You put an OS X copy on the SSD by cloning or installing and and select it in system preferences as the starting volume.
Thanks, good to know no jumper settings in the back
You put an OS X copy on the SSD by cloning or installing and and select it in system preferences as the starting volume.
The only way to use all the SATA ports on the logic board, is to use the HDD bays, as well as both of the ODD_SATA ports. Any RAID card would have to be cabled to drives located in some other location, ideally in an external enclosure, as it leaves the empty optical bay capable of using the ODD_SATA port for it, and leaving the optical drive attached as is. Again, the need for external enclosures adds funds to the overall system.![]()
Obviously your system is constructed to keep the SATA ports on the logic board used, save perhaps the remaining ODD_SATA port for the 2nd optical bay, which contains the SSD's. You could of course, move the eSATA bracket to that port, and retain another pair of ports on the ARC-1210 for future use (a better way to go IMO). But swapping ports around can be done later, if ever needed. No need to mess about with it now, as you've got it all working the way you want.![]()
If the Maxupgrades HDD bay adapter is used, you lose the HDD bay SATA ports located on the logic board, due to the inability to use cabling (stupid PCB trace routing). This is a problem, especially in terms of cost in the '09's.Not a problem with your system, but others really want their RAID cards to use the HDD bays.
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That would be a PITA.If Areca ever sort it out the ports #3 & #4 will be used to run the Windows RAID0. The ODD port "B" will be switched to eSATA if I ever manage to boot Windows by array. Then all ports will be utilized.
As do I, and the fact the ICH10R has the throughput limit on the '09's, it's even more so IMO. The band goes too quickly if SSD's are on the logic board. By far better suited for mass storage.I consider the use of 3,5" bays for 2,5" drives a waste of capacity.
I don't blame you, and went with a large full tower case in order to fit the drives. It's also less expensive. External enclosures that can hold the drive quantity my case does, is 2x+ in terms of cost vs. full tower + PSU ($1300 - 1400 for externals <including needed cables> vs. $500 for a case and PSU). Massive difference in cost.Except for the TC I want no external storage.
Yes, but there's less expensive ways to place an SSD in an HDD bay than the Maxupgrades mount.would i be able to buy this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167016
and put it in this: http://www.maxupgrades.com/istore/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=180
then slide it into my second HD bay and clone my boot drive to it?
would i be able to buy this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167016
and put it in this: http://www.maxupgrades.com/istore/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=180
then slide it into my second HD bay and clone my boot drive to it?
I understand the reasoning behind what you did, and it seems to be working for you ATM, just the unused ports on the RAID card are an issue, and I'd feel"cheated" as well.
Sorry, I think of the eSATA bracket as an "unused port", as it's not attached to a full time access drive. It' s not a usual setup to me to have a RAID card port dedicated as an eSATA location.Actually I have only one unused port.
That's what I'm used to doing with unused ports on a RAID card. They're kept available for expansion/performance.I have the option to drop in an additional 80 GB Intel and do a three SSD RAID0 for OS X booting. I might do this for capacity or speed reasons.
It would be a nice way to go. Perhaps use the SSD's for working data, such as current projects for video/graphics editing, then archive the final results to mass storage when completed. Then on to the next project...There might be people out there with a similar philosophy on mass storage who could use such a setup nicely for OSX only and use a 320 or 640 GB 4x SSD RAID0. In combination with 8 TB of mass storage it makes for a very slick system. One can always divide the mass storage by two and do the backup internal. Four TB fully backupped is not bad either.
You can ('06 - '08' models), but the performance would suck, compared to what a pair of SSD's is actually capable of.Pro Drive
http://barefeats.com/hard108.html
Can shove 2 * 2.5" SSD's into that and set it as RAID 1 or RAID 0 with a simple dip switch on the enclosure
Wish I had enough cash for a couple of SSD's !!
Maybe if they bring newer ones out and your looking for a new home for those intel ones give me a shout
I just realised the down side of the pro drive ( Not compatible with Nehalem 2009 Mac Pro. )
DOH !!
Instead of the MaxUpgrades Maxconnect sled for 2.5" drives for the HDD bays, how about their Max Connect for Mac Pro Optical Drive Bay installation kit SZ-MCMPOPT04.
It makes more sense for an optical bay installation. Using an SSD in an HDD bay is a bit more expensive (i.e. the Icy Dock adapter), but it does work.