I currently use a 2008 Mac Pro 2.8GHz 8-core for audio production and sound design and would like to get one of the upcoming iMacs for this purpose, instead of a new Mac Pro. Outside of my system drive, I currently have 3 x 1TB 7200RPM (WD Caviar Black) drives that I wish to continue to use. What I'd like to do is put them in an external chassis or two in a JBOD configuration (unless objectionable) and use them via eSata or Thunderbolt. There doesn't seem to be any Thunderbolt options available for this, so I want to know can eSata, namely these drives through the Tempo SATA Pro and the adapter, be used without saturating the eSata connection or performance loss compared to what I'm currently using? The enclosure would thusly be connected via eSata, unless one of you great ladies or gents can point me to a better solution. Basically, what do I need to buy, short of a PC or mythical Mac Pro update, to get this to work without performance loss and developing some kind of post traumatic stress disorder?
I plan to go with the possible SSD option for an internal drive inside the iMac so non of those drives would be the system drive. For further reference, one drive is for recording Pro Tools and Logic project, another for steaming custom sample libraries and the last purely for storage. Only the former two need to be transferring data in tandem usually. I'd even go as far as saying I'd be content using the storage drive via FireWire, if I had to. Any actual enclosures you would recommend for this purpose, preferably thems that hold 2 to 4 drives?
Note, I'm initially against modifying a new iMac by letting OWC or such add an eSata port unless someone assures me that that route would be superior to the adapter and such. Sorry if all of this has been discussed. I tried reading through all of those charts of transfer rates and bandwidths but let's face it, I'm no computer expert by any stretch and am better off sticking with audio. Your recommendations and advices are greatly and sincerely appreciated.
I plan to go with the possible SSD option for an internal drive inside the iMac so non of those drives would be the system drive. For further reference, one drive is for recording Pro Tools and Logic project, another for steaming custom sample libraries and the last purely for storage. Only the former two need to be transferring data in tandem usually. I'd even go as far as saying I'd be content using the storage drive via FireWire, if I had to. Any actual enclosures you would recommend for this purpose, preferably thems that hold 2 to 4 drives?
Note, I'm initially against modifying a new iMac by letting OWC or such add an eSata port unless someone assures me that that route would be superior to the adapter and such. Sorry if all of this has been discussed. I tried reading through all of those charts of transfer rates and bandwidths but let's face it, I'm no computer expert by any stretch and am better off sticking with audio. Your recommendations and advices are greatly and sincerely appreciated.