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User profile for user: LSDLLC
LSDLLC Author
User level: Level 1
55 points

installing 'bulk' hard drives and OWC memory in Mac Pro

Hi-
I just ordered a Mac Pro One 2.8GHz Quad-core Intel Xeon 2GB RAM(2x1GB) and now looking to buy 2 quantity SEAGATE ST31000340AS 1TB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Hard Drive Bulk from ZipZoomFly.com. Do I need to get any cables or screws to install this?

Also, I plan to mirror or use time capsule to back up one from another. I will have the 320 drive that comes with the Mac Pro from apple--should I keep that as drive 1 for startup and use 2 Seagate 1TB drives in drive 1 & 2?

I am also ordering 8.0GB OWC Matched Set (2GB x 4) PC6400 DDR2 ECC 800MHz 240 Pin FB-DIMM Modules for Mac Pro Quad Core / 8 Core 2.8/3.0/3.2GHz systems for $329.99. Is there a cheaper price anywhere else? If I install these I will have 10 GB RAM, yes?
thanks, Lisa

Mac Pro One 2.8GHz Quad-core Intel Xeon 2GB RAM(2x1GB), Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Aug 13, 2008 2:33 PM

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10 replies
User profile for user: The hatter
The hatter
User level: Level 9
61,001 points

Aug 14, 2008 4:33 AM in response to LSDLLC

OWC insures Seagate drives have proper firmware, and their prices and quality on Mac Pro RAM is fine so I'd buy both from them.

The Mac Pro doesn't use cables, the drives are on sleds that slide in.

http://www.apple.com/support/macpro/
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP11
http://eshop.macsales.com/CustomizedPages/Framework.cfm?page=install_videos/macpro/macproquicksheet.html

I think eventually you might want to use a better faster boot drive.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Western%20Digital/WD6400AAKS/
http://www.barefeats.com/harper14.html

1TB drives compared http://www.barefeats.com/hard94.html
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User profile for user: LSDLLC
LSDLLC Author
User level: Level 1
55 points

Aug 14, 2008 11:38 AM in response to The hatter

thanks. but still not clear on the 'bulk' question... are they all sold that way? are they missing sleds? to me it looks like the drive is open from the pictures--is that normal/correct?
zipzoomfly is cheaper at $149.99...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005936&prodlist=ce lebros

can you tell me what the difference is between the 2 drives below at OWC?

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Seagate/ST31000340NS/ $187.99
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Seagate/ST31000340AS/ $257.99

so on the drive question... you're suggesting I get a faster drive (such as the western digital you mentioned) for start up in bay 1 and put the 2 1TB drives in bays 2 & 3?

thanks again, Lisa
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User profile for user: The hatter
The hatter
User level: Level 9
61,001 points

Aug 14, 2008 12:37 PM in response to LSDLLC

All you need are bare drives. OWC checks Seagate drives. There are Enterprise Editions, and those that are not.

1.0TB Seagate Barracuda ES-2 Enterprise-Class
1.0TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 SATA II 7200RPM

There are white box bare drives which is all you need. Bulk could be OEM vs white box, different firmware, or something. Where they came from, etc. but I would skip or realize you might be taking a chance.

Check Seagate, just Google the model ID to learn more about Enterprise and check reviews on StorageReview, Barefeats, AMUG.

Your Mac Pro has the special sleds you need (you can buy add'l from 3rd party if you have some you want to use on occasion, say backup, and not have to move a drive on/off drive sled).

Any drive bay can be the system, and you can move drives without affecting where or what boots.
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installing 'bulk' hard drives and OWC memory in Mac Pro

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