The T5000-384 is the 384-well plate variant of the Benchmark TC9639 Thermal Cycler family — same chassis architecture as the T5000-96 multi-format-block variant, with the sample block configured as a dedicated 384-well plate block for high-throughput 384-well PCR / qPCR / RT-PCR workflows. $7,607 list price carries a $1,072 premium over the T5000-96 multi-format-block variant ($6,535) reflecting the 384-well block configuration.
For complete chassis specifications, touch-screen program wizard, heated lid, simulated sample temperature control, and full application profile, see the T5000-96 parent page (multi-format block variant).
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
| SKU | T5000-384 (US plug) |
| Type | Thermal cycler with 384-well plate block |
| Sample block capacity | 1 × 384-well plate per cycle (4× the per-cycle throughput of the 96-well multi-format block) |
| Temperature control range | 0 – 100 °C |
| Accuracy / uniformity | ±0.2 °C / ±0.2 °C |
| Maximum ramp rate | 4 °C/second |
| Heated lid temperature | 30 – 112 °C user adjustable |
| Power supply | Universal 75–275 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Communication | USB, LAN, RS232 |
| Sister SKU (multi-format block) | T5000-96 ($6,535) — accepts 96-well tube/strip/plate workflows |
| List price | $7,607 |
Why 384-Well — High-Throughput PCR Workflows
The 384-well plate format delivers 4× the per-cycle throughput of standard 96-well workflows — important for high-throughput labs where per-day cycle count is the bottleneck:
| Workflow | 96-well per cycle | 384-well per cycle | 4× throughput advantage |
| PCR-product screening | 96 | 384 | Single cycle replaces 4 × 96-well cycles |
| qPCR plate (with compatible 384-well qPCR cycler) | 96 | 384 | 4× more samples per qPCR run |
| NGS library QC | 96 libraries | 384 libraries | 4× library QC throughput |
| Multi-investigator shared cycler | 4 investigators × 24 samples | 16 investigators × 24 samples | 4× facility utilization |
Pick the 384-well variant when:
- Workflow consumes 384+ samples per cycle on a regular basis
- High-throughput sequencing core, biotech R&D production, clinical-research diagnostic facility
- Multi-investigator shared cycler facility where 4× per-cycle throughput supports more investigators
Pick the multi-format block variant (T5000-96) when:
- Workflows are a mix of tube / strip / 96-well plate formats (multi-format block flexibility outweighs 384-well throughput need)
- Single-investigator or small-research-group lab where 96-well per-cycle throughput is sufficient
- Need slide-format in-situ PCR support (T5000-A-IS adapter only fits the multi-format block, not the 384-well block)
T5000-96 vs T5000-384 — Pick the Right Block
| Feature | T5000-96 multi-format block | T5000-384 384-well block (this product) |
| Per-cycle throughput | 96 reactions | 384 reactions |
| Format flexibility | 96 × 0.2 mL tubes/strips, 39 × 0.5 mL tubes, 1 × 96-well plate, 4 slides (with adapter) | 384-well plate only |
| In-situ slide adapter | Yes (T5000-A-IS) | No |
| List price | $6,535 | $7,607 ($1,072 premium) |
| Best for | Mixed-format workflows; flexibility | High-throughput 384-well workflows |
Application Profile
High-throughput PCR-product screening — the workhorse application. Sequencing core facilities, biotech R&D, and clinical-research diagnostic labs running 384-sample PCR batches.
384-well qPCR / RT-qPCR workflows — when paired with 384-well qPCR-compatible plate format and downstream qPCR cycler.
NGS library QC at scale — sequencing core facilities running 384-library QC PCR per batch.
Multi-investigator shared facilities — facilities where 4× per-cycle throughput supports more investigators per cycler.
Pharma / biotech screening pipelines — drug-discovery PCR pipelines with 384-sample batch throughput.
Production-scale clinical-research diagnostics — clinical-research labs running high-throughput diagnostic PCR panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plate format does the T5000-384 accept? A single 384-well plate per cycle — 4× the per-cycle throughput of the 96-well block.
What is the temperature range and ramp rate? 0–100 °C with a maximum ramp rate of 4 °C/second and ±0.2 °C accuracy / uniformity.
What is the heated-lid range? 30–112 °C, user adjustable.
How does it differ from the T5000-96? The T5000-96 ($6,535) is a multi-format block (tubes / strips / plate / slides); the T5000-384 ($7,607) is a dedicated 384-well plate block.
Does the in-situ slide adapter work with the 384-well block? No — the T5000-A-IS adapter fits only the T5000-96 multi-format block.
Ordering & Configuration
Plug type at order. Confirm at quote whether the order is the US-plug (T5000-384) or EU-plug variant.
Workflow format confirmation. Confirm the workflow is exclusively or predominantly 384-well plate format — for mixed tube/strip/plate workflows, the T5000-96 multi-format block variant is the better pick.
Plate compatibility. Confirm 384-well plate format compatibility with the chassis sample block — confirm specific plate-skirt format and plate-vendor compatibility at order.
Confirm at quote: workflow throughput (justifies 384-well over 96-well), plug type, plate-format compatibility, training requirements, and lead time.
Warranty: Per Benchmark standard warranty terms — confirm at quote.
Benchmark TC9639 Thermal Cycler family:
- T5000-96 — Multi-format block (96 × 0.2 mL tubes/strips, 39 × 0.5 mL tubes, 96-well plate, 4 slides) at $6,535
- T5000-384 (this product) — 384-well plate block at $7,607
- T5000-A-IS — In-situ slide adapter (fits T5000-96 only, not T5000-384)
Pick the 384-well variant for high-throughput 384-well plate workflows; pick the multi-format variant for mixed-format flexibility.
