MP 1,1-5,1 Max HD size in Early 2009 Mac Pro (4,1) ?

[pirateyarrr]

What's the largest HD anyone's been able to stick in a 2009 Pro? My four bays are full, I have two 3TB drives, and I'm looking to replace an old 1GB with something larger.

Also, does it do any good to buy the 7200rpm drives in these old Macs? I don't know if I'll see a performance difference so I don't want to waste the money if I don't have to.

 

[DeltaMac]

Need larger HDDs: size/brand recommendations?

My MP is running out of storage space and it's time to replace them with larger drives (spinning hard drives), but what sizes are available now (for a reasonable cost -this is for home use) and which brands/models do you recommend for reliability, good performance and low noise levels? This is...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[wonderspark]

I've run 8TB HDDs from Western Digital in my 2009 Mac Pro's internal drive slots. You just need to get the drive sled with the extra hole position to mount them on the sled, since the original sleds have the screws in a different position than the newer drives.

OWC Hard Drive Tray / Sled / Bracket for Mac Pro (2009, 2010-2012)

OWC Hard Drive Tray / Sled for Mac Pro (2009, 2010-2012), compatible with all 3.5-inch drives, including 6TB-18TB drives with new (2014+) screw mount standard.

eshop.macsales.com

 

[pirateyarrr]

Need larger HDDs: size/brand recommendations?

My MP is running out of storage space and it's time to replace them with larger drives (spinning hard drives), but what sizes are available now (for a reasonable cost -this is for home use) and which brands/models do you recommend for reliability, good performance and low noise levels? This is...

forums.macrumors.com

I appreciate the note, but that guy has a 5,1 Mac Pro. I have a 4,1; am looking for people with the same.

 

[tsialex]

I appreciate the note, but that guy has a 5,1 Mac Pro. I have a 4,1; am looking for people with the same.

Did you flashed it with MP5,1 firmware? A flashed MP4,1 is a MP5,1 in everything except the SMC version.

 

[minifridge1138]

I have a WD Red 10TB drive in my Mac Pro 4,1 (with 5,1 Firmware but shouldn't matter for disks). As wonderspark said, just buy the drive slides with the correct holes.

All of my drives:
4 TB drive - internal sata drive
6 TB drive - internal sata drive
3 TB drive - internal sata drive
10 TB drive - internal sata drive
1 TB drive (pcie sata adapter + 1 TB ssd)

Total = 24 TB.

 

[Snow Tiger]

There isn't any current capacity upper limit with installing 3.5" SATA HDD in the backplanes of any cMP .

You just need to use the proper carrier . With the 6TB and higher capacity 3.5" SATA HDD , there is a new drive mounting system that will not allow these drives to be installed into any cMP factory HDD carrier .

So , for the higher capacity drives you need the special OWC carrier ( compatible with the Mac Pro 4,1 ( 2009 ) and Mac Pro 5,1 ( 2010-12 ) models , as noted above by another member , or you can make one with a 3D printer with the appropriate file located in other threads here at MR .

For the Mac Pro 1,1 ( 2006 ) to Mac Pro 3,1 ( 2008 ) models , it is required to make your own carriers with the 3D printer to install the higher capacity drives as no manufacturer makes the higher capacity carriers .

There are some 6TB 3.5" SATA HDDs that can use the factory carrier , though .

Fun Fact : the Power Mac G5 can accept the highest capacity 3.5" SATA HDD . This Mac was last made in 2006 , as the Late 2005 model . Some of them were made 17 years ago .

 

[kohlson]

Also, does it do any good to buy the 7200rpm drives in these old Macs?

In my experience, yes. I have several different drives in my cMP. 5400rpm with 64MB cache do about 100-ish MB/s RW, give or take. 7200rpm drives with 256MB cache do a bit over 200 MB/s RW. I've had SSDs in the SATA-II ports and they do about 250+ MB/s. Note that faster drives are noisier.

 

[pirateyarrr]

Did you flashed it with MP5,1 firmware? A flashed MP4,1 is a MP5,1 in everything except the SMC version.

I have not, was not aware that this was a possibility. Thank you!

I have a WD Red 10TB drive in my Mac Pro 4,1 (with 5,1 Firmware but shouldn't matter for disks). As wonderspark said, just buy the drive slides with the correct holes.

All of my drives:
4 TB drive - internal sata drive
6 TB drive - internal sata drive
3 TB drive - internal sata drive
10 TB drive - internal sata drive
1 TB drive (pcie sata adapter + 1 TB ssd)

Total = 24 TB.

This is awesome info, thanks a ton.

There isn't any current capacity upper limit with installing 3.5" SATA HDD in the backplanes of any cMP .

You just need to use the proper carrier . With the 6TB and higher capacity 3.5" SATA HDD , there is a new drive mounting system that will not allow these drives to be installed into any cMP factory HDD carrier .

Got it. Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply; you've helped me out beyond belief. Really appreciate it.