Just bought an OCZ Vertex 2 SSD for my Mac Pro (early 09). Tried to fit it, should have been a doddle but Apple use chunky hard drive screws instead of the normal screws that actually fit a normal hard drive. Do I have to buy an SSD from Apple just so the screws will fit because that seems ridiculous.
Mac Pro, 8 Cores baby!
You don't attach SSDs to the Apple metal sleds, you can use anything you want, but I'd recommend an adapter designed to fit.
Found Amazon was cheaper than OWC or Newegg Icy Dock $15
http://www.amazon.com/2-5-3-5-Ssd-sata-Convert/dp/B002Z2QDNE/
It's a 3.5" drive. Might return it for a 2.5" so I can put it in an adapter though...
Failing that I could just use duck tape but I'm not sure what effect the heat would have on the adhesive.
SSDs don't come in 3.5"
They often come with a drive sled adapter of their own, which also don't fit.
They are already 2.5" form.
The tape tends to bond to the SSD outer case. Messy.
Some just put their SSD up in the lower optical drive bay too.
Just bought an OCZ Vertex 2 SSD for my Mac Pro (early 09). Tried to fit it, should have been a doddle but Apple use chunky hard drive screws instead of the normal screws that actually fit a normal hard drive. Do I have to buy an SSD from Apple just so the screws will fit because that seems ridiculous.
Are you saying that OCZ drive doesn't take a 6-32 screw like most other drives? Apple's drive sled screws may have a slightly different shape. But they have to be 6-32's to accept the stand hdd drives. Ok they have a fancy head for a phillips-like screwdriver and some vibration washers, but they should be 6-32's. There's nothing stopping you from removing those screws and using one to your liking (vibration washers should be able to be removed).
Of course, as hatter mentioned, you could just lay it in the spare optical bay. There's no moving parts so just letting it lay there is sufficient.
Here's a link to OWC's SSD page
Please show me the 3.5" drive, and the Vertex 2, neither appear in their list.
And now for the apology ......
I looked at OWC, not OCZ so this is moot 🙂
All my SSDs came 'bare' but included a PC bracket like this:
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-3-5-Inch-Adaptor-Bracket-OCZACSSDBRKT2/dp/B002I8MUU0/
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-Technology-Vertex-2-5-Inch-OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G/dp/B003NE 5JCO/
This, though, is in its own Icy Dock type enclosure and assume what you got and why it won't fit.
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-Technology-Vertex-3-5-Inch-OCZSSD3-2VTX120G/dp/B003VWZ L1W/
Managed to get it in. Long story short, I don't think it's the screws, it's the holes. On closer inspection they seem to be just that, plastic holes. So they'll take varying thread types put you have to put a bit more effort in to cut into the plastic. Apple's slightly more aggressive threading and the slightly odd cross head slot made it hard to apply enough force. They probably would work but I felt a bit nervous about having to forcing a screw into a brand new SSD!
I used hard disk mounting screws from the Antec P180 case our PC is in which are longer on account of the vibration dampers in that case. Will upload a picture of the 3 screws nect to each other tomorrow so you can see what I mean.
Thanks for help and suggestions. The SSD must work as its now running the Lion I'm typing this from 😎. Boot up time noticeably increased, haven't had much chance to check anything else yet.
Mac Pro Non Standard Hard Drive Screws?
