Quiet Thunderbolt (probably SSD) storage

[michael_aos]

I have the new Mac Pro 6,1 w/~500GB internal PCIe-based flash storage. Currently ~150GB free.

In retrospect, I probably should have gone with the ~1TB option.

I keep most of my files on the NAS, but I'm sure I'll want more DAS sooner than later.

Since I've got all these Thunderbolt ports, I'd just as soon use them, although the absolute fastest speed isn't really paramount.

It so happens I have a couple of Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Thunderbolt Adapters, although I wouldn't necessarily HAVE to use them.

Quick-and-easy solution might be a $429 480GB OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G SSD (and stick it in a Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Thunderbolt Adapter).

What else should I be looking at?

ETA - while speed isn't paramount, the DAS should be at least 200MB/s read / write in order to merit being on by desk -vs- NAS (~100MB/s read / write).

And ideally at least as silent as the new Mac Pro (which probably rules out the WD Velociraptor duo).

ETA - I've tried a few "desktop" (2400 power-on hours) hard drives, but they require "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" in order to meet their duty-cycle and the spin-up delay associated with them annoys me.

 

[michael_aos]

Does anyone have any suggestions on a low-to-mid priced Thunderbolt / Thunderbolt 2 SSD, probably around 500GB, for the new (Late 2013) Mac Pro?
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[VirtualRain]

Does anyone have any suggestions on a low-to-mid priced Thunderbolt / Thunderbolt 2 SSD, probably around 500GB, for the new (Late 2013) Mac Pro?
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There are several products that might fit your requirements... Have a browse through here...
https://thunderbolttechnology.net/products

 

[michael_aos]

So far, I'm kind of focusing on the $429 OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G SSD and sticking it on my existing Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Thunderbolt adapter. Since I'd probably put Virtual Machines, iPhoto Library, etc on it, the Incompressible Data Rate might be important.

Another appealing option is the $500 LaCie 500GB Rugged SSD. It's slower, but bus-powered, which seems like a bonus. I have already had occasion to cart my new Mac Pro to different locations for the day.

OWC appears to be working on a Mercury On-The-Go Pro Thunderbolt solution, that's also bus-powered, but the only model I see available to order is a 1TB 5400rpm drive that's not any faster than my NAS (so it doesn't really buy me anything).

The $700 LaCie Little Big Disk Thunderbolt Series 500GB SSD is screaming fast, but I don't need the speed enough to spend that much.
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[Reno Richter]

Curious: Obviously a fanless SSD enclosure would be quiet

The LaCie rugged TB SSD drives have no fans or air holes. DriveDX reports them as being on a high temp condition 100 percent of the time. False data report via Drive DX?.... and or should one be concerned with lack of cooling for an SSD drive?

FYI Firmtek enclosures have cooling holes but Drive DX reports my 840 EVO's in them as also in a high temp condition.

Thanks in advance for any advise.
Gary

 

[michael_aos]

Just noticed NEWEGG has a Crucial M500 960GB SSD for $439.99.

Don't know anything about it yet, but sounds interesting.