0800 195 4072
Free Shipping
Key Features
Text
Compatibility
Product Description
Sonnet designed the Echo™ Express SE I Thunderbolt™ 2 to PCIe card expansion system to be easily upgraded to 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3. Simply replace the existing Thunderbolt interface board with the upgrade board, and then your chassis will instantly support higher performance, and connect to your Thunderbolt computer without the need for an adapter.
Upgrade Instead of Adapting
Why adapt when upgrading offers more? With the Thunderbolt 3 upgrade card installed you get:
- Easy to Install 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 Upgrade Card –
- Replaces Existing 20Gbps Thunderbolt 2 Interface Board
- Improves Performance with High-Bandwidth PCIe Cards –
- Provides 30% More Bandwidth (Up to 1750 MB/s)
- Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports
- Compatible with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt/USB4 computers
- ThunderLok™ 3-compatible
- 2-year Product Warranty
- Free Lifetime Customer Technical Support
- Designed in the USA
Thunderbolt 3 Upgrade Card IconSonnet designed Echo™ Express and xMac™ mini Server Thunderbolt 2 to PCIe card expansion systems (plus select Thunderbolt 2 adapters) to be easily upgraded to 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3(1). Simply replace the existing Thunderbolt interface board with the upgrade board, and then your chassis will instantly support higher performance, and connect to your Thunderbolt 3 equipped computer(2) without needing an adapter.
Increased Bandwidth, Better Performance
With a Thunderbolt 3 interface card installed, your upgraded Sonnet Thunderbolt 2 system gains from 30% to 100% more bandwidth for the installed PCIe cards over the original system (see performance Tab for details). Installed in an upgraded system, PCIe cards with high bandwidth requirements, such as 16Gb Fibre Channel and 4K Video I/O cards supporting high frame rates, will be able to perform even better than before(3).
Connect USB Devices, or Displays
Sonnet's Thunderbolt 3 upgrade cards also provide 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 support, meaning you can connect a USB device to the second port using the proper cable or adapter(5); they also provide full support for connecting two 4K displays @ 60Hz or one 5K display @ 60Hz(6).
ThunderLok™ 3-Compatible
Sonnet’s Thunderbolt 3 upgrade cards support the ThunderLok 3 Thunderbolt connector retainer clip.
The ThunderLok 3 (included with xMac mini Server kit; otherwise sold separately) secures the Thunderbolt cable (included with xMac mini Server Kit; otherwise sold separately) to the chassis(7), and 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, ThunderLok 3 remains on the cable so it won’t get lost when not in use.
Sonnet Thunderbolt Expansion Partners
Sonnet works closely with the following partners to ensure Thunderbolt compatibility for their products.
See the PCIe Card Thunderbolt Compatibility Chart for a list of products that have passed Thunderbolt compatibility testing with Sonnet products.
Specification
Part No. BRD-UPGRTB3-SE1 / BRD-UPGRTB3-SE2
Warranty 2-years
External Connectors Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
Form Factor Full-height
Interface PCIe 3.0
Operating Temperature 0˚C to 35˚C (32˚F to 95˚F)
RoHS Compliant Yes
Package Contents
- Thunderbolt 3 upgrade card
- Documentation
Sonnet Hardware Compatibility
- BRD-UPGRTB3-SE1
- Echo Express SE I (Thunderbolt 2 Edition)
- BRD-UPGRTB3-SE2
- Echo Express SE II (Thunderbolt 2 Edition)
Mac Compatibility
- Mac with Thunderbolt/USB4,Thunderbolt 4, or Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Macs with Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt ports with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
- macOS® 10.12.6+
- macOS Ventura compatible
PC Compatibility
- PC with Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 port(8)
- Windows® 11 or 10
- Part No. BRD-UPGRTB3-SEL, BRD-UPGRTB3-SE1
- Windows 11 (Future Release 23H1+required), or 10
- Part No. BRD-UPGRTB3-SE2, BRD-UPGRTB3-E3,
- BRD-UPGRTB3-XM
Technical Notes
1. Check compatibility listings on this page for currently supported systems. Other systems will be added once certified.
2. Connection to a computer with Thunderbolt 3 ports requires the use of a Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cable, like any of Sonnet’s Thunderbolt 3 cables, for full performance.
3. While each Thunderbolt 3 upgrade card features a 40Gbps interface, some computers equipped with Thunderbolt 3 use an implementation of Thunderbolt 3 technology that limits PCIe performance to 20Gbps. The MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) also has this limitation in the two right-hand Thunderbolt 3 ports, while offering full performance from the left-hand ports.
4. Second Thunderbolt 3 port supports Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 devices on Macs when used with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter, sold separately.
5. Second Thunderbolt 3 port supports USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps) or Gen 2 (10Gbps) devices when connected with proper cable or adapter (sold separately).
6. One 4K monitor directly supported. Two 4K monitors requires either a 4K monitor with multi-stream transport support (DP out), or a Thunderbolt 3-to-Dual DisplayPort adapter. 5K monitor support requires a Thunderbolt 3-to-Dual DisplayPort adapter.
7. ThunderLok 3 compatible specifically with Sonnet 0.5- and 0.7-meter Thunderbolt 3 cables; Sonnet 1-meter Thunderbolt 3 cables require ThunderLok 3L.
8. Windows computers require the latest firmware (BIOS) and other drivers to support this product. Check with your computer manufacturer for update information. Not all Mac-compatible PCIe cards are also compatible with Windows. See the PCIe Card Thunderbolt Compatibility Chart for details.
Compatibility
Sonnet Hardware Compatibility
BRD-UPGRTB3-SE1 - Echo Express SE I (Thunderbolt 2 Edition)
BRD-UPGRTB3-SE2 - Echo Express SE II (Thunderbolt 2 Edition)
Mac Compatibility
Mac with Thunderbolt/USB4,Thunderbolt 4, or Thunderbolt 3 ports
Macs with Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt ports with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
macOS® 10.12.6+
macOS Sonoma compatible
PC Compatibility
PC with Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 port(8)
Windows® 11 or 10
Part No. BRD-UPGRTB3-SEL, BRD-UPGRTB3-SE1
Windows 11 (Future Release 23H1+required), or 10
Part No. BRD-UPGRTB3-SE2, BRD-UPGRTB3-E3,
BRD-UPGRTB3-XM
Notes:
Windows computers require the latest firmware (BIOS) and other drivers to support this product. Check with your computer manufacturer for updated information. Not all Mac-compatible PCIe cards are also compatible with Windows. See the PCIe Card Thunderbolt Compatibility Chart for details.
Shipping & Returns
- Free UK Shipping: Delivered in approx. 2 working days
- Express Options: Faster methods available at checkout
- Free Shipping to Ireland: For orders over £100.00
- International Delivery: Times vary by destination; shipped via FedEx or DHL
- 30-Day Returns: Return within 30 days from order date
- UK, Ireland and EU Customers: Free return label provided
- Full Return Policy: Read Here
- Full Shipping Details: Read Here
Payment
Safe payment on our website.
Pay by card, Klarna, PayPal, Apple Pay, G-Pay, Shop Pay, Revolut, Bancontact, iDeal, or even bank transfer.
Customer Service
Email and chat available 24/7
Free number UK: 08001954072
International: +442838341148
Phone Line Opening Hours
- Monday - Friday: 09:00-17:00
