Installed SSD in my 2010 Mac Mini Server

[radiohed]

I got a 256gb SSD for Xmas and installed it in one of the drive slots on my 2010 mini server running ML Client. The drive I got is a OCZ Vertex 4, which is sataIII, even though my mini only runs at sataII speeds. I figure down the road, when I buy a new mini, I can still use the drive and get the full speed benefits. But even at sataII speeds, the mini is like a new computer. Everything is much faster and the install wasn't really hard. You just have to be gentle with the little connectors. So anyways, now I have a much faster mini with a 256gb SSD and a 500gb hard drive and 8gb ram. I think it will serve me well. I also ordered an enclosure for my now spare 500gb drive!

 

[California]

I got a 256gb SSD for Xmas and installed it in one of the drive slots on my 2010 mini server running ML Client. The drive I got is a OCZ Vertex 4, which is sataIII, even though my mini only runs at sataII speeds. I figure down the road, when I buy a new mini, I can still use the drive and get the full speed benefits. But even at sataII speeds, the mini is like a new computer. Everything is much faster and the install wasn't really hard. You just have to be gentle with the little connectors. So anyways, now I have a much faster mini with a 256gb SSD and a 500gb hard drive and 8gb ram. I think it will serve me well. I also ordered an enclosure for my now spare 500gb drive!

Double your ram to 16GBs. I have your same machine. Yes, it can be done. I currently have dual 750GBs HDs, I needed the space more than the SSD.

 

[northernbaldy]

I'm upgrading mine when I get home
A 256 Samsung SSD and a 2gb HD
All the server does now is host iTunes and the iTunes library currently sits on an external 1gb FireWire drive
So it will be a little be tidier and we will have a spare external drive for backups

 

[dasx]

An SSD is the best improvement you can make to a computer these days. You can get a crappy Dell from 2006, put a Dell into it and feel you just bought it.

When I tell people who ask to spend that extra in it they look at me like if I were crazy. "Much more expensive and much less GB. You crazy?" Well. When you give it a try you can never go back to mechanical. lol

 

[pmcdunnough]

I have the same server. The drive in the upper bay ( according to get info) has become unreliable. I boot off the drive in the lower bay. I want to replace the drive in the upper bay with a 256gig SSD (crucial mx100) which I bought. I am somewhat confused as to which bay is the upper bay. Is it the one closest to the base of the Mini or the one closest to the top? I assume that the drive closest to the base, which can be opened, is easier to replace? The instructions I have seen appear to suggest you need to remove the motherboard. It all seems a bit tricky.

 

[jbarley]

I am somewhat confused as to which bay is the upper bay. Is it the one closest to the base of the Mini or the one closest to the top.

Here you go…
Top=Upper
Bottom=Lower

 

[Saileshbreaker]

Here you go…
Top=Upper
Bottom=Lower

My SSD is on the top and OSX recognize it as lower bay

 

[deeddawg]

My SSD is on the top and OSX recognize it as lower bay

Sounds like you plugged the drive cable into the connector for the lower bay.

 

[Saileshbreaker]

No I just replaced my stock HDD and plugged it to the original port