Installing SSD

Question

Level 2

180 points

Installing SSD

I have a 2008 MacPro and going to breath a little life into it by installing an SSD. One quick question I have to buy a 2.5 to 3.5 SATA SSD/HDD converter http://uk.crucial.com/gbr/en/ctssdconvt#reviewDetails

Is it just a case of connecting the 2.5 drive into the converter box and then the converter box will just slot into the MacPro exactly the same as if I was installing a new HD? Anything I should look out for? I'm also looking at this from Crucial because I've just done a scan to see what is compatible for my system.

http://uk.crucial.com/ProductDisplay?displayCompatibleLogo=1&urlRequestType=Base &catalogId=10153&productId=12950&externalPartNumber=CT5398078&urlLangId=-1&scanI d=1BC198D431D926C3&langId=-1&storeId=10153

Thanks for any replies!

Posted on Feb 11, 2015 12:56 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Feb 11, 2015 1:11 PM in response to marc smith6

You need to find a replacement sled for your model on which to mount the SSD. I suppose the so-called conversion boxes may work, but I've never used one. Note that there are sleds for 2009 and later models that won't fit in your model. I believe your model requires the same sled as the 2006 model.

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Answer 2

marc smith6 Author

Level 2

180 points

Feb 11, 2015 1:17 PM in response to Kappy

Forgive the ignorance but what is a 'sled'

thanks

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Feb 11, 2015 1:27 PM in response to marc smith6

It's what all your drive bays use for installing drives. As an example see, OWC Multi-Mount: 2.5 to 3.5 / 3.5 to 5.25 Hard Drive adapter bracket set for 2006-2008 Mac Pro.

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Answer 4

marc smith6 Author

Level 2

180 points

Feb 11, 2015 1:32 PM in response to Kappy

I get you. Thats what I thought that converter was that I linked to in my original post?

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Feb 11, 2015 1:37 PM in response to marc smith6

That's not the sled, but a conversion enclosure. As I said earlier i've never used them, so I know nothing about if they work. I don't know if they will work/fit on a MP's sled. If you want to, then call Crucial and ask.

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Answer 6

marc smith6 Author

Level 2

180 points

Feb 11, 2015 2:03 PM in response to Kappy

OK I will do when they are open here in the UK.

Thanks for your help!

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Answer 7

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Feb 12, 2015 5:31 AM in response to marc smith6

Another faster device and method - though any of the Samsung 850 EVO will make a huge difference - and are downright cheap now as in US$75 128GB and US$99 250GB

Is the Samsung XP941 that is fitted into a PCIe slot and can get 900MB/sec.

Look for Icy Dock on Amazon to put the SSD into and which will fit on the drive sled like it was a 3.5" drive4.

I would assume you already have added and installed / replaced hdd in there already.

One for data, one for TimeMachine, etc

Clone the system (only) from the hdd

Skip the user folders for large folders of media and libraries and leave just the home account library ~/Library to be copied to the SSD

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Answer 8

marc smith6 Author

Level 2

180 points

Feb 12, 2015 11:04 AM in response to The hatter

Thanks for the info Hatter! I have gone with the Crucial drive (and Kappy) the converter does do the same as the sled you mentioned so I got one of those and you just connect it to the drive draw and push in as you would any other HD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_6IVulrYHg

Thanks for your help on this guys!

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Answer 9

Ziatron

Level 5

4,220 points

Feb 15, 2015 9:31 AM in response to marc smith6

This is how I did it on a 2010 Mac Pro.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IRRDHW6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8 &psc=1

and this.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005PZDVF6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8 &psc=1

I love having computers that you can "open up" and make changes too.

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