24" iMac with 300gb VelociRaptor

[jwright]

Hi All,

Just received my 3.06GHz iMac and immediately installed a WD 300gb 10000rpm VelociRaptor, really easy to fit and I am amazed at the performance increase.
Xbench 2.0 Results 212.09
Disk Test 103.95
Sequential 158.70
Uncached Write 203.57 124.99 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 200.56 113.48 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 91.54 26.79 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 228.23 114.70 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Random 77.28
Uncached Write 28.85 3.05 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 208.06 66.61 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 129.92 0.92 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 217.76 40.41 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Cheers
j

[KernalROM]

Good job but please post your results prior to the install so they can be compared.

[mattcube64]

How was installation? What kind of boot-up times are you getting?

[TIGOS]

XBench 2.0??? http://www.xbench.com/

[losierp]

Just curious as two what fan speed you're getting and what temperatures are reported.

Great idea, hope you enjoy your mod.

[Entopia7]

I was under the impression that the VelociRaptor was a laptop drive mounted in a desktop drive-sized heatsink... Won't the absence of the large heatsink be an issue?

[idyll]

Yeah does it run any louder - even the harddrive itself if not the computer due to fans? Hotter?

Does this void the warranty?

That's a killer upgrade.

[G-Force]

I was under the impression that the VelociRaptor was a laptop drive mounted in a desktop drive-sized heatsink... Won't the absence of the large heatsink be an issue?
Why would he remove the heatsink?

[richard.mac]

iMacs have 3.5" hard drives so the raptor + heatsink will fit fine.

[idyll]

Ouch, I see it's a $300 upgrade eh.. I found some benchmarks on barefeats:

http://www.barefeats.com/hard103.html

Boots almost twice as fast as the OEM drive... I guess one advantage iMac users might have is that it should be even easier to install than it is in the Mac Pro?

Oh, and apparently if you install XP/Vista on a partion on this HD you won't be able to run it? Have you attempted this OP? I don't plan on running Windows on my computer so I think I should be fine...

[Entopia7]

Why would he remove the heatsink?
Right, sorry about that. Tired last night.

[jwright]

Sorry haven't got the results from before the upgrade but applications open faster, the Hard Disk is quieter and the machine runs cooler, I was worried that the raptor would be noisy like previous models but the 300gb it very quiet. if you look at the spec of the VelociRapter it's a 3.5" HD in a 5.5" heat sink, this is a strait swap for the standard drive.

I didn't have to touch any of the "Void Warranty" tags during installation, if I have a problem will just install the original drive.

I am running Vista in Bootcamp and Vista, 2008 server, XP in VMware Fusion (have to for work!)

As for installation instructions I found a post on this site:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=350120

Cheers

[Phil A.]

It's a fantastic drive, but the capacity is a bit small for me - I went for the 1TB drive in my iMac and constantly worry I'll run out of space :D

[negatv1]

Those are awesome benchmark numbers. IMO - still a bit too low on the GB/$ ratio - but getting close.

[Leon Kowalski]

... if you look at the spec of the VelociRapter it's a 3.5" HD in a 5.5" heat sink ...

No. It's a 2.5" disk mechanism that mounts in a standard 3.5" bay:

"IcePack™ Mounting Frame - The 2.5-inch WD VelociRaptor
is enclosed in a 3.5-inch enterprise-class mounting frame ..."

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=459

BTW, the heat sink appears to be largely cosmetic -- the drive itself
consumes substantially less power than an ordinary 3.5" / 7200 rpm.

Is it really faster than a 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F or Seagate 7200.11?

LK

[iMpathetic]

That's awesome, but I'm baffled as to why your iMac isn't cooking itself. ;)

[gehrbox]

That's awesome, but I'm baffled as to why your iMac isn't cooking itself. ;)

It's setting in the IcePack mount? Leon says is cosmetic, so it figures it would go hand in hand with an iMac :)

[vansouza]

OMG, you popped your warrantee that quickly... scary.

[idyll]

So what do you guys think... Is this safe? Will it make my iMac run that much hotter?

Also, those of you asking about the Spinpoint, etc. check out the barefeats benchmarks I posted. It really seems to be that much faster..

[negatv1]

I doubt you'll turn your iMac into molten aluminum... :)

[Leon Kowalski]

Also, those of you asking about the Spinpoint, etc. check out the barefeats benchmarks I posted.
Also check out the benchmarks on tomshardware.com (http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/3-5-hard-drive-charts/maximum-read-transfer-rate,666.html?p=2024%2C1824%2C1823%2C1821%2C1825%2C1822%2C1766%2C1805%2C1806%2C1808%2C1784%2C1798%2C 1783%2C1782%2C1807%2C1804%2C1815%2C1814%2C1802%2C1811%2C1765%2C1803%2C1809%2C1816%2C1785%2C1797%2C17 95%2C1847%2C1844%2C1774%2C1772%2C1800%2C1799%2C1778%2C1776%2C1846%2C1781%2C1770%2C1769%2C2028%2C1775 %2C1777%2C1817%2C1793%2C1768%2C1773%2C1771%2C1767%2C1792%2C1779%2C1826%2C1794%2C1780%2C1791%2C1786%2 C1787%2C1819%2C1829%2C2022%2C1827%2C1813%2C1839%2C1818%2C1790%2C2023%2C1832%2C1831%2C1796%2C1788%2C1 828%2C1820%2C1789%2C1830%2C1812%2C1845%2C1841%2C1843%2C2029%2C1840%2C1833%2C2021%2C1838%2C1836%2C183 4%2C1842%2C1835%2C1837%2C) -- very impressive on
I/O operations per second, little/no advantage on read/write transfer rates.

Limited capacity, high $$/GB. Just like race cars ...how fast can you afford?

OTOH, it's the coolest-running 3.5" form-factor drive on tomshardware's
charts -- not too surprising given the 6.08 watt power consumption spec.

...maybe a good match for Apple's aluminum and glass furnace,

LK

[idyll]

Also check out the benchmarks on tomshardware.com (http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/3-5-hard-drive-charts/maximum-read-transfer-rate,666.html?p=2024%2C1824%2C1823%2C1821%2C1825%2C1822%2C1766%2C1805%2C1806%2C1808%2C1784%2C1798%2C 1783%2C1782%2C1807%2C1804%2C1815%2C1814%2C1802%2C1811%2C1765%2C1803%2C1809%2C1816%2C1785%2C1797%2C17 95%2C1847%2C1844%2C1774%2C1772%2C1800%2C1799%2C1778%2C1776%2C1846%2C1781%2C1770%2C1769%2C2028%2C1775 %2C1777%2C1817%2C1793%2C1768%2C1773%2C1771%2C1767%2C1792%2C1779%2C1826%2C1794%2C1780%2C1791%2C1786%2 C1787%2C1819%2C1829%2C2022%2C1827%2C1813%2C1839%2C1818%2C1790%2C2023%2C1832%2C1831%2C1796%2C1788%2C1 828%2C1820%2C1789%2C1830%2C1812%2C1845%2C1841%2C1843%2C2029%2C1840%2C1833%2C2021%2C1838%2C1836%2C183 4%2C1842%2C1835%2C1837%2C) -- very impressive on
I/O operations per second, little/no advantage on read/write transfer rates.

Limited capacity, high $$/GB. Just like race cars ...how fast can you afford?

OTOH, it's the coolest-running 3.5" form-factor drive on tomshardware's
charts -- not too surprising given the 6.08 watt power consumption spec.

...maybe a good match for Apple's aluminum and glass furnace,

LK



Where can I find the temperature comparisons? So the VelociRaptor is actually the coolest?

[trentiles]

I assume this can also be done in the 20" iMac?

[idyll]

Yeah I'm pretty sure you can install it there as well. :)

I'm really tempted.. Or the SpinPoint. Its just $80 for 500GB it seems vs. $300 for 300GB for the VelociRaptor :/

[trentiles]

If I decide to change out the hd I am definitely going with the velociraptor. I would like my internal hd to be as fast as possible and 300gb of storage is plenty. I have a huge external drive for movies and such. Plus the cooler operating temps of the velociraptor are always welcome.

[negatv1]

I assume this can also be done in the 20" iMac?

Yeah, no problems.

[idyll]

If I decide to change out the hd I am definitely going with the velociraptor. I would like my internal hd to be as fast as possible and 300gb of storage is plenty. I have a huge external drive for movies and such. Plus the cooler operating temps of the velociraptor are always welcome.



Yeah I agree 100%. I would most likely take out the HD that comes with the iMac and put that in a FW 800 external case.

[zepharus]

It's a fantastic drive, but the capacity is a bit small for me - I went for the 1TB drive in my iMac and constantly worry I'll run out of space :D

Porn adds up quick doesnt it.....

[Tom Sawyer]

Seems like Apple should consider these drives as an option on the high end machine. Although it would probably run $500 but many don't like to open their machines.

I'm a speed freak so this is tempting but I'll most likely wait until I've upgraded my 2.4 to a 3 or greater in the future. I've avoided the upgrade bug thus far and my 2.4 is still serving me quite well...

[idyll]

I keep thinking about it and at $1 / 1 GB I've decided I'll wait it out. The SpinPoint is almost there performance-wise, and at $80 for 500GB you can't beat it.. Though I bet it will run hotter and use more energy too :/

[trentiles]

Well I was bored Sunday and my wallet got the best of me. I ran out and get the Velociraptor for my 20" iMac.

Install wasn't too bad. The only problem I ran into was that since the VR has the SATA/Power in a non-traditional spot it was a bit difficult getting the cables to reach. There was barely any slack on the cables but after about 15 minutes of wrestling with the drive I got everything in.

The drive is definitely very fast and quiet as well. Temps seem to be a bit lower now compared to before installing the VR.

The iMac was no slouch before installing this drive but everything just seems soooo much snappier now.

[Tom Sawyer]

I keep thinking about it and at $1 / 1 GB I've decided I'll wait it out. The SpinPoint is almost there performance-wise, and at $80 for 500GB you can't beat it.. Though I bet it will run hotter and use more energy too :/

FWIW, I just purchased 4 1TB Seagate ES.2's (server grade 7200.11's) for $150 each shipped from a reputable (sold many drives at that price/model with positive feedback) seller. Should have them next week....

[idyll]

The drive is definitely very fast and quiet as well. Temps seem to be a bit lower now compared to before installing the VR.

The iMac was no slouch before installing this drive but everything just seems soooo much snappier now.


Man, you guys are making this so tempting... Stop it :p

If you were to rate it from 1-10 on how much things have improved performance wise, what would you give it? Worth the $300 (or whatever you paid) ?

[iFake]

Hi there,

after reading this and other threads about a HD swap, I thought I could give the VR a try in my white 24" iMac. As I use the iMac for work (photo/retouch), I thought a fast HD would be a nice upgrade.

Installationwise I followed some guide found in the web (kowarisan?) and it was quite easy to open. The 24" has plenty of space behind the screen and the cables are long enough to fit the drive interface.

My first impressions are very positive. Start up time went down from 1:20 to 30 Sec. Photoshop also started a lot faster, though I wasn´t able to actually work with the program, spent the day with RAW- converting in Lightroom. Performance here was satisfying, but I had slow- downs when I made certain operations in Lightroom. Maybe due to unclean install, will find out later.

Peak temperature on drive and drive bay were 47 Celsius during heavy RAW Development, Photoshop batch processing (and really loud music via iTunes while I watched my machine do all the work for me).

On the negative side and in contrast to earlier posts, the drive is noticeably louder than the WD 250GB (stock) drive it replaced. It shurely creates less noise than my WD MyBook Studio external drives, but before I hardly heard the drive working. Don´t know if this is white 24" iMac- specific, but as I noticed above, there is a lot of empty space behind the display (this is where the drive mounts) in this machine, maybe acting as a resonator?

The attached XBench tests (bef/aft) were both done several times in a row as there was a variation in the results with a performance increase the more often I started it. I should also mention that I upgraded RAM to 2x2GB CL 2,5 modules.

Tomorrow I will go into PS work, that will be more meaningful to me. So far I´m impressed and can live with a little noise when I have this performance.

P.S. Don´t want to hijack this thread with my old machine, jwright just didn´t specify which 24 (alu-white) iMac and I know a lot of people who want to squeeze the last out of the matte- display iMacs. So maybe some of these guys find this thread, at least one of them did.

iFake

[AC Rempt]

I'm tempted, but I'll wait until my warranty is run out first. I can't believe the glass just lifts off like that.

[idyll]

^ Yeah me either.. Makes me wonder why it doesn't just lift off by itself ;)


Thanks for the info iFake! :)

[alljunks]

the new VelociRaptor should be cooler and quieter... and also VERY fast. interesting upgrade!!!

[barefeats]

MaxUpgrades is now offering an alternative heatsink and custom sled so you can mount the Velociraptor in the "normal" location on a Mac Pro:
http://www.maxupgrades.com/istore/index.cfm?fuseaction=Product.display&product_id=180

[idyll]

That heatsink looks tiny.. Does it really keep it cool enough?

[Leon Kowalski]

That heatsink looks tiny.. Does it really keep it cool enough?

The heatsink is a marketing gimmick. The R/W power demand is only 6 watts.

LK

[Armyknight]

I'm about to install a velociraptor drive in my Imac does anyone know if you half to use the drives that are Backplane ready or the one ones without for my imac. My drive is size 3.5 inch

[djrobsd]

It will fit just fine, the Velociraptor is a 2.5 inch drive in a 3.5 inch shell, so it should fit. I might add that Velociraptor runs significantly cooler and consumes much less power then the factory drives that ship with an imac, so it should work great.