Mac Pro Hardware Question... - DPChallenge Forums

11/07/2007 11:45:53 AM · #1

Happy to say I ordered a Mac Pro the other day (coming this weekend!)...and to fight against Apples high profit margin on peripherals, I ordered two 750GB internal SATA drives separately (from New Egg)

However, I just realized I need to order some cables! Can anyone tell me the length I need for the Mac pro to reach the motherboard comfortably from the drive bays, and whether it's advisable to get a cable with a 90 degree bent end? Also, are there sufficient power connectors in the Mac pro for two more drives, or do I need to order cables/splitters?

Thanks in advance...

11/07/2007 11:56:01 AM · #2

Are you removing the drive that came with the Mac Pro and installing the 2 750s?

If so, you should be good to go. You should have 2 bays with SATA cabling in place.

11/07/2007 12:01:12 PM · #3

No, I'm adding two drives. So I need one cable? (and do you know how long, right angle, etc.?)

Message edited by author 2007-11-07 12:01:36.

11/07/2007 12:06:18 PM · #4

Originally posted by nshapiro:

No, I'm adding two drives. So I need one cable? (and do you know how long, right angle, etc.?)

I'm not sure if the newer enclosures support more than 2 drives. I have a dual G5 tower that supports 2 drives. If I want to add more, I think I need another disk controller.

I will ask someone that knows better than me if the newer models support more than 2 drives out of the box.

The spec sheet on the Apple site says it support 4 drives. My guess is the cabling is in place. I had to install the rails that came with the computer, but other than that, everything was there. BTW - The cables that are in place are right angle cables,

I did buy an eSATA card that will support 4 external enclosures. That way I can back up my photos and put the drive in a fireproof safe. eSATA enclosures are pretty reasonable. Just a thought.

Message edited by author 2007-11-07 12:10:10.

11/07/2007 12:13:29 PM · #5

This is from the Apple site:

Mac Pro comes with four 3Gb/s internal SATA hard drive bays, each on its own independent channel. While the standard configuration comes with a single 250GB drive, you can fill yours with up to four 750GB SATA hard drives for up to 3 terabytes of lightning-fast data storage. And thanks to the cable-free, direct-attach installation system, you can add (or replace) hard drives quickly and easily. No more connectors or cables to contend with. Installing a drive is as simple as attaching a drive to a carrier and sliding the drive into place. The side door latch has even been designed to lock your drives securely in the enclosure.

Looks like you don't even need cables!

11/07/2007 12:15:23 PM · #6

Thanks David--I looked here, and saw four bays, but not the great info you found!

Edit: hmmm, if only I read more carefully:

* Four independent 3Gb/s Serial ATA cable-free, direct attach hard drive bays; four internal hard drive carriers included"

Message edited by author 2007-11-07 12:17:23.

11/07/2007 12:35:33 PM · #7

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Cool! And for the record, I am very jealous!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/07/2007 01:07:21 PM · #8

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by nshapiro:
No, I'm adding two drives. So I need one cable? (and do you know how long, right angle, etc.?)

I'm not sure if the newer enclosures support more than 2 drives. I have a dual G5 tower that supports 2 drives. If I want to add more, I think I need another disk controller.

I will ask someone that knows better than me if the newer models support more than 2 drives out of the box.

The spec sheet on the Apple site says it support 4 drives. My guess is the cabling is in place. I had to install the rails that came with the computer, but other than that, everything was there. BTW - The cables that are in place are right angle cables,

I did buy an eSATA card that will support 4 external enclosures. That way I can back up my photos and put the drive in a fireproof safe. eSATA enclosures are pretty reasonable. Just a thought.

BTW, from what I have read, there are two "extra" SATA connectors that can be used on the current MacPros for eSata by purchasing an inexpensive cable and PCI slot cover (with the connectors). I was about to buy it (since I already have two external drives with multiple interfaces, inclduing eSata), but then I read that it's a pain to get to the two motherboard connections, requiring a fair amount of disassembly of the Mac Pro. I didn't want to get into that yet, and figured Firewire might be a good substitute for a while. (And the benchmarks in the links above tend to support that.)

Also for future reference, what eSata card did you get?

Message edited by author 2007-11-07 13:07:47.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

11/07/2007 01:35:37 PM · #9

FYI.

Also, here's a good source for drives.