TerraMaster‘s latest DAS device has a different setup then we’re used to seeing. The 5-bay USB-C DAS uses a clever drive setup that I’m sure a lot of people will appreciate.
Exclusive Drive Setup
The unique feature in this DAS is its exclusive 2+3 drive setup. The first two drives can be set to RAID 0 or RAID 1, or they can be run as single drives. The last three drives are always run as single drives, thus offering you a maximum capacity on those.
Let’s face it, we only got a small portion of data that really needs the security of drive redundancy. Most data can be gathered again, and while it is a tedious process, it’s possible. So why waste all that drive capacity to a redundant drive setup. The first two drives can be set for this and this is where you keep your most vital data. The other three drives can then be mixed and matched to your liking in order to gain a maximum amount of storage from those drives. It also eliminates the need for all drives to be the same.
Connectivity and Performance
The TerraMaster D5-300C connects through a USB 3.0 Gen.1 interface. The unit itself has a Type-C connector and it comes with a 1m Type-C to Type-A cable.
The official performance figures come from a setup with two SSHDs and the D5-300C delivered 410MB/s read speed and 400MB/s write speed in this scenario. With that in mind, we’re onto the next. Compatibility. The unit supports all kinds of drives: SSDs, HDDs, and SSHDs. So the choice is yours.
Design and Cooling
As with other TerraMaster units, the D5-300C is made with a beautiful aluminium enclosure. It doesn’t just look good, it also aids the cooling of the system. What the chassis can’t handle is covered by the two fans which look like they’re 80mm or 92mm fans.
Pricing and Availability
The TerraMaster D5-300C is available now. On Amazon US and UK it will cost you $299.99 and £299.99 respectively.
We also have a unit on the way and we will have the full review for you shortly.
