Mac Pro & Western Digital 150GB Raptor X Settings

[sblasl]

I've ordered a Western Digital 150GB Raptor X for my Mac Pro. Can someone please share how the drive needs to be configured so that when it arrives I am ready to configure it and slap it in the Mac Pro? I have read about turning off Native Command Queuing (NCQ).

This will be the boot drive. Installed in drive bay #1.

Is this drive the correct drive, I ordered it from newegg. I've read that there are different versions of the Western Digital 150GB Raptor. There is one for use in a RAID, one that has a clear case (supposedly noisier) and then a regular hard drive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136011

 

[aviationwiz]

There are 2 different versions, one with the window, the Raptor X, which you linked to, and one without: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136012

For the Mac Pro, you may as well go with the one without the window, since you won't be able to see it anyways, and it's cheaper.

 

[sblasl]

Thanks aviationwiz, I had actually ordered the drive you referenced, I wasn't paying attention when I copied the link...
(what makes you an aviationwiz?)

Can someone provide me with the correct drive settings (jumper pins) so that I can be ready when the drive arrives?

There are 2 different versions, one with the window, the Raptor X, which you linked to, and one without: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136012

For the Mac Pro, you may as well go with the one without the window, since you won't be able to see it anyways, and it's cheaper.

 

[MRU]

Thanks aviationwiz, I had actually ordered the drive you referenced, I wasn't paying attention when I copied the link...
(what makes you an aviationwiz?)

Can someone provide me with the correct drive settings (jumper pins) so that I can be ready when the drive arrives?

Just leave it as it is and stick it in. Should work plug & play.

 

[aviationwiz]

Thanks aviationwiz, I had actually ordered the drive you referenced, I wasn't paying attention when I copied the link...
(what makes you an aviationwiz?)

Can someone provide me with the correct drive settings (jumper pins) so that I can be ready when the drive arrives?

I picked the name a long while back, mostly because of my interest in aviation, and my general knowledge of commercial aviation, as most of my friends will ask me questions whenever they fly. The earliest use on record of me using it was in July 2002 when I signed up for a forum with that name, I'm not sure if I ever used it before then.

As to the question on drive settings, SATA drives don't have any jumper pins, which is very nice,

Just screw the drive onto the rail, plug it in, and it works,

 

[sblasl]

Turning off Native Command Queuing (NCQ)?

I read somewhere that Native Command Queuing (NCQ) needed to be disabled. Can someone confirm this please?

Just leave it as it is and stick it in. Should work plug & play.

 

[CanadaRAM]

NCQ does little or nothing for you in single user operation and may actually slow it down. Disable NCQ unless you are running a server.

The Raptor X scored about 9% better in the High End Drivemark 2006 rating with NCQ off (Windows test, but using Photoshop, Director, Dreamweaver etc.).

 

[sblasl]

CanadaRam thanks for the confirmation, that is what i wanted to know.

NCQ does little or nothing for you in single user operation and may actually slow it down. Disable NCQ unless you are running a server.

The Raptor X scored about 9% better in the High End Drivemark 2006 rating with NCQ off (Windows test, but using Photoshop, Director, Dreamweaver etc.).

 

[techster85]

ok, so then how do you turn it off? i'm not at my mac pro right now so it could be easy and I can't find it through google...any help?

 

[sblasl]

The million dollar question...

ok, so then how do you turn it off? i'm not at my mac pro right now so it could be easy and I can't find it through google...any help?