Quiet 4- or 5-bay RAID enclosure

[m4v3r1ck]

Looking at the Mercury Elite Pro Qx2 enclosure as my new desktop bootable backup, my iOMEGA UltraMax are failing on me.

Benefits:

1. Using USB 3 speed for backups with CCC on the Inateck 4004 (UASP)
2. Using Firewire 800 to be able, in case of an event, to boot from it.

As the eSATA interface is SATA I/II does that mean that the internal interfaces for the HDDs are not SATA III? It is not mentioned in the specs.

Set one will be my bootable CCC clone drive in RAID1. As I want to set the second set of drives in RAID0, I surely need the speed of the 5G/s from the USB 3 and thus SATA III.

Does the above make any sence? Directions appreciated!

Cheers

 

[matreya]

As the eSATA interface is SATA I/II does that mean that the internal interfaces for the HDDs are not SATA III? It is not mentioned in the specs.

Not sure about this, but it doesn't really matter because you won't get more than about 250MB/sec transfer speeds from the Qx2.

Set one will be my bootable CCC clone drive in RAID1. As I want to set the second set of drives in RAID0, I surely need the speed of the 5G/s from the USB 3 and thus SATA III.
Cheers

I take it your plan is to run the Qx2 in independent mode and use OS X software RAID to enable you to have a RAID 1 and RAID 0 set in the Qx2?

I've only ever used the Qx2 in RAID5 mode, and the best transfer speed I have achieved from it is 250MB/sec.

 

[m4v3r1ck]

Is the Mercury Elite Pro Qx2 wasting the 5G/s speed of USB 3.0?

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Not sure about this, but it doesn't really matter because you won't get more than about 250MB/sec transfer speeds from the Qx2.

So the Q2 is limited by the SATA II interfaces inside that connects the HDDs/SSds, while USB 3 can give 5G/s. That's a great waste of speed, if my conclusion is right if you e.g. RAID0 4 SSDs. Why does OWC advertise 6G eSATA PCIe cards on-the-go with the MEP-Qx2????

I take it your plan is to run the Qx2 in independent mode and use OS X software RAID to enable you to have a RAID 1 and RAID 0 set in the Qx2?

No, I want to make use of the HW-RAID 0 & 1. Have you ever used SW-RAID on your device?

I've only ever used the Qx2 in RAID5 mode, and the best transfer speed I have achieved from it is 250MB/sec.

Mmmmm, not so good then. Have to investigate more!

Cheers

 

[matreya]

So the Q2 is limited by the SATA II interfaces inside that connects the HDDs/SSds, while USB 3 can give 5G/s. That's a great waste of speed, if my conclusion is right if you e.g. RAID0 4 SSDs. Why does OWC advertise 6G eSATA PCIe cards on-the-go with the MEP-Qx2????

I don't think the limited speed of the Qx2 is due to the SATAII/III connections to the hard drives, but the RAID interface itself.

No, I want to make use of the HW-RAID 0 & 1. Have you ever used SW-RAID on your device?

The hardware RAID of the Qx2 doesn't allow for mixed modes of RAID, just choices of one mode of RAID for the drives. The only way you can do RAID 1 and RAID 0 for the one Qx2 is to set independent mode and use OS X software RAID.

 

[m4v3r1ck]

I don't think the limited speed of the Qx2 is due to the SATAII/III connections to the hard drives, but the RAID interface itself.

Ohh, I assumed that in 2014 it would be SATA-III, as most HDDs and SSDs have SATA-III. Strange that the Qx2 limits the state-of-the-art speeds of SATA-III & USB 3.0.

The hardware RAID of the Qx2 doesn't allow for mixed modes of RAID, just choices of one mode of RAID for the drives. The only way you can do RAID 1 and RAID 0 for the one Qx2 is to set independent mode and use OS X software RAID.

Ok, good to know that but no problem because I'm a fan of the Apple software RAID!

Thanks and Cheers

 

[m4v3r1ck]

Sata-3

Just had a very nice chat with a OWC techie support guy!

- The HDD/SSD interfaces and controllers are all SATA-3, the eSATA interface -2.
- 4 HDD (WD1002FAEX) in RAID0 will not tap out the theoretical speeds of usb 3
- USB 3 will never get up to 500, get 3-400's with even SSDs.

Well, that clears things up for me a bit more on the Qx2.

 

[barmann]

This is the driver-less quietest RAID/JBOD box...
http://www.amazon.com/Dual-Thunderbolt-RAID-SATA-Windows/dp/B00GNE2B8G

I have an older DatOptic 5 bay enclosure, and I'm not impressed by their lowest bidder approach ....

 

[thedeske]

My experience, a product only fails when you have no spares. Spares are good peace of mind.

Funny how that works

 

[xav8tor]

My OWC 4 bay USB 3 enclosure sounds like a747 on takeoff with the drives at idle. I've decided the only solution is a twenty foot cable and stick the thing in a closet.

 

[hfg]

My OWC 4 bay USB 3 enclosure sounds like a747 on takeoff with the drives at idle. I've decided the only solution is a twenty foot cable and stick the thing in a closet.

If it is fan noise that is bothering you, you can easily replace the stock fan. OWC sells a Zalman replacement fan for the Qx2, or you can buy a Noctua NF-B9 low noise fan.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014I9K30/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[msandersen]

Hi Danny,

Had exactly the same experience.

Definitely quite a bit of fan noise. The fan is constantly running, even if drives spin down -- I had the first one replaced, as I thought it was defective, but alas, the second one exhibited the same noise level. I'd say unbearable for any work environment, esp. since my Mac Mini is whisper quiet.

My solution: Replaced the stock fan with a Noctua NF-B9 redux-1600 (17 dB/A), very easy to do, and much much quieter. Can still be heard, but much better than the original fan. With a 2-3 meter USB cable I can place the Qx2 far enough away to be bearable.

Without the fan replacement I would have definitely returned it.

What I don't get is why OWC doesn't include a better fan -- esp. since they offer a more quiet replacement fan on their website. Other than that my experience was that their service is impeccable.

All in all, recommend the product -- with the replacement fan.

Thanks for that suggestion, I'm a photographer and just got my first RAID enclosure from OWC (a Newertech Guardian Maximus). Having been on Mac since 2008, I had forgotten how noisy fans can be and just how disturbing it is. I got a MiniStack at the same time for my Mini server, and it is completely quiet.
I was going to get more to get away from the clutter of single drives on my desk, but reconsidered when hearing how loud it is. I've turned off the Raid for now while considering what to do about it, perhaps just using it for old backups and turning it off then. But would have been a total waste of an expensive RAID. My Seagate standalone drives I've used til now don't have fans and quiet, and they spin down when not in use. This thing has the fan going at maximum from when it is turned on, even when the computer is off, regardless of whether the drives have been used. Obviously no temperature sensor.
If I can regain my sanity by replacing the fan, that would be fantastic!!

 

[hfg]

Thanks for that suggestion, I'm a photographer and just got my first RAID enclosure from OWC (a Newertech Guardian Maximus). Having been on Mac since 2008, I had forgotten how noisy fans can be and just how disturbing it is. I got a MiniStack at the same time for my Mini server, and it is completely quiet.
I was going to get more to get away from the clutter of single drives on my desk, but reconsidered when hearing how loud it is. I've turned off the Raid for now while considering what to do about it, perhaps just using it for old backups and turning it off then. But would have been a total waste of an expensive RAID. My Seagate standalone drives I've used til now don't have fans and quiet, and they spin down when not in use. This thing has the fan going at maximum from when it is turned on, even when the computer is off, regardless of whether the drives have been used. Obviously no temperature sensor.
If I can regain my sanity by replacing the fan, that would be fantastic!!

For your smaller Guardian Maximus enclosure you might try a Scythe Mini KAZE 40mm Silent Case Fan (SY124010L). I installed one in my Guardian Maximus and Elite Pro Duo and they are much quieter now.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RD0RDU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[msandersen]

For your smaller Guardian Maximus enclosure you might try a Scythe Mini KAZE 40mm Silent Case Fan (SY124010L). I installed one in my Guardian Maximus and Elite Pro Duo and they are much quieter now.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RD0RDU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks. OWC does have a replacement fan, but nothing about it being quieter or how loud it is.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other+World+Computing/GM946FAN/
Opened up the case and measured it before seeing this post, it is indeed a 40mm fan.
It is hard to know beforehand how the fans are, as it seems to not be a major selling point in the online stores.
By Googling, I found audiophile sites are probably a good place to look for reviews on silent drives, they hate any noise interfering with their music. If I can afford it next time, something like a G-Drive is apparently fanless and quiet.
Mostly I just need them to have Firewire and it be relatively space efficient, even if single drives; my computer is a 2011 27" iMac which has Firewire and Thunderbolt, but no USB3 (bummer!), alternatives with Thunderbolt get very expensive, and Firewire not as common or affordable as USB3. Firewire and Thunderbolt daisychain though, which is a good thing in my book. There are ways to utilise the Thunderbolt port on the Mac to connect to the eSata port on the drive, but could only work for the one drive.
If it wasn't sitting on my desk right next to my computer, the drone might not be so noticeable, but there's not really anywhere else for it.
The front lights also don't seem to work properly, but it is too much hassle to get replaced. On investigating when I opened up the case last night to check the RAID mirror was working as expected, I had a look; the cable to the lights is attached underneath the PCB, and without removing all the electrical tape, not really accessible, but the point it attaches seems to be loose, as if the connector isn't soldered properly. Before I had one activity light on HD1, now nothing. Major hassle, but might have to borrow a soldering iron and take it apart; not having activity lights is disturbing, and also won't warn of failing drives.