Which SSD tray for Mac Pro?

[Silly John Fatty]

The NewerTech is good if you would like to keep your sled.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/ADPTADRV/

However, using the OWC Mount Pro (blue sled) is the best because the SSD goes directly into the Mac Pro drive controller. The NewerTech and Icydock both connect to a adapter which then connects to the Mac Pro controller. The additional adapter may slow bandwidth as you have an extra adapter in between. It's better to go straight.

Of course, if you can spend the $100, get the Apricorn Velocity Solo x2. On the sled, you get SATA2 3GB/s. On PCIe, you will get SATA3 6GB/s (given your SSD is SATA3).

Hmm, I see, I didn't think of that.
But apparently there's also a cheaper way of connecting it with PCIe, a member on the previous page explained:

For a single SSD, you can hit near peak SATA3 speeds with a cheap ($15) PCIe x1 card, connect via a longer SATA cable and put yer SSD in the optical bay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-PCI-E-SATA-3-0-SATA-III-Card-6Gb-s-eSata-ASM1061-/150839174303

I'd be interested in this method depending on how it works. If it costs as much as a tray for the optical bay, obviously I'd go for this solution!

I like the idea of the SSD staying in the optical bay, but I'm confused as to how you connect it to that PCIe card. I've never hold an SSD in my hands before so I know nothing about them or how you connect them. I'll be buying the Samsung 850 Pro. Do you need to leave the door of the MP open and connect it from the outside, into these ports it shows on the pic?

 

[hfg]

Hmm, I see, I didn't think of that.
But apparently there's also a cheaper way of connecting it with PCIe, a member on the previous page explained:



I'd be interested in this method depending on how it works. If it costs as much as a tray for the optical bay, obviously I'd go for this solution!

I like the idea of the SSD staying in the optical bay, but I'm confused as to how you connect it to that PCIe card. I've never hold an SSD in my hands before so I know nothing about them or how you connect them. I'll be buying the Samsung 850 Pro. Do you need to leave the door of the MP open and connect it from the outside, into these ports it shows on the pic?

If you mount your SSD in the optical bay, you will need to purchase a mounting adapter for 5.25"-to-2.5", a SATA power adapter cable to draw power from the one-piece SATA cable in the optical bay, and a long SATA data cable to run down to the PCIe card which is routed through a small gap at the corner of the optical bay along with the other cables (this way you don't pinch it with the MP cover).

I would recommend the Velocity Solo x2 card (or the DUO x2) as the above poster mentioned. The result will be much cleaner, and the cost of all the mounts and cables will probably be close to the price of the x2 without all the aggrevation of installing and routing the cables.

 

[flowrider]

^^^^And, as I mentioned in Post #48 on the previous page. I have a Velocity Solo x2. PM me if interested.

Lou

 

[Silly John Fatty]

If you mount your SSD in the optical bay, you will need to purchase a mounting adapter for 5.25"-to-2.5", a SATA power adapter cable to draw power from the one-piece SATA cable in the optical bay, and a long SATA data cable to run down to the PCIe card which is routed through a small gap at the corner of the optical bay along with the other cables (this way you don't pinch it with the MP cover).

I would recommend the Velocity Solo x2 card (or the DUO x2) as the above poster mentioned. The result will be much cleaner, and the cost of all the mounts and cables will probably be close to the price of the x2 without all the aggrevation of installing and routing the cables.

Hmm, more complicated than I thought… thanks for explaining.

^^^^And, as I mentioned in Post #48 on the previous page. I have a Velocity Solo x2. PM me if interested.

Lou

Yes I know you'd like to sell it, but it isn't suited for me, already because of the fact you're in the US and I am in Europe. Shipping and toll would cost more than the thing itself.