I would like to purchase the Promise Pegasus 12 TB raid 6 storage system for my 2009/2010 mac pro, but it requires a thunderbolt cable. From what I can see my mac pro doesn't have a thunderbolt port.
Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
No. But you can never tell how soon one may appear. Keep an eye on Sonnettech.com and MacSales.com. If one appears they are likely sources.
no, and it's unlikely that an add-on will become available. Essentially all MacPro I/O expansion is via PCI and I don't believe PCI can handle the data rates (which is why they went to Thunderbolt...)
A Thunderbolt port has a 10-Gbps data channel. I believe PCIx-2 supports at least 3 Gbps, but that is capable of supporting most if not all video cards and monitors, just not disk drives. Even then the latter top out now at 6 Gbps.
In that scenario, what do you figure a partially functional T-bolt channel would go for? 😉
Thunderbolt is primarily of value to laptops and non-expandible machines like the iMac and Mini. In that environment it's like "The Ultimate USB" with bandwidth beyond the pale.
To the Mac Pro, its primary value would be as a ultra high speed I/O bus. At one-third the bandwidth, there are already PCI solutions. It needs to be integrated into the MLB.
I have no idea. It may not be practical or useful to make a card for the MP.
is there an add on thunderbolt port available for older mac pro
