PCIe adapter Sonnet Echo Express SEL Thunderbolt 3 host interface, PCIe x4 card expansion, PCI 3.0, black

Sonnet Echo Express SEL (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) is a compact external PCIe adapter that connects to a host computer via Thunderbolt 3 and provides a single low-profile PCIe x8 slot (PCI Express 3.0) for add-in cards. The black aluminum chassis houses a variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan and supports common desktop expansion cards for networking, storage controllers, video capture and processing, and other PCIe devices. The unit includes a Thunderbolt 3 cable and mounting retainer and is compatible with macOS 10.12–10.14 and a range of Windows 10 editions. Its small footprint makes it suitable for systems without internal expansion slots while delivering up to PCIe bandwidth necessary for high-performance cards.

Advantages

The Echo Express SEL uses Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps) to deliver high PCIe bandwidth sufficient for many 4K video capture and processing cards, dual-port 10Gb Ethernet adapters, and 16 Gb Fibre Channel cards. Its compact aluminum body provides durable protection for the installed card and the fan control maintains reliable thermal performance with low acoustic output. Two Thunderbolt 3 ports support host connection and daisy-chaining of additional Thunderbolt peripherals, and the device supplies up to 15 watts to bus-powered devices connected to the downstream port. A short Thunderbolt 3 cable and a ThunderLok retainer clip are included to secure the connection and reduce the risk of accidental disconnection.

Suitable for

• Connecting a low-profile PCIe card to thin notebooks, small form factor, or all-in-one computers
• High-speed networking cards such as 10GbE and 40GbE adapters
• Fibre Channel host bus adapters and high-performance storage controllers
• Video capture, processing and I/O cards used for 4K/5K workflows
• SAS/SATA host adapters and RAID controller cards for external storage

Key specifications

• External interface: Thunderbolt 3 (two ports; 40 Gbps)
• PCIe slot: single low-profile x8 physical slot, PCI Express 3.0 signaling
• Maximum practical PCIe bandwidth: up to approx. 2750 MB/s of host PCIe bandwidth over Thunderbolt 3
• Chassis material: aluminum with internal airflow path
• Cooling: variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan for quiet operation
• Power: internal power supply; provides up to 15 W on downstream Thunderbolt port for bus-powered devices
• Included accessories: 0.5 m Thunderbolt 3 cable and cable retainer (ThunderLok)
• Dimensions: 103 × 210 × 72.8 mm

How to use

Install a compatible low-profile PCIe card into the Echo Express SEL slot following the manufacturer’s orientation and fastening instructions. Connect the included Thunderbolt 3 cable from the SEL’s host Thunderbolt port to a Thunderbolt 3 port on your computer; if required, attach the ThunderLok retainer clip to secure the cable. Power the unit from its AC adapter; the device powers on and off automatically with the computer. If needed, connect additional Thunderbolt peripherals to the second downstream Thunderbolt 3 port. Confirm driver support and OS compatibility for the installed PCIe card on the host operating system before use.

Usage recommendations

The Echo Express SEL is intended for use with Thunderbolt 3-equipped computers and compatible PCIe cards. For optimal performance, use PCIe 3.0 low-profile cards designed for single-slot external installation, keep ventilation unobstructed, and ensure the host operating system has the latest drivers for the installed card. Secure the Thunderbolt cable with the included ThunderLok to reduce the chance of accidental disconnects during data transfers.