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Lacie 5Big ThunderBolt 2

Ifti

Ifti

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 14, 2010
4,287
2,935
UK
The new version of the Lacie 5Big is due for release very soon - not only is it faster but also supports hardware RAID this time round, including RAID 5.

I'm considering selling my Drobo 5D to a friend who has already expressed interest, and picking up a new Lacie 5Big instead. Considering I use the drive to edit video via FCPX, I'm attracted to the higher speed of the Lacie, along with the RAID flexibility - run 3 disks in RAID 5, for example, and the remaining two in RAID 0, etc.

Anyone who has the current Lacie 5Big - care to share your experience??
Would be interested to know which drives Lacie generally tend to use and whether it really is that much faster then a Drobo?.......

5big_TB2_3Qtr_front-back_left_w-logo.jpg
 
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I've got several of the LaCie 4big/5big drives.

4big (USB2/eSATA/FW800) used it for video editing a few years ago; now used for backup. Has HW RAID-5

5big Thunderbolt, now used for video editing projects. I've got the 10TB and 20TB versions. All software RAID using Apple Disk Utility. Seagate drives inside 5x2TB and 5x4TB.

I too am looking at the Thunderbolt2 version, now with HW RAID and RAID5 support.

I've been very happy with the 4big/5big chassis. Also uses external power supply. Drives mount on metal carriers. Easy to change.
 
g4cube said:
I've got several of the LaCie 4big/5big drives.

4big (USB2/eSATA/FW800) used it for video editing a few years ago; now used for backup. Has HW RAID-5

5big Thunderbolt, now used for video editing projects. I've got the 10TB and 20TB versions. All software RAID using Apple Disk Utility. Seagate drives inside 5x2TB and 5x4TB.

I too am looking at the Thunderbolt2 version, now with HW RAID and RAID5 support.

I've been very happy with the 4big/5big chassis. Also uses external power supply. Drives mount on metal carriers. Easy to change.
Click to expand...

Have you ever had any issues with them?
The speeds seem much better then my current Drobo 5D - I'm seriously tempted!!
 
I've been using the Big 5 with 5x2TB drives for a few months. I have a couple drives in RAID 0, a couple in RAID 1, and the fifth just a drive. A nice unit, stylish, well made, integrates well with my rMBP, quiet. It came configured as striped RAID from the factory and Black Magic speed test showed near 1GBps rates (TB1). Currently the two drive RAID0 offers about 350MBps.

Came with Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001-1CH164

I have a DP monitor daisy chained off of it and the Big5 seems to have cleaned up all the sleep issues I was having with the monitor when directly connected to the rMBP.
 
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Thanks for the replies.
All looking good - now its whether to stretch and invest in the 20TB version to future proof, or just go with the 10TB!
Guess that will come down to the pricing when released!
 
Ifti said:
Thanks for the replies.

All looking good - now its whether to stretch and invest in the 20TB version to future proof, or just go with the 10TB!

Guess that will come down to the pricing when released!
Click to expand...


Get the 20.
 
Ifti said:
Thanks for the replies.
All looking good - now its whether to stretch and invest in the 20TB version to future proof, or just go with the 10TB!
Guess that will come down to the pricing when released!
Click to expand...

Irrespective of whether you choose the 10 or 20TB model, you really should have a 2nd drive to backup to :)
 
matreya said:
Irrespective of whether you choose the 10 or 20TB model, you really should have a 2nd drive to backup to :)
Click to expand...

Yup, I will be performing selective backups to separate drives. ;)
 
Originally they said 'later this quarter' - seems like they have over-run already!!

Really need this drive as I have a buyer for my Drobo 5D lined up who needs it asap!
 
The Lacie website had been updated with pricing for the 20TB model - but the 10TB amd 30TB models have been removed for some reason.

It wasthe 20TB model Iwas considering anyway - the price is just a tad more then the original 5Big 20TB, but its still a fair old whack!!!!
 
Ifti said:
The Lacie website had been updated with pricing for the 20TB model - but the 10TB amd 30TB models have been removed for some reason.



It wasthe 20TB model Iwas considering anyway - the price is just a tad more then the original 5Big 20TB, but its still a fair old whack!!!!
Click to expand...


Maybe they are more interested in thunderbolt 3?
 
My 5Big ThunderBolt 2 20TB drive is being delivered tomorow!!

Move over Drobo5D, theres a new beast in town!!! ;)
 
If you don't need want TB2, those TB1s can be picked up at retailers with a couple hundred $$ discount :)
 
ColdCase said:
If you don't need want TB2, those TB1s can be picked up at retailers with a couple hundred $$ discount :)
Click to expand...

My main MacBook, used for my editing, has TB2 ports.
I also wanted RAID5, which is only available with the newest version of the Lacie.

Mine is all set up now - transferred all my data across from the Drobo 5D to the new Lacie - went at around 7 secs per GB.

Compared to the Drobo5D, its obviously MUCH faster, and its much quieter as well. The Drobo5D takes around 1-2 mins to start up, whereas the Lacie takes literally 10 secs.

Cooling is also much better - large intake covering the entire base (propped up on rubber feet) and a massive exhaust on the rear, with a single large Noctua fan pushing the heat out and away from the drives. Obviously the aluminium chassis also acts as a heatsink.

The Drobo management interface is more refined and user friendly, but saying that once RAID is set up on the Lacie (it comes as HFS+ RAID5 out of the box anyway) you rarely need to use it for anything else.

Been using it with FCPX and its been fantastic.

Ultimately, if you are after only a basic storage device then the Drobo5D is great due to its lower cost - but for any 'proper' work, especially with video editing, the Lacie is awesome!

Out of the box, RAID5 with HFS+, I get around 750MB/s speeds (Black Magic Disk Speed Test), although obviously those looking to use RAID0 will get much faster - the 20TB version can get up to 950MB/s, whereas the 30TB version gets up to 1050MB/s.

A video review of the drive will be on my YouTube channel soon ;)

Used my server to copy all the data across, and the drive is now seated comfortably in its new home with my MBP ;)
5EBB387D-831A-451D-9782-C5D3767BA856_zps2ajbimrh.jpg
 
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Very nice! So this is the new LaCie 5big with HW Raid and Thunderbolt2?

I assume Seagate drives inside? What model number HDD?

WHat is cost/performance comparison to your Drobo?
 
g4cube said:
Very nice! So this is the new LaCie 5big with HW Raid and Thunderbolt2?

I assume Seagate drives inside? What model number HDD?

WHat is cost/performance comparison to your Drobo?
Click to expand...

Yup its the new one thats just been released.
I went for the 20TB version, which comes prebuilt with a RAID5 HFS+ array.
It contains 5x4TB Seagate Constellation 7200rpm drives.
Looking at the cost of the drives, you can see where most of the expense comes from!

My Drobo 5D contains 3TB WD Red drives, so lower performing drives in comparison, hence why I didn't think it was fair to do a speed comparison between both. Even with the same drives, I still feel the Lacie would be faster - the Drobo seems more 'bulky' in comparison. It seems the Drobo has a lot more to load and takes more to maintain the array etc, whereas the Lacie seems to be much 'lighter' on its feet.

I did like the built in battery with the Drobo though, that was a great feature IMO, which the Lacie does not have. The Drobo management interface is much simpler to use, especially for those that aren't very technical etc, whereas the Lacie interface is simply web based - still easy to use but not the same 'eye candy' as the Drobo has - although Im not fussed about that since its not something you'd use very often.

Even shutting the drive down is easier - simply eject the drive as normal in the OS, and press the 'orb' on the front to spin the drives down. Takes seconds. Whereas with the Drobo you'd need to load the software up, let it search for and find the Drobo, then do into the right setting to shutdown etc.

The Lacie seems more refined throughout - a much more 'pro' level unit, which is why I'd still recommend the Drobo for basic data storage etc, but the Lacie for more demanding work.
 
Ifti said:
My main MacBook, used for my editing, has TB2 ports.
I also wanted RAID5, which is only available with the newest version of the Lacie.
Click to expand...

Oh if you want hardware RAID 5/6, its a different story. I found RAID 5 to be such a PITA with large drives (3TB+), however, and not making much sense. Something like 20+ hour rebuild times and being exposed to drive failure during that time. RAID 10 is so much better with larger drives. Dunno why LaCie is behind the power curve on this.... unless they want to sell two Big fives :)
 
ColdCase said:
Oh if you want hardware RAID 5/6, its a different story. I found RAID 5 to be such a PITA with large drives (3TB+), however, and not making much sense. Something like 20+ hour rebuild times and being exposed to drive failure during that time. RAID 10 is so much better with larger drives. Dunno why LaCie is behind the power curve on this.... unless they want to sell two Big fives :)
Click to expand...

I guess its down to finding the right balance with the capacity as well as speed.
 
So Ive been using this drive with my editing for several weeks now.

Love how it starts up and shuts down super quick - just like any other external drive (the Drobo 5D took ages to start up and shut down etc). It would have been nice to have a battery backup built in like the Drobo, but alas a separate UPS will do the same task, if not more.

Hasn't skipped a beat so far. Well chuffed.
Video review will be live on my YouTube channel very soon!
 
Finally got round to getting some speed tests and a closer look up for those interested in this drive!

 
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