Connect SSD to mobo

[bearcatrp]

I've read before (cant find it now) that there are 2 ports on the mobo to hook up 2 additional hard drives. If so, where are they located, what wires do I need, and can I boot from this? Been reading folks wanting to use the cd drive bay but I would rather use these other ports if possible for a SSD drive. Tnks

 

[nanofrog]

I've read before (cant find it now) that there are 2 ports on the mobo to hook up 2 additional hard drives. If so, where are they located, what wires do I need, and can I boot from this? Been reading folks wanting to use the cd drive bay but I would rather use these other ports if possible for a SSD drive. Tnks

They're called the ODD_SATA ports, and they're on the left hand side of the board (near the front fans IIRC - It's been awhile since I've had access to an '08).

You'd need a standard SATA cable for data, and a Molex to SATA power cable to pull power from the 2nd optical drive. That takes care of the wiring.

Please note however, it will ONLY work with OS X drives, but these will boot.

 

[bearcatrp]

They're called the ODD_SATA ports, and they're on the left hand side of the board (near the front fans IIRC - It's been awhile since I've had access to an '08).

You'd need a standard SATA cable for data, and a Molex to SATA power cable to pull power from the 2nd optical drive. That takes care of the wiring.

Please note however, it will ONLY work with OS X drives, but these will boot.

Thanks nanofrog. Just making sure, is this the right one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...62&cm_re=molex_to_sata-_-12-119-262-_-Product .

Will be getting this SSD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167017

Should speed things up a bit.

 

[SmilesLots]

Your molex adapter is wrong. You want a female end on the hard drive part (SSD end). Here are some molex "Y" connectors:

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=mo...1313&_odkw=molex+power+cable&_osacat=0&bkBtn=

and here are some molex to sata power connectors:

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=mo...r+cable&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

This should give you the info you need. I connected 2 80GB Intel SSD's up in a raid 0 and installed them in a Mac Pro 1.1. The drives I wedged between hard drive bays 3 & 4, and the memory cage using some old model railroad rubber roadbed. And yes it is fast. One benchmark (IO have no idea what these benchmark things really do) said I got 570 mb of something.

 

[strausd]

You might be able to find that drive on Amazon for a little cheaper too.