.
  • Supports RAID levels 0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, 60, JBOD, and Single Disk.
  • Compatible with macOS 10.12+ (including Apple M1) and Windows 8/10+.
  • Includes intelligent power management and dual 2700rpm cooling fans.

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Category: Desktop Hard Drives & RAIDs
SKU: areca_arc-8050t3u-6_156tb
Brand: Areca Technology
We’re the UK’s #1 Areca Reseller!

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.

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Areca ARC-8050T3U-6 – 156TB Product Overview

The Areca ARC-8050T3U-6 – 156TB provides high-performance hardware RAID storage in a 6-bay desktop form factor, optimized for Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 connections.

It combines dual Thunderbolt 3 ports for 40Gbps transfer speeds with a DisplayPort 1.4 output for 8K 30Hz monitoring, supporting demanding workflows like 4K/8K video editing and large-scale data processing.


Host Connectivity

Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports connect to Thunderbolt-enabled hosts and allow daisy-chaining up to six peripherals while supplying power for device charging.

A full-size DisplayPort enables direct array monitoring without additional hardware.

USB-C compatibility activates a built-in USB device controller, supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), Gen 1 (5Gbps), or USB 2.0 protocols seamlessly.


RAID Controller and Performance

The dual-core 1.2GHz SAS RAID-on-Chip (ROC) from Broadcom handles true hardware RAID without taxing host CPU resources.

2GB DDR3-1866 SDRAM on-board cache with ECC protection optimizes read/write operations, configurable for video-optimized settings.

PCIe Gen3 x8 interface and 12Gb/s SAS backend deliver sustained high throughput for multi-stream 4K workflows.


Drive Support and Expansion

Accommodates up to six 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch 12Gb/s SAS or 6Gb/s SATA HDDs/SSDs, pre-populated here with 156TB enterprise 26TB drives at 7200rpm.

SFF-8644 mini-SAS expansion port (2-lanes) allows connectivity to additional JBOD enclosures for scaled capacity.

Supports simultaneous drive firmware updates and SED self-encrypting drives for enhanced security.


RAID and Data Protection

Offers RAID levels 0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, 60, JBOD, and Single Disk for flexible redundancy and performance balancing.

Controller-level hardware encryption and intelligent power on/off ensure data integrity during failures or power events.


Management and Cooling

Configuration via Thunderbolt/LAN port or LCD panel simplifies setup and monitoring.

Dual 2700rpm cooling fans maintain optimal temperatures, with 180W power supply for reliable operation.


Use Cases

Ideal for post-production suites handling 4K/8K video I/O, audio professionals requiring low-latency storage, and data-intensive environments needing portable, high-capacity RAID.

Full Apple M1 silicon support ensures compatibility across modern Mac and Windows systems.

Areca ARC-8050T3U-6 – 156TB Key Features

  • High-performance 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 interface with dual ports for host connection and daisy-chaining.
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2 compatibility via USB-C for broad host support, including non-Thunderbolt systems.
  • Dual-core 1.2GHz SAS ROC with 2GB DDR3-1866 SDRAM cache and ECC protection for smooth multitasking.
  • Supports up to 6 x 3.5”/2.5” 12Gb/s SAS or 6Gb/s SATA drives, pre-populated with 156TB enterprise storage.
  • RAID levels: 0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, 60, JBOD, Single Disk for enterprise data protection.
  • DisplayPort 1.4 output for 8K 30Hz monitoring of array status.
  • SFF-8644 expansion port for additional JBOD connectivity.
  • Advanced features including hardware encryption, SED support, and batch drive firmware updates.
  • Dual 2700rpm fans and 180W PSU in compact desktop chassis (146 x 255 x 290 mm).
  • OS support: macOS 10.12+ (M1 compatible), Windows 8/10+, OS-independent USB mode.

Areca ARC-8050T3U-6 – 156TB Technical Specifications

Form FactorDesktop 6-Bay
Pre-Populated Capacity156TB (6 x 26TB Enterprise Drives, 7200rpm)
Host Interface2 x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C, 40Gbps), 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
USB CompatibilityUSB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), Gen 1 (5Gbps), USB 2.0
Drive Bays6 x 3.5”/2.5” (12Gb/s SAS or 6Gb/s SATA HDD/SSD)
RAID-on-Chip (ROC)Dual-Core 1.2GHz SAS ROC
On-Board Cache2GB DDR3-1866 SDRAM (ECC protected)
Cache Data Rate14.9 GB/s peak transfer
ExpansionSFF-8644 (2-lanes, mini-SAS HD)
RAID Levels0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, 60, Single Disk, JBOD
Cooling2 x 2700rpm fans
Power Supply180W internal
Dimensions (W x H x D)4.84 x 8.45 x 9.11 in (123 x 165.6 x 232 mm, chassis); 146 x 255 x 290 mm (full)
Weight13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg (diskless); higher with drives
XLR Power InputN/A
OS Support (Thunderbolt)macOS 10.12+, Windows 8/10+ (M1 compatible)
OS Support (USB)OS Independent
Configuration OptionsThunderbolt/LAN port, LCD panel
Additional FeaturesHardware encryption, SED support, intelligent power on/off, batch firmware update

Areca Technology Delivery Information

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.

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