13 new Thunderbolt 5 RAID models from Areca

With the TB5 update, Areca clearly positions the series in the upper performance segment of desktop RAID systems:

• Among the few hardware RAID solutions with a true SAS backplane, TB5 offers a rare combination of I/O performance, sustained load stability, and RAID hardware offloading.
• Compared to USB 4 or purely PCIe-based enclosures, the 8050 series continues to offer a clearly defined RAID layer with consistent behavior under high load.
• For media production, research, DevOps infrastructure, or AI workloads, consistent, reproducible I/O profiles are a relevant advantage.

Summary

The integration of Thunderbolt 5 into the ARC-8050 series raises the systems to a new I/O level and addresses precisely those bottlenecks that regularly occur in modern production environments.

While the architecture, management, and reliability remain unchanged, TB5 provides the necessary bandwidth reserve to bring the theoretical performance of the RAID controllers closer to the net throughput values available on the host side. For professional workflows that require predictable performance, the TB5 variant is a sensible and technically sound advancement.

Availability

Most of the RAID systems presented here have now successfully completed Thunderbolt certification by Apple or Intel. All models will be available from us shortly after completion of the outstanding CE certification. 

Prices for the rackmount models have not yet been determined. The recommended retail prices for the desktop RAID systems range from €1,135 (including VAT) for the 4-bay model to €2,340 (including VAT) for the 12-bay system.

High-resolution photos of the new series can be downloaded here.