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- OWC Mercury Helios 3S Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Solution for Mac and PC OWC Mercury Helios 3S Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Solution for Mac and PC
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Featuring dual Thunderbolt 40Gb/s ports with up to 85W notebook charging, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt 3 certification for Mac and Windows. Use PCIe cards with your Thunderbolt 3 Mac and Windows PC.
Highlights
- Lightning-fast 40Gbps transfer speeds: (2) Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Play your card: physical slot and enclosure support cards up to half-length, full-height, double-width
- See more: DisplayPort 1.4 for connecting up to an 8K display
- Easy card installs: No tools required
- Charge while working: 85W of notebook charging
Maximize Your PCIe Card Investment with An External PCIe Slot
A New World of Expansion Flexibility
Using a video, audio, storage, network, or even gaming PCIe card with a Mac Pro or PC desktop is a simple matter of inserting your card into an open slot. But what do you do if you have a laptop or even a space-confined desktop like an iMac or Mac mini that doesn't contain a PCIe slot?
The OWC Mercury Helios 3S is an easy to use yet powerful expansion solution that adds an external PCIe slot to your Thunderbolt 3 equipped computer. Now you can maximize your existing PCIe card investment — or expand it! — while enjoying the flexibility of adding professional-class video production, transcoding, audio processing, data storage, and high-speed network connectivity to your machine.
Retask Without Limits
Instead of buying one or more function-dedicated Thunderbolt interface devices, you can use Mercury Helios 3S like a dock for multiple PCIe cards. Capture incredibly high-quality audio with a PCIe audio card and then retask Helios 3S with a PCIe SSD card to edit and archive tracks. You can swap cards in minutes, adding a new level of flexibility to your workflow.
Capture, Stream, and Share in Seconds
With dual 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 (Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt backwards compatible), the Mercury Helios 3S offers the bandwidth needed to support data-intensive 4K capture cards to speed up diverse video workflows such as vlogging. Boost your DAW with external DSP acceleration and run larger mixes with multiple plug-ins. Livestream the action in your gaming sessions or share files over a 10GbE or Fibre Channel network without any speed throttling.
Pro-Level Performance Cards for Every Need
Mercury Helios 3S supports a wide variety of half-length, full-height, single or double-width pro-level PCIe cards from leading brands like AJA, Apogee, ATTO, Avid Pro Tools, Blackmagic Design, CalDigit, HighPoint, Intel, Solid State Logic, Universal Audio, and OWC:
Video capture
Digital audio
Solid State Drive (SSD)
40GbE/10GbE network adapters
SAS controllers
Firewire, USB, or eSATA host adapters
Add New Capabilities to Your Workflow
Thunderbolt 3 offers more than just speed. Mercury Helios 3S leverages the full power of Thunderbolt 3 to deliver added potential to your Mac or PC. Daisy-chain up to five additional Thunderbolt peripherals for incredible capabilities to work or play. Charge your notebook with 85W while you work. Even add up to an 8K display via the DisplayPort interface to expand your viewing space.
Plug and Play
No special software or drivers needed...just plug the Mercury Helios 3S into an open Thunderbolt 3 port on your computer with the included cable to immediately expand your system capabilities.
No tools required either...just remove two thumbscrews and insert a card to start enjoying productivity gains wherever your work takes you.
Includes
- (1) Mercury Helios 3S
- (1) Thunderbolt 3 cable
- (1) External power supply
- (1) Power cable
- (1) User guide
- 3 Year OWC Limited Warranty
- OWC Part Number: HELIOS3S
- Colour: Black
- Material: Aluminum
- Form Factor: PCIe
- Interface: Thunderbolt 3
- OS Compatibility: macOS 10.13 or later; Windows 10 or later
-
PCIe Cards Supported:
- Mechanical: x16 slot and enclosure support cards up to half-length, full-height, and double-width
- Bandwidth: PCIe 3.0 x4. Cards that require a minimum of x8 or more PCIe lanes are not supported.
- GPUs are not supported. If the card requires a driver, it must be Thunderbolt-aware. Cards that require more than 75W are not supported.
- RoHS: Yes
- Ports: (2) Thunderbolt 3; (1) DisplayPort 1.4
- Chipset: Thunderbolt 3: Titan Ridge (JHL7440)
- Expansion Slot: PCI Express 3.0 interface (x4) with x16 physical slot
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Display Host Capabilities:
- Supports dual display configurations via Thunderbolt 3 and DisplayPort
- The DisplayPort does not support DP++
- When using a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, make sure to use an active adapter.
-
Power:
- AC Input: 2.2A 100-240V 50-60Hz
- DC Output: 12.5A 12V
- Wattage: 150W
-
Dimensions:
- Height: 8.2 cm (3.2 in)
- Width: 14.3 cm (5.6 in)
- Length: 23.3 cm (9.2 in)
- Weight: 1.6 kg (3.64 lbs)
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Notes:
- The Mercury Helios 3S can deliver up to 85W of power for host charging when the host is connected to the 85W port.
- If the PCIe card installed uses more than 25W of power, plug in the power adapter to your host.
- You can use the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter from Apple to connect this device to a Thunderbolt 2 computer. Power Delivery is not supported in this configuration and bandwidth will be limited to ~ 1375 MB/s.
- Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt compatibility requires a certified Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable (available separately). This configuration provides data transfer at up to 20Gb/s but does not support notebook charging.
- OWC Mercury Helios 3S can deliver up to 85W of power for charging via host port.
- If the PCIe card installed uses more than 25W of power, plug in the power adapter to your host.
- Full DisplayPort 1.4 capabilities including 8K resolution depends on host computer support of DisplayPort 1.4 specification through its Thunderbolt 3 connection, host computer GPU capabilities, and connecting cable capabilities.
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Mac OS Compatibility:
- macOS 10.13 High Sierra
- macOS 10.14 Mojave
- macOS 10.15 Catalina
- macOS 11.x Big Sur
- macOS 12.x Monterey
- macOS 13.x Ventura
- macOS 14.x Sonoma
-
PC OS Compatibility:
- Windows 10 64-bit Edition
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows 11
-
Mac Pro Rack:
- (Early 2020) (January 2020) Model ID: MacPro7,1 | 3.5GHz 8-Core
- (Early 2020) (January 2020) Model ID: MacPro7,1 | 3.3GHz 12-Core
- (Early 2020) (January 2020) Model ID: MacPro7,1 | 3.2GHz 16-Core
- (Early 2020) (January 2020) Model ID: MacPro7,1 | 2.7GHz 24-Core
- (Early 2020) (January 2020) Model ID: MacPro7,1 | 2.5GHz 28-Core
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Mac Pro:
- (Late 2019) (December 2019) Model ID: MacPro7,1 | 3.5GHz 8-Core
- (Late 2019) (December 2019) Model ID: MacPro7,1 | 3.3GHz 12-Core
- (Late 2019) (December 2019) Model ID: MacPro7,1 | 3.2GHz 16-Core
- (Late 2019) (December 2019) Model ID: MacPro7,1 | 2.7GHz 24-Core
- (Late 2019) (December 2019) Model ID: MacPro7,1 | 2.5GHz 28-Core
-
Mac Pro (Late 2013):
- Late 2013 Model ID: MacPro6,1
- Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
-
Mac Studio:
- (Early 2022) Early 2022 Model ID: Mac13,2 & Mac13,1 | Apple M1 Ultra & Apple M1 Max
-
Mac mini:
- (Late 2020) Late 2020 Model ID: Macmini9,1 | Apple M1
- (Late 2018) (November, 2018) Model ID: Macmini8,1 | 3.6GHz i3, 3.0GHz i5, 3.2GHz i7
- (Late 2014) Late 2014 Model ID: Macmini7,1
- Requires Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) Adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable.
-
iMac Pro:
- (27-inch Late 2017) (December 2017) Model ID: iMacPro1,1 | 3.2GHz 8-core, 3.0GHz 10-core, 2.3GHz 14-core, 2.5GHz 18-core
-
iMac (Retina 4.5K, 24-inch, Mid 2021):
- Mid 2021 Model ID: iMac21,2 & iMac21,1 | Apple M1
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iMac w/Retina 5K display:
- (27-inch Mid 2020) (August 2020) Model ID: iMac20,1; iMac20,2 | 3.1GHz i5, 3.3GHz i5, 3.8GHz i7, 3.6GHz i9
- (27-inch Early 2019) (March 2019) Model ID: iMac19,1 | 3.0GHz i5, 3.1GHz i5, 3.7GHz i5, 3.6GHz i9
-
iMac w/Retina 4K display:
- (21.5-inch Early 2019) (March 2019) Model ID:iMac19,2 | 3.6GHz i3, 3.0GHz i5, 3.2GHz i7
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iMac w/Retina 5K display:
- (27-inch Mid 2017) (June 2017) Model ID:iMac18,3 | 3.4GHz i5, 3.5GHz i5, 3.8GHz i5, 4.2GHz i7
-
iMac w/Retina 4K display:
- (21.5-inch Mid 2017) (June 2017) Model ID:iMac18,2 | 3.0GHz i5, 3.4GHz i5, 3.6GHz i7
-
iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2017):
- (June 2017) Model ID:iMac18,1 | 2.3GHz i5
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MacBook Pro:
- (13-inch Touch Mid 2020) (May, 2020) Model ID: MacBookPro16,3 | 1.4GHz i5, 1.7GHz i7
- (13-inch Touch Mid 2020) (May, 2020) Model ID: MacBookPro16,2 | 2.0GHz i5, 2.3GHz i7
- (16-inch Touch Mid 2019) (November, 2019) Model ID: MacBookPro16,1 | 2.6GHz i7, 2.3GHz i9, 2.4GHz i9
- (15-inch Touch Mid 2019) (May, 2019) Model ID: MacBookPro15,1; MacBookPro15,3 | 2.6GHz i7, 2.3GHz i9, 2.4GHz i9
- (13-inch Touch Mid 2019) (July, 2019) Model ID: MacBookPro15,4 | 1.4GHz i5, 1.7GHz i7
- (13-inch Touch Mid 2019) (May, 2019) Model ID: MacBookPro15,2 | 2.4GHz i5, 2.8GHz i7
- (15-inch Touch Mid 2018) (July, 2018) Model ID: MacBookPro15,1 | 2.2GHz i7, 2.6GHz i7, 2.9GHz i9
- (13-inch Touch Mid 2018) (July, 2018) Model ID: MacBookPro15,2 | 2.3GHz i5, 2.7GHz i7
- (15-inch Touch Mid 2017) (June, 2017) Model ID: MacBookPro14,3 | 2.8GHz i7, 2.9GHz i7, 3.1GHz i7
- (13-inch Touch Mid 2017) (June, 2017) Model ID: MacBookPro14,2 | 3.1GHz i5, 3.3GHz i5, 3.5GHz i7
- (13-inch Retina display Mid 2017) (June, 2017) Model ID: MacBookPro14,1 | 2.3GHz i5, 2.5GHz i7
- (15-inch Touch Late 2016) (October, 2016) Model ID: MacBookPro13,3 | 2.6GHz, 2.7GHz, 2.9GHz
- (13-inch Touch Late 2016) (October, 2016) Model ID: MacBookPro13,2 | 2.9GHz, 3.1GHz, 3.3GHz
- (13-inch Retina display Late 2016) (October, 2016) Model ID: MacBookPro13,1 | 2.0GHz, 2.4GHz
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MacBook Air:
- (13-inch, Late 2020) Late 2020 Model ID: MacBookAir10,1 | Apple M1
- (13-inch, Mid 2022) Mid 2022 Model ID: Mac14,2 | Apple M2
- (13-inch Early 2020) (March 2020) Model ID: MacBookAir9,1 | 1.1GHz i3, 1.1GHz i5, 1.2GHz i7
- (13-inch Mid 2019) (July 2019) Model ID: MacBookAir8,2 | 1.6GHz i5
- (13-inch Late 2018) (November 2018) Model ID: MacBookAir8.1 | 1.6GHz i5
- PC Compatible: Compatible with Intel / AMD based desktop/laptop PCs with built-in Thunderbolt 3 ports.
-
Extended Compatibility:
- Add a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 (mDP) adapter to extend compatibility to the following machines:
- Mac Pro (December, 2013) Model ID: MacPro6,1 | 2.7GHz 3.0GHz, 3.5GHz, 3.7GHz
- iMac w/Retina 5K display (27-inch Late 2015) (October 2015) Model ID:iMac17,1 | 3.2GHz i5, 3.3GHz i5, 4.0GHz i7
- iMac w/ Retina 4K display (21.5-inch Late 2015) (October 2015) Model ID:iMac16,2 | 3.1GHz i5, 3.3GHz i7
- iMac (21.5-inch Late 2015) (October 2015) Model ID: iMac16,1 or iMac16,2 | 1.6GHz i5, 2.8GHz i5, 3.1GHz i5, 3.3GHz i7
- iMac w/Retina 5K display (27-inch Mid 2015) (May 2015) Model ID: iMac15,1 | 3.3GHz i5, 3.5GHz i5, 4.0GHz i7
- iMac w/Retina 5K display (27-inch Late 2014) (October 2014) Model ID: iMac15,1 | 3.5GHz i5, 4.0GHz i7
- iMac (27-inch Late 2013) (September 2013) Model ID: iMac14,2 | 3.2GHz i5, 3.4GHz i5, 3.5GHz i7
- iMac (27-inch Late 2012) (October 2012) Model ID: iMac13,2 | 2.9GHz i5, 3.2GHz i5, 3.4GHz i7
- iMac (27-inch Mid 2011) (May 2011) Model ID: iMac12,2 | 2.7GHz i5, 3.1GHz i5, 3.4GHz i7
- iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2014) (June 2014) Model ID: iMac14,4 | 1.4GHz i5
- iMac (21.5-inch Late 2013) (September 2013) Model ID: iMac14,3 | 2.9GHz i5 or 3.1GHz i7
- iMac (21.5-inch Late 2013) (September 2013) Model ID: iMac14,1 | 2.7GHz i5
- iMac (21.5-inch Early 2013) (March 2013) Model ID: iMac13,1 | 3.3GHz i3
- iMac (21.5-inch Late 2012) (October 2012) Model ID: iMac13,1 | 2.7GHz i5 , 2.9GHz i5, 3.1GHz i7
- iMac (21.5-inch Late 2011) (August 2011) Model ID: iMac12,1 | 3.1GHz i3
- iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011) (May 2011) Model ID: iMac12,1 | 2.5GHz i5 , 2.7GHz i5, 2.8GHz i7
- Mac mini (Late 2014) (October, 2014) Model ID: Macmini7,1 | 1.4GHz, 2.6GHz, 2.8GHz, 3.0GHz
- Mac mini (Late 2012) (October, 2012) Model ID: Macmini6,1 & Macmini6,2 | 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz, 2.6GHz
- Mac mini (Late 2012 Server) (October, 2012) Model ID: Macmini6,2 | 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz
- Mac mini (Mid 2011) (July, 2011) Model ID: Macmini5,1 & Macmini5,2 | 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz, 2.7GHz
- Mac mini (Mid 2011 Server) (July, 2011) Model ID: Macmini5,3 | 2.0GHz
- MacBook Pro (15-inch Retina display Mid 2015) (May, 2015) Model ID: MacBookPro11,4; MacBookPro11,5 | 2.2GHz, 2.5GHz, 2.8GHz
- MacBook Pro (13-inch Retina display Early 2015) (March, 2015) Model ID: MacBookPro12,1 | 2.7GHz, 2.9GHz, 3.1GHz
- MacBook Pro (13-inch Retina Display 2013 - 2014) (October, 2013 - July, 2014) Model ID: MacBookPro11,1 | 2.4GHz, 2.6GHz, 2.8GHz, 2.9GHz, 3.0GHz
- MacBook Pro (15-inch Retina Display 2013 - 2014) (October, 2013 - July, 2014) Model ID: MacBookPro11,2 | 2.0GHz, 2.2GHz, 2.5GHz, 2.8GHz
- MacBook Pro (15-inch Retina Display 2013 - 2014) (October, 2013 - July, 2014) Model ID: MacBookPro11,3 | 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz, 2.6GHz, 2.8GHz
- MacBook Pro (15-inch Retina Display 2013) (January, 2013) Model ID: MacBookPro10,1 | 2.4GHz, 2.7GHz, 2.8GHz
- MacBook Pro (13-inch Retina Display 2013) (January, 2013) Model ID: MacBookPro10,2 | 2.5GHz, 2.6GHz, 2.9GHz, 3.0GHz
- MacBook Pro (13-inch Retina Display 2012-2013) (October, 2012) Model ID: MacBookPro10,2 | 2.5GHz, 2.9GHz
- MacBook Pro (15-inch Retina Display 2012) (June, 2012) Model ID: MacBookPro10,1 | 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz, 2.7GHz
- MacBook Pro (15-inch 2012) (June, 2012) Model ID: MacBookPro9,1 | 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz, 2.7GHz
- MacBook Pro (13-inch 2012) (June, 2012) Model ID: MacBookPro9,2 | 2.5GHz, 2.9GHz
- MacBook Pro (17-inch 2011) (October, 2011) Model ID: MacBookPro8,3 | 2.4GHz, 2.5GHz
- MacBook Pro (15-inch 2011) (October, 2011) Model ID: MacBookPro8,2 | 2.2GHz, 2.4GHz, 2.5GHz
- MacBook Pro (13-inch 2011) (October, 2011) Model ID: MacBookPro8,1 | 2.4GHz, 2.8GHz
- MacBook Pro (17-inch Early 2011) (February, 2011) Model ID: MacBookPro8,3 | 2.2GHz, 2.3GHz
- MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011) (February, 2011) Model ID: MacBookPro8,2 | 2.0GHz, 2.2GHz, 2.3GHz
- MacBook Air (13-inch Early 2015) (March 2015) Model ID: MacBookAir7,2 | 1.6GHz i5, 2.2GHz i7
- MacBook Air (11-inch Early 2015) (March 2015) Model ID: MacBookAir7,1 | 1.6GHz i5, 2.2GHz i7
- MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2013) (June, 2013) Model ID: MacBookAir6,2 | 1.3GHz, 1.7GHz
- MacBook Air (11-inch Mid 2013) (June, 2013) Model ID: MacBookAir6,1 | 1.3GHz, 1.7GHz
- MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2012) (June, 2012) Model ID: MacBookAir5,2 | 1.8GHz, 2.0GHz
- MacBook Air (11-inch Mid 2012) (June, 2012) Model ID: MacBookAir5,1 | 1.7GHz, 2.0GHz
- MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2011) (July, 2011) Model ID: MacBookAir4,2 | 1.7GHz, 1.8GHz
- MacBook Air (11-inch Mid 2011) (July, 2011) Model ID: MacBookAir4,1 | 1.6GHz, 1.8GHz