Can I use two PCIe Cards with 3 HD's

[Marcosmach]

Can I run one Apricorn solo X2 on slot #3 (boot system only) and a second one on slot #2? The second is the velo-duo with a 2X 2.5" seagate 2TB each for media (Final Cut and Lightroom)? Also, by having two PCIe cards like these with so many drives, will it slow down the computer?
If so, what would be the best configuration since I have both cards? I can also only use one if this is not a good idea

If I install the velocity-duo on #2, it will cover part of the video card fan. The solo X2 on number#2 will not since its shorter.


My Mac Pro is 2010

Thanks in advance

 

[flowrider]

The answer is maybe. See my posts below.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1721573/

I received my Velocity Dou x2 and it works as expected EXCEPT, and this is a BIG EXCEPT. My Velocity Solo x2 will not boot when the Duo is installed, pull the duo out and the Solo boots fine. The drive in the Solo shows up fine on the DeskTop, and works fine, but it just won't boot.

I talked to Apricorn Tech Support, and they have duplicated the issue and they believe it's because the Marvel controllers don't work well together. Not sure what I'm going to do at this point.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1721573/

I've been working with the Apricorn folks since early in the year. They duplicated the problem and came up with a firmware fix, that solved the issue. Both the Solo x2 and Duo x2 coexisted, but being the fool that I am, I got a second Duo bought another SSD, this time a 512GB 840 Pro and I'm now running 4 SSDs (1 original Series 840, 2 840 EVOs and the 840 Pro) along with my 3 Internal HDDs and a 3.5" Seagate internal SSHD. And, of course, 2 optical drives. Wow, 10 drives inside my Tower. Try that in a nMP.

I gave both my external drives the boot. Packed 'em away for a rainy day.

The Apricorn folks were GREAT to WORK with, and I thank them for their efforts in helping me solve my problem.

Lou

 

[Marcosmach]

Thank you Lou for the links.

I sounds a little overwhelming what I trying to do based on so many pros and cons.
Maybe I'll make things simple and install the solo x2 on my old MP 1.1 and just leave the newer velocity-duo on the my second MP with one SSD only untill I buy a second SSD to match my existing one and have both on the same card for my system only.

 

[hfg]

Just curious here ... but why are you running a pair of 2.5" hard disks on the DUO x2? Why wouldn't you use standard 3.5" drives in the drive bays? I wouldn't think the SATA II vs. SATA III would make much difference with hard disks, while using 7200rpm vs 5400rpm drives would be noticeable.

If you do encounter a booting problem with the Solo x2, you might consider putting your OS X boot disk on the DUO card, along with one of the hard disks ... and then put the other hard disk on the SOLO x2 card.

 

[Marcosmach]

Thanks HFG
This is what have,
On bay 1 I have an SSD with Mavericks that I need to keep. Bays 2, 3 and 4 I have 3x 3TB on each for pictures, FCX movies and music.
My external drives are backups only.
I thought it would be ok to run the 2.5" HD on the card and the fact that is connected to the PCIe cards it would make up for the drives being 5400 RPM.