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SATA Express meets the '09 Mac Pro - Bootable NGFF PCIE SSD

fastest migration I did EVER :eek:

now that the XP941 showed up on several online retailers over here in switzerland I had to get the 512GB model.

SLOT 4: XP941 256GB
SLOT 3: EMPTY
SLOT 2: XP941 512GB
SLOT 1: GFX

installed OS X on the 512GB model, bootet and used the migration assistant to move from the old 256GB to the new 512GB SSD. copying +/- 105GB took approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
 
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mikeboss said:
fastest migration I did EVER :eek:

now that the XP941 showed up on several online retailers over here in switzerland I had to get the 512GB model.

SLOT 4: XP941 256GB
SLOT 3: EMPTY
SLOT 2: XP941 512GB
SLOT 1: GFX

installed OS X on the 512GB model, bootet and used the migration assistant to move from the old 256GB to the new 512GB SSD. copying +/- 105GB took approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
Click to expand...

Just curious, I have read somewhere here that there might be a sleep issue after 7 hours on MacPro 2010. Have you experienced wake-up issue with having the SSD on Slot 2 on your cMP? Thanxx
 
handheldgames said:
The adapter I'm referring to allows an Apple x4 PCIe flash to be used in a x4 PCIe adapter. It's compatible with the cMP and can be used as a boot drive just like the XP941. Although it's not yet commercially available it should be available in less than a month. This board is not coming from Lycom or Bplus. Although they may have something similar in the works that I'm not aware of.

For the Z97 chipset PC world, or those with an extra Lycom or BPlus adapter,
adapters available to use Apple Flash in a standard x4 NGFF/M.2 slot in 2-3 months at the most.
Click to expand...

You're still being quite vague, lol.

Have you got a link to further information? Or at least tell us where it's coming from. And what makes you think/know it'll be cheaper?
 
kennyman said:
Just curious, I have read somewhere here that there might be a sleep issue after 7 hours on MacPro 2010. Have you experienced wake-up issue with having the SSD on Slot 2 on your cMP? Thanxx
Click to expand...

I only had the XP941 in slot 2 until the data migration was finished. because of the sleep/wake issue I placed the SSD in slot 4.
 
kennyman said:
Thanks mikeboss

So you did not experience any sleep issue when it was on Slot 2, right?
Click to expand...

I didn't see any problems because the system was not entering sleep mode. but I expect to see the sleep/wake issue if it went to sleep...

there's a small chance that this issue has been solved because of the newer firmware I found on the fresh 512GB XP941. unfortunately there's no updater to be found anywhere for the XP941.

I might test this with one of my spare machines if I find some free time...
 
mikeboss said:
I didn't see any problems because the system was not entering sleep mode. but I expect to see the sleep/wake issue if it went to sleep...

there's a small chance that this issue has been solved because of the newer firmware I found on the fresh 512GB XP941. unfortunately there's no updater to be found anywhere for the XP941.

I might test this with one of my spare machines if I find some free time...
Click to expand...

Thank you, appreciate it.
 
mikeboss said:
I didn't see any problems because the system was not entering sleep mode. but I expect to see the sleep/wake issue if it went to sleep...

there's a small chance that this issue has been solved because of the newer firmware I found on the fresh 512GB XP941. unfortunately there's no updater to be found anywhere for the XP941.

I might test this with one of my spare machines if I find some free time...
Click to expand...

Deep Sleep is definitely an issue with Slot #2 and the XP941 that appears to be a bug in Apples drivers or the MacPro Efi. Why it occurs after 6 - 7 hours is puzzling. I look forward to testing it with a new flavor of Flash in the end of August.

The best work around I can think of would be to set wake up events to occur every 5 1/2 hours followed by a sleep. Ymmv.
 
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@handheldgames

Thanks, but I am just curious, sorry if you guys have already answered this question. Say for example you install dual M.2 BPlus adapter on Slot 4 and add the KZ-B23x4 (extender board) connecting to Slot 2. Would that still cause the sleep issue after 7 hours? I still do not understand why the system will not wake up from sleep after 7 hours....it is a mystery:confused:
 
I have the XP941 in Slot 2 and no Problems, but i dont use the sleep mode. Auto sleep is turned off, and i dont put the Computer to sleep (I turn the computer off)
 
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kennyman said:
@handheldgames

Thanks, but I am just curious, sorry if you guys have already answered this question. Say for example you install dual M.2 BPlus adapter on Slot 4 and add the KZ-B23x4 (extender board) connecting to Slot 2. Would that still cause the sleep issue after 7 hours? I still do not understand why the system will not wake up from sleep after 7 hours....it is a mystery:confused:
Click to expand...

Reliability may be higher on an external / powered PCIe device. Here are my thoughts: If PCIe SSD's have a lower level of tolerance than what is provided in sleep mode on the cMP architecture, there may be something going on with the power state levels after the system has been been asleep for x hours. Putting the system into a higher state of power conservation.

While there are many what if's, this one stands out to me like a sore thumb. One way to understand what's happening with the hardware would be to use an oscilloscope to monitor power lines on the bPlus or Lycom card. It happens on both.

With an externally powered device it MAY not have the power drop issue. There are external PCIE expanders that cold be leveraged to make the MacPro a Flash FFD powerhouse.

Guess it's time to report the bug. :apple:

TzunamiOSX said:
I have the XP941 in Slot 2 and no Problems, but i dont use the sleep mode. Auto sleep is turned off, and i dont put the Computer to sleep (I turn the computer off)
Click to expand...

That approach will work every time. Considering how fast the boot process is off of the SSD(nMP class speeds), a clean boot doesn't get in the way.


Genghis Khan said:
You're still being quite vague, lol.

Have you got a link to further information? Or at least tell us where it's coming from. And what makes you think/know it'll be cheaper?
Click to expand...

Hey.. Until I have a chance to work with more than a part number, I'm not going to promote any brand or product. I have no doubt that what I've been told is accurate with the exception of Time. It could take longer. It could happen sooner. It depends on the quality on the 1st production run. That said , the cost to manufacture the card should be equivalent to components for NGFF cards so I would expect the PCIe adapter in the same price range of NGFF to PCIE cards.

The big savings comes with the use of Apple Flash SSD's VS Samsung NGFF Flash SSD's. $640(international) $499(new egg oos) vs $399 on a $512 part ...
 
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testing the sleep/wake issue, day 1:

MacPro5,1 with SAMSUNG XP941 512GB (FW Revision UXM6501Q) in slot #2

system was in sleep-mode over night and woke up this morning without any issues.

my "daily driver" Mac Pro with the 256GB XP941 (older firmware UXM6401Q) was NOT tested. and I won't test it as long as it remains to be my main computer...
 
mikeboss said:
testing the sleep/wake issue, day 1:

MacPro5,1 with SAMSUNG XP941 512GB (FW Revision UXM6501Q) in slot #2

system was in sleep-mode over night and woke up this morning without any issues.

my "daily driver" Mac Pro with the 256GB XP941 (older firmware UXM6401Q) was NOT tested. and I won't test it as long as it remains to be my main computer...
Click to expand...

Every crash I encountered was when the MacPro was booting from the XP941 in slot #2. It usually would wake up followed by the spinning wheel of death. There was nothing in event viewer that looked obvious except for OSX reporting the volume was unavailable. RobArt at BareFeats confirmed the bug with both Bplus and Lycom cards on the 512 variants. Rob is running off of flash a couple months old. Mine was acquired in December. It doesn't seem to be limited to a specific production run. Unless it stops happening for all new purchases, which would be indicative if a design update.
 
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handheldgames said:
Every crash I encountered was when the MacPro was booting from the XP941 in slot #2. It usually would wake up followed by the spinning wheel of death. There was nothing in event viewer that looked obvious except for OSX reporting the volume was unavailable. RobArt at BareFeats confirmed the bug with both Bplus and Lycom cards on the 512 variants. Rob is running off of flash a couple months old. Mine was acquired in December. It doesn't seem to be limited to a specific production run. Unless it stops happening for all new purchases, which would be indicative if a design update.
Click to expand...

What hibernate mode is set?
 
@mikeboss

If I understand correctly, SAMSUNG XP941 512GB with FW Revision UXM6501Q, it does not cause any issue to wake up from sleep on a cMP after 12-14 hours (overnight)...am I right?
 
correct! MacPro5,1 with SAMSUNG XP941 512GB (FW Revision UXM6501Q) in slot #2 configured as bootdrive (OS X 10.9.4) and no other PCIe cards or other drives installed didn't show any erratic behavior after sleep over last night (12+ hours). also sent it to sleep and woke it up several times throughout the day: no problems occurred so far. will test again tonight...
 
testing the sleep/wake issue, day 2:

MacPro5,1 with SAMSUNG XP941 512GB (FW Revision UXM6501Q) in slot #2

system was in sleep-mode over night and woke up this morning without any issues.
 
mikeboss said:
testing the sleep/wake issue, day 2:

MacPro5,1 with SAMSUNG XP941 512GB (FW Revision UXM6501Q) in slot #2

system was in sleep-mode over night and woke up this morning without any issues.
Click to expand...

This night i will test my XP941 with sleep mode (UXM6401Q) and make a report, too.
 
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testing the sleep/wake issue, day 3:

MacPro5,1 with SAMSUNG XP941 512GB (FW Revision UXM6501Q) in slot #2

system was in sleep-mode over night and woke up this morning without any issues.
 
Test 1

10 hours on sleep

no spinning wheel after wake up but i cant log in (can not sellect the password field). Perhaps a problem with the running USB Drive connected to the PCIe card (disconnect after login warning).

Test again this night without the USB drive.
 
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TzunamiOSX said:
Test 1

10 hours on sleep

no spinning wheel after wake up but i cant log in (can not sellect the password field). Perhaps a problem with the running USB Drive connected to the PCIe card (disconnect after login warning).

Test again this night without the USB drive.
Click to expand...

If you look into the Event View logs, there should be an entry referencing an ACHI device that is inaccessible.
 
testing the sleep/wake issue, day 3:

MacPro5,1 with SAMSUNG XP941 512GB (FW Revision UXM6501Q) in slot #2

system was in sleep-mode over night and woke up this morning without any issues.
 
Test 2

No USB, no Problem.

With no aktiv USB drive on my PCIe USB Card the Mac Pro wake up very well.

sleeptime 10 hours, XP941 in Slot 2
 
testing the sleep/wake issue, day 4 (now with Yosemite public beta):

MacPro5,1 with SAMSUNG XP941 512GB (FW Revision UXM6501Q) in slot #2

system was in sleep-mode over night and woke up this morning without any issues.
 
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