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Level 1

6 points

What to do with that extra bay?

So what can be put in that extra optical bay below the top one in the Mac Pro?(not that I can even see a way to access it). Why would there even be a second space there....why would you need another optical drive when the superdrives do it all?

Mac Pro Dual Core 2.66 Intel Xeon, Mac OS X (10.5.4), 9GB RAM with dual monitor setup, Digi 002R/Pro Tools 7.3

Posted on May 3, 2009 2:21 PM

25 replies

Gothboy Author

Level 1

6 points

May 7, 2009 7:04 AM in response to tokyobeing

You're right...pictures do help. I didn't know we could post pictures!? Do you have a shot of the bracket mounted in the Optical housing? Humm...PC interior Freedom....I googled that and not getting anything on it. At least I have a visual.
I went into my local computer fix-it shop and they were like "Huh, what's a Mac Pro....." with some PC whiz kid behind the counter going on about the amazing computer HE built and how it was faster than a Mac Pro. I said: "Yeah but is it a piece of art!"
So they're no help...I'm going to have to order something online but that's hard as you never know if it's going to work until it arrives.
I was going to just do a single 3.5 but maybe you're onto something with these 2 2.5" drives so I'm considering that if I can just find the right hardware.

j.v.

Level 5

4,155 points

May 8, 2009 3:12 PM in response to Gothboy

Gothboy wrote:
I didn't know we could post pictures!?

You can't. But you can post a URL link to a picture.
On the menubar, go to View > Source and search for the character string img src=http to see how

Gothboy Author

Level 1

6 points

May 9, 2009 6:58 AM in response to marokero

Thanks for that extra possibility suggestion....I appreciate the idea. I think I'm going to stick with putting an extra drive or two in there as I've still got 3 open PCI slots and the graphics card is really all I need at the moment.

Gothboy Author

Level 1

6 points

May 9, 2009 7:03 AM in response to Gothboy

Does anyone know a good online source for bracket parts that would work with the MP optical bay to get either a single 3.5" or 2 2.5" drives in there?(not the expensive $145.00 bracket!)

marokero

Level 1

135 points

May 9, 2009 8:14 AM in response to Gothboy

You could try these separates:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8871/hdc-63/ScytheBay_Rafter_25_HDD_CoolerAdapter.html?tl=g1c12s906
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2806/hdc-09/BlackVantec_Ultimate_Hard_DriveCooler.html?tl=g40c18s238

If I had the bay free and needed the storage, that's what I would get myself. Very affordable, and seems like a good solution to cool off two 2.5" or a single 3.5" hard drive.

Message was edited by: marokero

Gothboy Author

Level 1

6 points

May 9, 2009 3:15 PM in response to marokero

OK, well this is a new "spin" on things! He, he.....sorry. I hadn't planned on putting a fan in there but....OK. My first question is: Do these things fit inside the bay? Do they span the difference between the optical walls and a 3.5" Hard drive? There's not much there on the sellers page about that.
Another is power. I'm not yet sure how many extra power supplies are in there....I haven't opened it up and looked. I think it's just one.....so can a fan AND a drive be Y'd into one power plug?

marokero

Level 1

135 points

May 9, 2009 10:55 PM in response to Gothboy

That whole unit should fit inside the same volume as a dvd drive, if not a bit shorter. The fans don't draw too much power, they are only 40mm each. You don't REALLY need a fan since the PSU fan already keeps a constant airflow, so maybe you can skip on the little fans if you don't think they will be necessary.

Gothboy Author

Level 1

6 points

Mar 11, 2011 1:48 PM in response to Gothboy

Added the extra drive finally. One thing I found essential to adding a drive in the optical bay: You CAN remove the front fan assembly. You remove one of the PCI slot covers and use it as a lever on the Fan by sliding it in the groove between it and the metal housing and lift. Impossible to do without this step!
http://eshop.macsales.com/techcenter/manuals/cdinstall/macpro_opticalinstall.pdf

Gothboy Author

Level 1

6 points

Mar 12, 2011 8:50 AM in response to Gothboy

I'm now getting this 60cycle hum after installing a new WD 1TB Black caviar drive in one of the 4 drive sleds and moving my 160GB WD drives to the optical bay. I put the optical sled in with the provided screws. Can anyone give me some idea of why I'm getting this hum?

Gothboy Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 10, 2011 7:15 AM in response to Gothboy

Installed a 1TB drive successfully. Note to others doing this: You need to use one of the PCI slot covers as a lever to remove the front fan housing! Thanks to all who helped me out here.

What to do with that extra bay?