Connect 3 PCIe Cards to Your Thunderbolt 3-equipped Computer
Today's laptop, mini desktop, and all-in-one computers pack tons of power. In fact, they're more powerful than the full-sized towers of yesteryear. To top it off, thanks to modern Thunderbolt connectivity, today's computers support a vast array of peripherals with blazing-fast speeds. But what's missing are PCIe expansion slots — a must-have feature for creative professionals. That's where the Sonnet Technologies Echo III Desktop comes in. This cutting-edge system enables you to connect three full-length PCIe cards to your Thunderbolt 3-equipped computer — simultaneously — with a single cable. If you've been eyeing a high-powered portable computer, but don't want to part with your PCIe-based rig, the Echo III Desktop is the perfect solution.
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Easy expansion via a single Thunderbolt 3 port
The Echo III Desktop makes expanding your computer a breeze. Simply plug it into one of your machine's Thunderbolt 3 ports, and you'll benefit from 2750 MB/s of PCIe bandwidth. The Echo III Desktop accommodates three full-height, single-width cards, or one double-width card plus one single-width card. At Sweetwater, we've found that this expansion system supports nearly every Thunderbolt 3-compatible, non-GPU PCIe 1.1/2.0/3.0 card out there — video capture, video transcoding, audio DSP, 6GB/12GB SAS and SATA host bus adapter, 10GB/25GB Ethernet, SSD storage, and a whole lot more — it all works. No Thunderbolt 3 port? No worries. The Echo III Desktop is backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 2-equipped Macs (requires a special adapter and cable — sold separately).
Tailor-made for your Pro Tools HDX PCIe cards
The latest generation of Mac mini and iMac Pro computers are multi-core beasts. They boast all the power your hungry Pro Tools sessions need. Unfortunately, they lack PCIe ports. In the past, this would make them unsuitable for Pro Tools HDX systems. But now, thanks to the Sonnet Technologies Echo III Desktop, any computer with a Thunderbolt 3 port is fair game. The Echo III Desktop supports up to three HDX PCIe cards, and it has been tested and qualified for use with the latest Pro Tools Ultimate software, as well as with Pro Tools HDX and HD Native systems.
Jam-packed with state-of-the-art features
The Echo III Desktop is laden with state-of-the-art features. Its integrated 400W power supply includes 75W of auxiliary power, and it saves energy by automatically powering on and off with your computer. This system's dual temperature-controlled, variable-speed Noctua fans are rated at 17dBA for whisper-quiet cooling. You also get a second Thunderbolt 3 port for easy daisy-chaining of up to five additional Thunderbolt-equipped peripherals; 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 support allows you to connect a USB device to the second port (requires a special adapter — sold separately). The Echo III Desktop provides 15W of power to bus-powered peripherals, and it supports connecting one 5K display or two 4K displays. A rugged steel housing rounds out the Echo III Desktop's impressive design.
Sonnet Technologies Echo III Desktop Features:
- Enables you to connect 3 full-length PCIe cards to a Thunderbolt 3-equipped computer
- 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 interface delivers 2750 MB/s of PCIe bandwidth
- Universal support for nearly all Thunderbolt 3-compatible, non-GPU PCIe 1.1/2.0/3.0 cards
- Backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 2-equipped Macs (adapter and cable sold separately)
- Tested and qualified for use with Avid Pro Tools Ultimate software and HDX/HD Native systems
- Integrated 400W power supply includes 75W of auxiliary power and automatic on/off feature
- Dual temperature-controlled, variable-speed Noctua fans yield whisper-quiet cooling
- Second Thunderbolt 3 port for easy daisy-chaining of up to 5 additional peripherals
- 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 support allows you to connect a USB device to the second port (adapter sold separately)
- Provides 15W of power to bus-powered peripherals
- Supports connecting a single 5K display or dual 4K displays
- Rugged steel housing for maximum durability
- Includes a 0.7-meter (27.6-inch) Thunderbolt 3 cable with ThunderLok retainer clip