Sonnet Echo Express III-D Thunderbolt 3 Expansion System

Connect Three Full-Length PCIe Cards to any Computer with a Thunderbolt 3 Port

For pros working in the creative fields, a computer’s processing power alone is not enough to get the job done. A prime example is the latest MacBook Pro’, which, while offering great performance, lacks the PCIe expansion slots necessary to support specialty cards that connect pro video and audio inputs, transcode data, and connect to high-speed storage and networks. Instead of slots, these computers include high-performance Thunderbolt3 ports to support peripherals. Sonnet’s EchoExpress III-D (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) leverages the Thunderbolt 3 ports’ PCIe data to connect PCIe expansion slots outside of a computer. This powerful desktop Thunderbolt-to-PCIe card expansion system enables you to connect three professional PCIe cards-including video capture, audio interface, SAS or SATA HBA, 16Gb or 8Gb Fibre Channel, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and RAID controllers-at the same time to any computer with Thunderbolt 3 ports.

The Sonnet Express III-D (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) features a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 interface, which offers double the PCIe bandwidth and connectivity of Thunderbolt 2, and yields up to 2750 MB/s of bandwidth, enabling it to support 4K video capture and processing cards at high frame rates, and 16Gb FC cards and dual-port 10GbE cards at full performance⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾. With the ability to handle multiple demanding, high performance PCIe cards, support for connecting two 4K displays @ 60Hz or one 5K display @ 60Hz⁽³⁾, and support for a vast array of Thunderbolt⁽⁴⁾ and USB⁽⁵⁾ devices, Thunderbolt 3 is a leap forward in every way.

Three PCIe 3.0 Slots, No Compromise

Sonnet’s Echo Express III-D supports three full-size PCIe cards, up to 12.28 inches (full-length) long. The III-D integrates a universal 300W power supply and includes a 75W PCIe power connector for cards that require supplementary power, such as the RED ROCKET-X.

Even with all that power, the III-D is enviro-friendly; it automatically powers on or off whenever the connected computer powers on (or wakes), or powers off or sleeps, respectively.

40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 –
The USB-C That Does It All

The Echo Express III-D (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports; the first is used for connection to your computer, while the second supports daisy chaining of up to five additional Thunderbolt peripheral devices to a single port on your computer⁽⁴⁾. The III-D includes 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 support, meaning you can connect a USB device to the second port using the proper cable or adapter. The III-D also provides full support for connecting two 4K displays @ 60Hz or one 5K display @ 60Hz⁽³⁾. For connected peripherals requiring extra power, 15 watts is provided to connected bus-powered devices.

All-Around Smart Design

The Echo Express III-D is wrapped in a rugged, yet lightweight aluminum outer shell, resulting in a system light enough to carry without weighing you down, yet sturdy enough to securely protect the installed PCIe cards.

Its two large, slow-spinning fans, enhanced with computer-modeled airflow management, ensure that even hot-running cards remain reliably cool without the need to install an extra PCIe blower card that would prevent the use of one of the three slots. Because the fans automatically speed up and slow down as needed, you don’t have to guess which speed setting to select, and there’s no need for tools to change settings. There is no power switch on the chassis, nor is one needed, because the III-D automatically powers on and off with your computer.

Quiet Operator

In operation, the Echo Express III-D is remarkably quiet-it may be comfortably used in noise-sensitive environments, and it is one of the quietest Echo systems. The natural convection of warm air through the PCIe cards is assisted by ultra-quiet, temperature-controlled, variable-speed fans, and vented out the top of the chassis with reduced air velocity and turbulence, resulting in little fan noise.

1-meter Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) Cable and ThunderLok 3L Included

To connect the Echo Express III-D (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) to your computer, Sonnet includes a 1-meter Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cable, and a Sonnet ThunderLok 3L Thunderbolt connector retainer clip⁽⁷⁾ to secure the cable to the Echo chassis.

Accidental cable disconnection can lead to data loss. Sonnet’s ThunderLok 3L is easy to install and use-just slide it over one end of the cable, and then plug in the connector and secure it to the chassis by turning a thumbscrew. Because of its unique design, the ThunderLok remains on the cable so it won’t get lost when not in use. Additional ThunderLok 3L retainer clips and Thunderbolt cables are available and can be found under the Accessories tab.

Benefit from a Secure Connection

Sonnet’s ThunderLok 3L easily fastens to a 1-meter Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) active cable to ensure a secure connection to compatible Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 products. The retainer clips remains on the cable and won’t get lost.

Echo Express III-D features two x8 plus one x16 plus PCIe slots for versatile card support

Every Thunderbolt 3 Compatible, Non-GPU Card Supported

The Echo Express III-D supports three single-width, full-length PCIe cards, or one double-width, full-length card plus one single-width card, enabling it to support every Thunderbolt 3 compatible, non-GPU PCIe 1.1, PCIe 2.0, and PCIe 3.0 card available.
Do you have a card in mind but aren’t sure it’s compatible? We’ve worked closely with PCIe card manufacturers to provide a list of compatible cards on our PCIe Card Thunderbolt Compatibility Chart. The chart provides a list of cards that have been tested to be recognized over a Thunderbolt connection and compatible with Thunderbolt technology requirements.

Red Rocket Supporter

Sonnet designed the Echo Express III-D to accommodate the RED ROCKET or RED ROCKET-X and its BNC connector bracket (for HD-SDI output) card/bracket pair in a single slot. This Echo chassis includes two BNC connector mounting holes, enabling the installation of the card in one slot and its BNC connectors in the chassis’ mounting holes, leaving the two remaining slots open.

Designed for BNC Connector Cables

Echo Express III-D’s back panel has two BNC connector mounting holes, enabling the use of a RED ROCKET card without the need to install the BNC connector bracket that would normally occupy a valuable PCIe slot.

Features:

• Connects Three Full-Length PCIe Cards to any Computer with Thunderbolt 3 Ports-Use multiple high-performance PCIe cards at the same time
• Three PCIe 3.0 Slots-Supports three full-height, single-width cards, or one double-width card plus one single-width card
• 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 Interface-Offers 2750 MB/s of PCIe bandwidth, doubling the performance of Thunderbolt 2
• Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports-One port used to connect to the computer; second port supports daisy-chaining of up to five additional Thunderbolt⁽⁴⁾ peripheral devices to your computer, attaching a single USB⁽⁵⁾ peripheral device, or connecting up to two 4K displays or one 5K display⁽³⁾
• Remarkably Quiet-Large, temperature-controlled, variable-speed fans that automatically cool the cards, plus computer-modeled design that reduces airflow turbulence and velocity, combine to provide quieter cooling for all cards
• Built-in Universal Power Supply-Integrated 300W power supply with 75W auxiliary power connector
• Rugged Aluminum Housing-Provides robust and secure protection
• Power for Peripherals-Provides up to 15W of power to connected peripherals
• Every Thunderbolt 3 Compatible, Non-GPU Card Supported-Works with every Thunderbolt 3 compatible PCIe card, regardless of length or height
• Thunderbolt 3 Cable & ThunderLok 3L Included-Includes 1-meter Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cable and ThunderLok 3L Thunderbolt connector retainer clip to secure cable from accidental disconnections

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Hardware

• Form Factor: Desktop expansion system
• External Connectors: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
• Internal Connector: 6-pin Mini-Fit Jr (same type as on legacy Mac Pro motherboard; provides up to 75W of power for PCIe cards that require supplemental power)
• Expansion Slots:
Facing Rear, Left to Right:
• One x8 mechanical (x8 electrical) PCIe 3.0
• One x16 mechanical (x8 electrical) PCIe 3.0
• One x8 mechanical (x4 electrical) PCIe 3.0
• PCIe Cards Supported:
• One full length, full-height, double-width PCIe card, plus one single-width card or
• Three full length, full-height, single-width PCIe cards
• Compatible PCIe Cards: PCIe cards listed on our supporting PCIe Card Thunderbolt Compatibility Chart and as specified by card manufacturers
• Power Supply: Universal 300W, 115-230V AC, 50-60 Hz⁽⁶⁾
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F)
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 3.8 x 16 x 10.2 in. (9.7 x 40.5 x 25.9 cm)
• Weight: 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)
• RoHS Compliant: Yes
• Package Contents:
• Echo Express III-D (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe Card Expansion System
• Power cord
• 0.7-meter Thunderbolt 3 cable
• ThunderLok 3 Thunderbolt Connector Retainer Clip
• Documentation

Mac Compatibility

• Mac with Thunderbolt 3 ports
• Mac with a Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt port with an Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
• macOS 10.12.6+
• macOS Mojave Compatible

PC Compatibility

• See FAQ (for SE III/III-D & III-R Thunderbolt 3 Editions)

PCIe Card Compatibility

• For up-to-date PCIe card compatibility see our PCIe Card Thunderbolt Compatibility Chart