eSata on Mac Pro

Hi -

I am using this:

http://www.amazon.com/Tempo-Sata-Pcie-Controller-Multiplier/dp/B000J54JDK/ref=sr11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269903423&sr=1-1

The Sonnet card is very nice, but if you don't have the budget, this will work as well:

http://www.siig.com/ViewProduct.aspx?pn=SC-SAE412-S3

JM

I use this (first in my G5 and now in a MacPro): http://www.firmtek.com/seritek/seritek-2me4-e/

-DH

I see that you are using Snow Leopard.

In which case, make certain you get a eSATA card that is compatible with SL and SL in the 4-bit mode.

Here are two. The second is one the permits port multipliers, and both are driverless cards.

http://thurly.net/snj

http://thurly.net/snk

I don't know the true pros/cons of this solution...maybe someone else can contribute more in that area. But there are 2 open SATA connectors on the Mac Pro motherboards.



Using this simple/cheap device lets you extend those ports to the rear of your machine where they are readily accessible.

Not on the 2009 MacPros and later.

Just one.

Hi -
I would definitely recommend going for a card with port multipliers, if your budget allows, as it will allow to grow your system as your demands change.

MTD

This is the solution i'm using and it works for me. You do need small hands to have access to these ports.
Yvon.

Dear all, I am happy to see Mac users using eSATA.
Fyi, good news, there is a new eSATA + USB combo called eSATAp (power over eSATA)
http://www.esatap.sg/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/esatap-300x217.jpg

1) It is able to self power a 3.5" HDD / SSD / Blueray drive alone! in a desktop workstation environment.

2) It is backward compatible with USB 2

3) It can be easily implemented by simply using a Delock bracket & a 12V power to translate the internal SATA to eSATAp. No drivers or BIOS tweak needed!

4) Many NAS storage is expandable with eSATA

5) So get an eSATAp capable HDD (e.g. Delock http://www.delock.com)

Youtube: PqlqCoQMLsQ (eSATA is still faster than USB 3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlqCoQMLsQ

I just installed one of those in my 2010 Quad Core - it's a good cheap solution. But on the 2010 model there is only 1 available ESATA connector - the other one is used for the optical drive.

It wasn't difficult to install, beware that the fan screws are Phillips #2 not #0 as in the OWC video. But I ended up not removing the fan and running the cable behind it on the top rather than the bottom, using the flat connector not the L connector.

The disadvantage of this over a card is you only get one port and as far as I can tell, you can't daisy chain ESATA (but that's why I'm here, to ask that question!)

cb