This is Epic! TB5 SSD Raid is 🤯 - Huge Storage! 12-192TB

The OWC Thunderblade X12 is a powerful and expensive external storage solution designed for professional video editors, offering massive capacity and high speeds via Thunderbolt 5 for efficient workflow management.

• OWC Thunderblade X12 provides massive external NVMe SSD storage (up to 192TB) with Thunderbolt 5.

• Delivers speeds comparable to internal Mac SSDs, optimizing video editing workflows by offloading large files.

• While expensive, the Thunderblade X12 offers a convenient, high-performance package for professionals.

The OWC Thunderblade X12 is an external storage device housing up to 12 NVMe M.2 SSDs, offering capacities from 12 TB to 192 TB with Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. Priced from $3,299.99 to over $16,000, it provides speeds comparable to internal Mac SSDs, enabling users to edit large video files directly from the drive and free up internal computer storage. While expensive, its comprehensive package and performance make it a reasonable option for professionals requiring extensive, fast storage.

OWC Thunderblade X12 Overview

• 00:00:00 The OWC Thunderblade X12 is introduced as a high-capacity external storage solution for Mac users, particularly those editing video. This device, purchased independently, can house up to 12 M.2 NVMe SSDs, offering initial capacities from 12 TB to 96 TB, with a 192 TB model announced. It connects via Thunderbolt 5, includes software for RAID configurations, and comes with necessary cables and a power supply, weighing over 2 kg due to its aluminum heatsink design.

Cost and Value Proposition

• 00:01:04 The Thunderblade X12 is an expensive device, with prices ranging from $3,299.99 to $16,799, depending on the storage capacity. While seemingly costly, a breakdown of component prices reveals that building a similar setup with 12 individual high-performance OWC Aura Pro 4 SSDs would approach the package cost. The device's value lies in its integrated, pre-built, and high-performance package, making it a reasonable investment for those needing extensive, reliable storage for demanding tasks.

Performance and Workflow Impact

• 00:05:43 Performance tests using Blackmagic Disk Speed Test show the Thunderblade X12 achieves impressive read and write speeds, with a 24 TB model reaching around 6,799 MB/s write and 5,272 MB/s read. These speeds are comparable to the internal SSDs of high-end MacBook Pro models. This performance allows users to edit large video footage, such as from Red or Canon cameras, directly from the external drive, effectively offloading storage demands from the computer and reducing the need for expensive high-capacity internal drives.

OWC Envoy Ultra Comparison

• 00:06:25 The OWC Envoy Ultra is also highlighted as a portable and fast external SSD, offering capacities up to 8 TB. Despite common concerns about its attached cable, it has proven durable and reliable in daily use for over a year. Speed tests on a 4 TB Envoy Ultra with existing data showed consistent performance between 5,000 and 6,000 MB/s, sufficient for editing 4K video. It is recommended as a smaller, fast, on-the-go storage option compared to the larger Thunderblade X12.