CalDigit T3 9TB (3x 3TB HDD) Thunderbolt

The T3 by CalDigit is a triple drive RAID array that offers performance and versatility unrivaled by anything in its class.

While priced similarly to dual bay RAID solutions, the extra drive in the T3 adds additional performance with a minimal footprint increase. For applications that require high performance drives, the T3 configured in RAID 0 can deliver up to 550 MB/s when configured with HDDs or 850 MB/s with SSDs. The T3 will do everything a dual drive RAID can and more. Why settle for two, when you can have three?

CalDigit has been making professional external storage solutions for over 10 years and we decided to make a new RAID device based on Thunderbolt technology that breaks new ground in performance. The CalDigit T3 is that product. Built from the ground up with the professional user in mind and utilizing only the best possible components, the T3 sets a new standard for external RAID storage.

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FORM FACTOR

When we designed the T3 we wanted to bring a product to market that no one else is making. The T3's three bay design gives the device not only extra storage space, but also increased performance. Traditional 2-bay RAID storage cannot compete with the T3's transfer speeds and extra 4TB of storage capacity. If the T3's size is compared with 4 and 6-bay Thunderbolt RAID storage, it has a significantly smaller form factor whilst at the same time maintaining incredible performance.

SSD OR HDD

One of the standout features of the T3 is its unrivaled versatility. The T3 accepts both 2.5” SSDs (Solid State Drives) and 3.5" HDDs. SSDs give faster performance, whereas 3.5" HDDs allow for higher storage capacities. With three 3.5" HDDs installed, the T3 reaches storage capacities up to 12TB. Traditional 2-bay RAID devices max out at 8TB. The T3's extra drive bay allows users 4TBs of added storage space.

With three 2.5" SSDs installed, the T3 will be available in storage capacities up to 2.88TB. That is outstanding storage space for solid state drives. This means that the T3 combines great performance with almost 3TB of SSD storage space for your files.

RAID 0/1 & JBOD

Many 2-bay RAID devices on the market are either a RAID 0 or a RAID 1 device. The T3 gives users the ability to set the device to RAID 0, RAID 1, and JBOD mode. RAID 0 is used for performance. RAID 1 is used for protection. If the T3 is set to RAID 1 it gives users three automatic back-ups of their data. 2-bay RAID 1 devices only give users two back-ups.

RAID + JBOD

Building on the concept of the T3's versatility, the device can actually be set to a RAID and JBOD mode in the same unit. Having the extra drive bay allows users to set two drive bays to either a RAID 0 or RAID 1, and then have the extra drive bay as a spare JBOD drive. This is something no other professional RAID 0/1 & JBOD device offers.

PERFORMANCE-RAID 0

For professional users, one of the most important parts of an external storage device is that performance meets their demands, especially a Thunderbolt drive. The T3 not only matches any RAID device in its class, it also surpasses it.

The T3 with 3 x SSDs installed reaches read speeds of 850MB/s, and write speeds of 800MB/s. The T3 with 3 x 3.5" HDDs installed achieves read speeds of 550MB/s, and write speeds of 500MB/s.

To put that into context traditional 2-bay RAID 0 devices can reach speeds of around 300MB/s. 4-bay RAID devices can achieve speeds of around 500MB/s, and 6-bay RAID devices around 800MB/s. As you can see the T3's 850MB/s can surpass even 6-bay RAID devices in a smaller more compact form-factor! Even with 3.5" HDDs installed the T3 outperforms 4-bay RAID devices.

PERFORMANCE-RAID 1

When a RAID device is configured into a RAID 1, it traditionally reduces the speed of the drive because it will mirror the data onto all of the drives. However, the T3 with SSDs can actually keep relatively the same read speeds when configured into a RAID 1. This means that users will get the same read performance, and three automatic back-ups of their data. Traditional 2-bay RAID 1 devices tend to have speeds of around 190MB/s. The T3 in RAID 1 with SSDs can reach read speeds of 820MB/s. That’s over four times the read speed over traditional 2-bay RAIDs!

4K WORKFLOW

These days people are working with high-res 4K footage and need an external storage device to match the performance demands of 4K workflows. The T3's incredible performance can more than match the steep demands of 4K video. The 12TB version of the T3 can store up to 20 hours of 4K ProRes (2160) 4444 footage!

Be sure to check out this user testimonial on the AJA website where the CalDigit T3 was used alongside the AJA KiPro Quad to simultaneously back-up 4K video files from the Pak media SSDs to the T3 whilst at the same time recording footage directly onto the T3. For more info click here.

DUAL THUNDERBOLT PORTS

The T3 features dual Thunderbolt ports so that users can daisy-chain up to six Thunderbolt devices to one computer. If six T3 units are daisy-chained together it would give users up to 72TB of storage capacity!

EXPANDABILITY

The T3 features three removable drive modules. CalDigit’s products have always featured removable drive modules for expanding storage capacities.

Ever since CalDigit released the CalDigit AV Pro, our single drive storage solution, all of our drive modules are now universal.

The T3's drive modules will work with the AV Pro and all of CalDigit’s future storage solutions. If the T3 is used in RAID 1 or JBOD mode, users can eject one of the HDDs and place it into the AV Pro in order to access the data. This is a great solution if the T3's files need to be accessed in another location.

CalDigit also provide extra drive modules that are housed in a protective archive box. The 3.5" HDDs are available in capacities up to 4TB. The SSDs are available in capacities up to 960GB. 

LED LIGHTS

It seems simple, but the T3's LED status lights give users an instant status indication for each of the HDDs inside the unit. They flash when they are in use. Many RAID devices on the market only feature a power light. If a user was ever to experience any issues with one of those RAID devices, they would have no idea which drive was the problem.

COOL STORAGE

One of the most overlooked aspects of external storage devices is maintaining a cool operating temperature inside the unit. The T3 features a smart fan in combination with the aluminum design, and front ventilation grill that help with heat dissipation. If the T3 will be used for long periods of time, the device will be kept at the right temperature.

BUILD QUALITY

The internal components used in the T3 really set it apart from other external storage solutions.