Installing SSD in optical bay

[aeavery]

Hey there--I've been searching all over trying to figure out exactly what cables I need to install a X25-M in my MP 2.8's spare optical bay. Can anyone who's done this give me some advice? I think I know what SATA cable I need, but I'm confused as to how to power the drive...

Thanks.

 

[hayduke]

You can see how I've done it with a non-SSD drive here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/649257/

-OR-

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=157186&d=1234244778

-OR-

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=157182&d=1234244778

You can see the cable you need in the last link.

If I recall correctly, the power just comes off of the ribbon cable connected to the DVD drive...man...I only did this a month ago and I can't remember for sure!

I'm assuming you don't have a 2009 Mac Pro.

 

[aeavery]

I'm assuming you don't have a 2009 Mac Pro.

Correct, I have the '08.

Cool thanks for the info!

 

[sparkie7]

great informative guide Hayduke was thinking of one of those. does maxupgrades see a version to hook up 2.5: drives? you could put 4 in there. or is there an adapter kit that works with the MaxConnect?

 

[hayduke]

great informative guide Hayduke was thinking of one of those. does maxupgrades see a version to hook up 2.5: drives? you could put 4 in there. or is there an adapter kit that works with the MaxConnect?

Thanks!

You can read about dual 2.5" sleds for 3.5" bays here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-665177.html

There are only two sata ports on the motherboard so you can really only connect two drives regardless of size, unless you use something like this:

http://www.transintl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=2746

Which lets you RAID 0 or RAID 1 the two 2.5" drives. Kind of pricey though.

Probably more cost effective to get an eSATA card and go from there, but not as slick.

 

[nanofrog]

great informative guide Hayduke was thinking of one of those. does maxupgrades see a version to hook up 2.5: drives? you could put 4 in there. or is there an adapter kit that works with the MaxConnect?

You'd be able to make one out of an old optical drive. Remove the enclosure, and the metal plates make a nice little mount. You'd just have to drill some holes.

Cheaper, and faster than something off the shelf.

However, you can also use a 4 drive 2.5" backplane enclosure (like this one). (External dimensions is a 5.25" drive, similar to an optical drive). Place it in there in reverse. Front of the unit facing the PSU.

 

[hayduke]

However, you can also use a 4 drive 2.5" backplane enclosure (like this one). (External dimensions is a 5.25" drive, similar to an optical drive). Place it in there in reverse. Front of the unit facing the PSU.

Hmm...how do you wire that up? Where do you connect the four SATA cables? Am I missing something?

 

[nanofrog]

Hmm...how do you wire that up? Where do you connect the four SATA cables? Am I missing something?

You can use a MiniSAS Fan Out Cable, to attach to the logic board ('08 model, but loses the HDD bays), a RAID card with internal ports (year of MP won't matter), or individual SATA cables to a SATA card (again, year won't matter).

Installing the drives is the "easy" part, but the rest would depend on what method (drive controller) is used. The SATA card would be the least expensive, and won't lose any ports.

RAID cards offers certain benefits, but at a cost ($$$) obviously.