PCIe Cards Support

Connect Up to Three PCIe Cards to Your New Mac Pro

The latest Mac Pro's compact size makes it more transportable and rack space efficient than the older tower, but it doesn't accommodate onboard PCIe cards or storage expansion. Sonnet’s xMac Pro Server supports three full-length PCIe cards through its PCIe Card Expansion Module. It integrates a universal 300W⁽⁴⁾ power supply and includes a 75W PCIe power connector for cards that require supplementary power, such as the Avid Pro Tools|HDX or the RED^® ROCKET-X.

Even with all that power, xMac Pro Server is enviro-friendly; it automatically powers the PCIe expansion system on or off whenever the connected computer powers on or wakes, or powers off or sleeps, respectively.

Every Thunderbolt-Compatible Card Supported

The xMac Pro Server supports three full-length PCIe cards, or one double-width, full-length card plus one single-width card, enabling it to support every Thunderbolt-compatible card available. PCIe 1.1, PCIe 2.0, and PCIe 3.0 cards are supported.

Do you have a card in mind but aren't sure it's compatible with Thunderbolt? We've worked closely with PCIe card manufacturers to provide a list of compatible PCIe cards on our PCIe Card Thunderbolt Compatibility Chart. The chart provides an up-to-date list of cards that have been tested to be recognized over a Thunderbolt connection and compatible with Thunderbolt technology requirements.

RED ROCKET Supporter

If you’re a RED ROCKET or RED ROCKET-X user, you already know that the card normally takes up two PCIe slots—one for the card itself and another for the BNC connector bracket (for HD-SDI output). Sonnet designed xMac Pro Server to accommodate the card/bracket pair in a single slot. The xMac Pro Server includes mounting holes designed specifically for the installation of two BNC connectors, enabling you to install the RED ROCKET card in one slot and its BNC connectors in the Echo chassis’ mounting holes, leaving the two remaining slots open. The extra bandwidth afforded by the Thunderbolt 2 interface significantly increases the ROCKET’s throughput, too.

Designed for BNC Connector Cables—xMac Pro Server's back panel has two mounting holes for BNC connectors, allowing the use of a RED ROCKET card without the need for the BNC connector bracket that would normally occupy a valuable PCIe slot.