Wich Hard Drive/Ram to get? (Mac Pro)

[minimalistic]

Guys,

Im thinking of replacing the Hard Drive that comes stocked with the Mac Pro because its way too noisy.

Im looking for a 7200RPM hard drive, with good storage, and less noise compared to the one that comes with the Mac Pro. Between 200-300 dollars.

I was reading good reviews on the Maxtor MaxLine Pro 500, will it work with the Mac Pro?

Also, Im planning on buying an extra 1gb of third party ram, wich one do you recommend? 1x1gb or 2x 512mb?

Also best place to get them online.


Thanks alot!

 

[bob5820]

Guys,

Im thinking of replacing the Hard Drive that comes stocked with the Mac Pro because its way too noisy.

Im looking for a 7200RPM hard drive, with good storage, and less noise compared to the one that comes with the Mac Pro. Between 200-300 dollars.

I was reading good reviews on the Maxtor MaxLine Pro 500, will it work with the Mac Pro?

Also, Im planning on buying an extra 1gb of third party ram, wich one do you recommend? 1x1gb or 2x 512mb?

Also best place to get them online.


Thanks alot!

You need to install FB-DIMM's in same sized pairs, so if you intend to add 1GB your only option is the 2 x 512MB.
I've seen some good write ups on the Maxor, but also on Seagate .10's
I haven't recieved my Pro yet but if HD noise is a problem I may go with the Seagate 320GB. At the moment 250 - 320 GB has a better $ per GB ratio the the 400 and 500 GB drives.

 

[Altimeter88]

After much research I ordered 4x500GB Western Digital WD5000KS. This drive is the quietest and coolest 500GB drive you can get, it also beats most other 500GB drives in various performance benchmarks. I am usually a Seagate fan b/c of the 5-year warranty but their 500GB models are some of the loudest out there I think I read. I think BestBuy has these Western Digital Retail drives on sale for $159 out the door, no rebates, only problem is the retial drives only have 1-year warranty vs. 3-years for the OEM. MonarchComputer.com has the OEM for $183 shiped:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=150622&AFFIL=pg&NR=1

Here is the SilentPC review of the drive:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article617-page1.html

For the RAM I just got the Crucial (regular flat aluminum non-Apple heatsinks) for $169 per 1Gb DIMM from Newegg.com The only difference between this RAM and Apple's is the heatsink, and I have read numerous reports that the non-apple style FB-DIMM (regular flat heat-sink) runs fine and so far no-one has reported any problems or noticed high fan output etc. Even temps taken with an IR temp. gun didn't show noticable differences with the different types of RAM.
Here is the link to the RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146585
I did order some Thermaltake copper heatsinks and some Arctic Silver thermal epoxy to attach the heatsinks to the RAMsinks if heat becomes an issue, here those are:
http://www.xoxide.com/thermaltake-bga-copper-coolers.html

 

[minimalistic]

So basically Im between the Maxtor Maxline 500, the Western Digital WD500KS (same brand as stocked one - wich is really noisy, wont have a problem with noise?, and Seagate 320 7200.10...any other suggestions?

 

[rgomez]

I don't find the stock MacPro drive noisy, but I really haven't done the test in a way that could be measured. My office is a really really noisy place and even my PowerMac G5 was not audible most of the time .

I bought a WD500KS and it works really well. It gets only slightly warm, even after finishing the copy of 250gb worth of photos. About the noise issue, I find it very quiet, but, again, it might well be that the ambient noise is much more.

 

[amtberg]

I have the stock 250 GB drive and I bought another (WD Caviar) from NewEgg for $70 (w/ $10 rebate). I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it's the exact same drive Apple is using. I find them very quiet.

I would not recommend Maxtor drives. I've had a couple go belly up after a few months use.

 

[thebeephaha]

Don't go Maxtor, they s u c k.... I know from experience, every one I've owned is loud and they die.

Seagate all the way. Or a WD Raptor...

 

[stevo86]

seems like i got a lemon WD drive... it's a 250gb and is VERY loud. I had it in the second drive bay and it was going crazy... i had to move it over to the third to eliminate a constant buzz coming from the machine. But it's only quite when it's not in use, If it fires up then look out, same with my super drive... sounds like a Mack truck. I'm not overly pleased.

I'm also considering upgrading the RAM... but i refuse to get anything without the massive heatsinks... but on the other side i refuse to pay 300US for 1gb of RAM lol. Seems like i'm gonna have to give one way or the other.