StarTech.com Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis — External Enclosure with 1 PCIe Slot for 5K/4K Output

The StarTech.com Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis is a high-performance solution designed for professionals and creatives who need to extend the capabilities of laptops and compact desktops. By housing a single PCI Express card inside a rugged external enclosure, this chassis unlocks desktop-grade expansion right via a Thunderbolt 3 connection. Whether you’re rendering complex 3D scenes, accelerating video workflows, or adding specialized PCIe devices to a portable workstation, this enclosure delivers the speed, reliability, and versatility you demand. Built for durability and designed with cooling in mind, it keeps your card performing at its best during long workloads, while supporting high-resolution output up to 5K or multiple 4K displays through TB3/DP pathways. It’s an ideal companion for mobile professionals, creative studios, and on-site technicians who require a powerful PCIe expansion without sacrificing mobility.

• Single PCIe expansion slot for full-length cards: Houses one PCI Express card, expanding your system with desktop-level power in a portable enclosure. Use your graphics card, RAID controller, capture card, NIC, or other PCIe devices to turbocharge your laptop or compact workstation.
• Thunderbolt 3 connectivity with blazing bandwidth: Leveraging the 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 3 interface, the chassis delivers PCIe bandwidth to your card with minimal latency, enabling GPU-accelerated workflows, fast data transfer, and responsive peripheral operation when connected to a compatible host.
• 5K/4K display output capability: Supports high-resolution display output via DisplayPort pathways and TB3 when paired with a compatible graphics card, allowing stunning 5K (5120x2880) at 60 Hz or multiple 4K displays for professional video editing, color grading, and design work.
• Rugged, thermally optimized aluminum enclosure: A durable metal chassis with efficient cooling keeps the installed PCIe card operating within safe temperatures during extended sessions, while a robust external power supply ensures stable power delivery to high-performance cards.
• Cross‑platform compatibility and plug‑and‑play setup: Designed to work with Windows and macOS systems that support Thunderbolt 3, offering a straightforward, driver-light experience for seamless integration into diverse workflows and environments.

Technical Details of StarTech.com Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis

• One PCI Express 3.0 x4 expansion slot for a single full-length PCIe card (up to standard lengths specified by the enclosure)
• Thunderbolt 3 interface providing up to 40 Gbps total bandwidth for PCIe extension
• Supports 5K (5120x2880) at 60 Hz or 4K (4096x2160/3840x2160) at 60 Hz display output when paired with compatible graphics cards and displays
• Durable aluminum enclosure with efficient cooling design to maintain performance during sustained workloads
• External power supply required to deliver adequate wattage for PCIe cards
• Compatible with Windows and macOS platforms that support Thunderbolt 3
• Designed for easy integration in professional environments, studios, and on-site deployments

How to install StarTech.com Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis

• Verify that your host computer supports Thunderbolt 3 with PCIe expansion and that you have a Thunderbolt 3 cable ready for connection.
• Power off your computer and the Thunderbolt chassis before making any connections.
• Open the enclosure and carefully insert your PCIe card into the available PCIe slot, seating it firmly for proper connection.
• Close the enclosure and connect the PCIe card’s power connector if required by your model, then attach the external power supply to the chassis and plug it into a reliable outlet.
• Connect the chassis to your computer using a Thunderbolt 3 cable, power on the chassis, and then boot your computer. The system should recognize the card; install any necessary drivers or software if prompted. Verify operation by running a PCIe-dependent application or benchmarking tool to confirm performance.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: Does this chassis support 5K output? A: Yes. When paired with a compatible PCIe card and monitor, it can deliver 5K output (5120x2880) at 60 Hz via Thunderbolt 3/DisplayPort pathways.
• Q: What kind of PCIe card can I install? A: The chassis is designed for a single full-length PCIe card (typical form factor x4 PCIe 3.0). Check your card’s dimensions to ensure a proper fit within the enclosure’s specifications.
• Q: Which operating systems are supported? A: The enclosure is compatible with Windows and macOS systems that support Thunderbolt 3, enabling a broad range of professional workflows.
• Q: Do I need an external power supply? A: Yes. An external power adapter is required to provide sufficient wattage for high-performance PCIe cards installed in the chassis.
• Q: Is it hot-pluggable? A: On supported systems, Thunderbolt 3 enclosures typically support hot-swapping. For best results, follow the recommended installation steps and safely remove the device through your operating system if needed.
• Q: Can I use this with multiple displays? A: Depending on the PCIe card installed and the displays you connect, you can drive one 5K display or multiple 4K displays through the appropriate DisplayPort connections and TB3 pathways supported by the card and host.