hard drive recommendation for RAID

[c2g]

I didn't want to hijack this thread, so here goes...


I've never set up a RAID before. I'm about to purchase an 09 MP through Apple and was looking at the Apple and CalDigit RAID cards before I started reading these forums. If the experts are saying that the Areca ARC-1212 works better than both of those at half the price, I'm sold.

Just wondering, if I configure my MP through Apple with just the 640GB system drive (or do I have to get a 1 TB), can someone recommend 3 x 1TB hard drives (as opposed to Apple's $300/per option) to go with the Areca card? Anything else I need? Thanks.

 

[HighSeasCaptain]

The CalDigit RAID card doesn't work with 09 Mac Pro's because the 09's don't have an iPass cable. I was almost about to buy it until I contacted their tech support to find out that it just won't work.

Though, I just realized that you could get a SAS to 4 SATA cable and connect another 4 drives mounted somewhere else in the case with it I guess. I'm not sure if that would work though, the tech support guy did not mention this. He basically told me just not to buy it unless I was going to get an 08 MP or earlier, or if I needed CalDigit external enclosures.

 

[nanofrog]

I didn't want to hijack this thread, so here goes...


I've never set up a RAID before. I'm about to purchase an 09 MP through Apple and was looking at the Apple and CalDigit RAID cards before I started reading these forums. If the experts are saying that the Areca ARC-1212 works better than both of those at half the price, I'm sold.

Just wondering, if I configure my MP through Apple with just the 640GB system drive (or do I have to get a 1 TB), can someone recommend 3 x 1TB hard drives (as opposed to Apple's $300/per option) to go with the Areca card? Anything else I need? Thanks.

The Western Digital 1TB RE3's will work with that card very nicely. I use WD's exclusively these days, and haven't had any problems out of them.