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upgrading 2011 Mini i7 Server…questions

patent10021

patent10021

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Apr 23, 2004
3,504
792
I have a 2011 i7 Mini with the two 500GB HDDs. I want to install a SSD for the boot disk and install a 1TB or 2TB 7200 HDD for the scratch disk. Should I be doing the Fusion setup?

Do you recommend the OWC kit just for the two Torx drivers? Maybe just pick them up at home Depot? Do you really need a spudger?

I saw a girl on YouTube do it without removing the logic board. I guess this isn't possible with the server version right?

What 500GB SSD and HDD do you recommend? Toshiba? Sammy?

I heard that only the newest Mini has the "boot into internet recovery" option to download the OS. Is that true? I made a Mavericks thumb drive anyway with DiskMakerX so that shouldn't be a problem.

What specs am I looking for? SATAIII and what size SDD/HDD would I need for both to fit?

Which is the primary HDD for the OS? The loose one that's on top or the one that's in the carriage at the bottom? The loose top one (one that's removed first and closest to the black cover) is the OS right?

Samsung MZ-7PD256BW PRO vs. Samsung EVO MZ-7TE750BW?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
Giuly

Giuly

macrumors 68040
Oct 16, 2009
3,348
4
That depends whether you ask for timezone, state o
patent10021 said:
I have a 2011 i7 Mini with the two 500GB HDDs. I want to install a SSD for the boot disk and install a 1TB or 2TB 7200 HDD for the scratch disk. Should I be doing the Fusion setup?

Do you recommend the OWC kit just for the two Torx drivers? Maybe just pick them up at home Depot? Do you really need a spudger?

I saw a girl on YouTube do it without removing the logic board. I guess this isn't possible with the server version right?

What 500GB SSD and HDD do you recommend? Toshiba? Sammy?

I heard that only the newest Mini has the "boot into internet recovery" option to download the OS. Is that true? I made a Mavericks thumb drive anyway with DiskMakerX so that shouldn't be a problem.

What specs am I looking for? SATAIII and what size SDD/HDD would I need for both to fit?

Which is the primary HDD for the OS? The loose one that's on top or the one that's in the carriage at the bottom? The loose top one (one that's removed first and closest to the black cover) is the OS right?

Samsung MZ-7PD256BW PRO vs. Samsung EVO MZ-7TE750BW?

Thanks
Click to expand...

If you have a server, then you don't need the OWC DataDoubler kit. Just pick up a T6 and a T8 screwdriver.

As far as the hard drive goes: 1.5TB HGST 5400RPM or 1TB HGST 7200RPM.
SSD: SanDisk Extreme II.

Your 2011 can boot into Internet Recovery as well. Hold down Option+R while booting.

You can install them in the order you want, but the HDD at the bottom might be better for the cooling.
 
Last edited:
patent10021

patent10021

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Apr 23, 2004
3,504
792
Thanks G

2TB HDD is not recommended?

Also that seems pricey for only 240GB SSD no?
 
M

mvmanolov

macrumors 6502a
Aug 27, 2013
858
5
patent10021 said:
Thanks G

2TB HDD is not recommended?

Also that seems pricey for only 240GB SSD no?
Click to expand...

ATM there is no 2TB drive that will fit. This will however change when the new Spinpoint M9T becomes available to buy :D

Its announced and shipping but not available yet in retailers :D
 
C

COrocket

macrumors 6502
Dec 9, 2012
485
12
patent10021 said:
Thanks G

2TB HDD is not recommended?

Also that seems pricey for only 240GB SSD no?
Click to expand...

2TB is fine if you can find one that is 12.5MM or thinner assuming you put in a 7MM SSD. Seagate just came out with a standard 9MM 2TB drive http://www.seagate.com/about/newsro...ivision-ships-2tb-storage-solution-pr-master/

Another SSD with good reviews and price point is the Samsung 840 EVO http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083502&pf_rd_i=507846
 
patent10021

patent10021

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Apr 23, 2004
3,504
792
Thanks COrocket

Btw I am actually thinking of getting a second 500GB SSD to use as the secondary drive as well because I find the 7200 drives to be super noisy. I have a 3.5 Seagate 2TB and it's much noisier than my WD 5400 HDDs. I can't even hear the 5400s. I work with Logic so noise in my small studio is a factor. Not to mention there really isn't a huge difference in speed between 5400/7200 (IMHO).

So 9mm/2.5 HDDs. SSDx2 or SSD + 1/2TB. What do you think of this SSD?

SAMSUNG 840 EVO MZ-7TE500BW 2.5" 500GB SATA III TLC Internal (SSD).$300.00
 
M

mvmanolov

macrumors 6502a
Aug 27, 2013
858
5
patent10021 said:
Thanks COrocket

Btw I am actually thinking of getting a second 500GB SSD to use as the secondary drive as well because I find the 7200 drives to be super noisy. I have a 3.5 Seagate 2TB and it's much noisier than my WD 5400 HDDs. I can't even hear the 5400s. I work with Logic so noise in my small studio is a factor. Not to mention there really isn't a huge difference in speed between 5400/7200 (IMHO).

So 9mm/2.5 HDDs. SSDx2 or SSD + 1/2TB. What do you think of this SSD?

SAMSUNG 840 EVO MZ-7TE500BW 2.5" 500GB SATA III TLC Internal (SSD).$300.00
Click to expand...

the Evo's are good drives, they use TLC Nand rather than MLC but Anand's review suggest that this won't be much of an issue :D

Check out this for more info :D

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7545/best-ssds-holiday-2013
 
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