MP 1,1-5,1 Question - using a PCie to eSata adapter in a CMP 4,1 or 5,1

[OldMacPro2]

I know this is probably a “dumb” idea, but I have an old PCie to ESata card and I was wondering if anyone has experience running an adapter card like this in a cMP 4,1 or 5,1.

Before I waste any time installing it, does a MacOS like Bug Sur or later have support for eSata adapters or would I have to use one from Sonnet or OWC that might have a MacOS driver?

If that’s the case I won’t bother trying it, but go look at USB 3 cards.

 

[tsialex]

There are literally hundreds of different eSATA cards, if macOS have drivers for the SATA->PCIe controller, it will probably work fine.

Find the exact chipset model of the eSATA card and do a websearch for macOS support, is it's one that is supported, then try it with your Mac Pro.

 

[OldMacPro2]

Good advice, as usual. Thanks tsialex !

But now I think I may just skip the eSata idea and finally buy a USB 3.x card for my cMP. Might just be a waste of time chasing it down a rabbit hole. 😊

 

[joevt]

Does eSATA allow hot plug on macOS? Or does it depend on the PCIe card and drivers?

SATA only supports up to 540 MB/s. USB will allow 1060 MB/s and definitely supports hot plug.