SSD options for mid-2011 27" iMac?

[Gherkin]

So I have the Mac in my sig. Just upgraded to 16 GB RAM (I use Creative Suite).

Basically I was wondering at this point what my SSD options are. I work with large PS files and I'm increasingly getting into After Effects and Premiere Pro.

should I...

Replace the internal 1 TB w/ a smallish (120 GB or so?) SSD, buy an external case and put the 1 TB in there, and then keep all the system files on the SSD, and my media/photos/video/etc on the 1 TB?

OR is there a way to not rip my HD out and hook an SSD up over Thunderbolt?

 

[SR20DETDOG]

With a certain Sata cable you could have both the 1TB HDD and SSD internally. No need to take out the HDD and no need for external devices. I'm sure someone else here could give you a link to the specific cable.

To answer your question though, yes there are ways to use SSD's via Thunderbolt, they're not particularly cheap though.

 

[philipma1957]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=sonnet&pn=4&Ns=p_PRICE_2|1&N=0

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/786908-REG/Sonnet_TSATAIII_E1_E34_TEMPO_EDGE_SATA_6GBPS.html



http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/MEQMSSD120/


http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/MEQM0GBKS/

 

[shortcut3d]

phillipma is suggesting using a SSD + eSATA enclosure + Sonnet Express Card Thunderbolt Adapter + eSATA Express Card to build an external SSD setup. You could also use the Promise Thunderbolt RAID or LaCie Thunderbolt Little Big Disk (their own 240GB SSD model or modify an existing 1TB model).

I almost forgot, you could run a base model 2011 Mac Mini in target disk mode

I've added a 240GB OWC Mercury Extreme Pro to the 2010 27" iMac using OEM parts. This tear down / build requires some tools not found in a normal tool kit, but readily available at iFixit. The build also required an OEM SATA cable, new OEM power wiring harness and back pressure wall mount. Sourcing the parts and taking the time to do it properly is 2 - 4 hours of work. An extra set of hands is advisable (did it alone at 6:00 AM on a Saturday morning before the wife was awake). I believe doing it properly will add or enhance value in the future. OWC has a turn key program with warranty if you are concerned about breaking a new iMac under warranty. http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/turnkey/iMac

 

[philipma1957]

phillipma is suggesting using a SSD + eSATA enclosure + Sonnet Express Card Thunderbolt Adapter + eSATA Express Card to build an external SSD setup. You could also use the Promise Thunderbolt RAID or LaCie Thunderbolt Little Big Disk (their own 240GB SSD model or modify an existing 1TB model).

I almost forgot, you could run a base model 2011 Mac Mini in target disk mode

I've added a 240GB OWC Mercury Extreme Pro to the 2010 27" iMac using OEM parts. This tear down / build requires some tools not found in a normal tool kit, but readily available at iFixit. The build also required an OEM SATA cable, new OEM power wiring harness and back pressure wall mount. Sourcing the parts and taking the time to do it properly is 2 - 4 hours of work. An extra set of hands is advisable (did it alone at 6:00 AM on a Saturday morning before the wife was awake). I believe doing it properly will add or enhance value in the future. OWC has a turn key program with warranty if you are concerned about breaking a new iMac under warranty. http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/turnkey/iMac

yeah i am waiting on the parts from bhphoto. I am going to build an eight bay unit with a

1) mac mini

2)a sonnet express card t bolt adapter

3)a 2 port esata express card

4) a rosewill 2 port esata 8 bay enclosure.

cost is
50 t-bolt cable
136 sonnet adapter
95 sonnet 2 port esata
200 for the rose will case

comes to 486 bucks plus your drives

this will allow up to 16tb and up to 550mb/s read write or so.


cost for the one drive is about 270 plus the ssd. there are quite a few cheaper ways to setup. a fast external ssd.


this will give you 2 drives at 200mb/s

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/MEQMH0GBK/

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sonnet Technology/ECHOE34/

http://www.amazon.com/Tempo-Sataii-...J4KS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1324337267&sr=8-4