SSD vs Seagate Firecuda for iMac Plex server

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Level 1

8 points

SSD vs Seagate Firecuda for iMac Plex server

I have a late 2010 iMac that needs a replacement hard drive. It will not be my primary computer but I am instead going to use it as a media server with Plex installed. I have a good, fast external 8TB drive with my media but am not against transferring the data to the iMac’s new internal drive if that will work better.

So my question is given the specific use I will have for the iMac what is a better drive to install? I was initially leaning to an OWC SSD:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac-27-inch/2010

I would then use the attached 8TB drive for all the media. But then someone else suggested that perhaps something like a Seagate Firecuda Hybrid drive might be better because all my media would be local and I wouldn’t be relying on USB 2 to access my media. Anyone have suggestions or recommendations?

OBS, iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), macOS High Sierra (10.13.6)

Posted on Jul 19, 2018 11:20 PM

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Answer 1

anonyme4321

Level 6

17,275 points

Jul 20, 2018 3:09 PM in response to NYCFun

Ah I see.

So yes, it will definitely be faster since internal motherboard access to the hybrid SSD+HDD will be faster than a USB2 connection.

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Answer 2

anonyme4321

Level 6

17,275 points

Jul 20, 2018 1:06 AM in response to NYCFun

For sure if the media is stored on a traditional HDD connected over USB2 it will be slower than straight from an internal SSD.

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Answer 3

anonyme4321

Level 6

17,275 points

Jul 19, 2018 11:57 PM in response to NYCFun

To the best of my knowledge, Plex works just fine with external HDD, so I would not worry about needing to have an all internal storage.

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Answer 4

Jul 20, 2018 3:09 PM in response to NYCFun

FWIW, if the iMac will be a server on a network, the network

itself will be more of a limitation than anything in the iMac,

especially if it is a wireless network.

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Answer 5

NYCFun Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 20, 2018 12:34 AM in response to anonyme4321

Thanks for that info on Plex. That was my hope and I assumed using an external HD in and of itself is not an issue. My dilemma is more around what is the configuration that should provide the best performance. So to be specific, will the USB 2 connection to the hard drive negate the advantages of upgrading to an SSD? Will serving the media off an internal hybrid drive be faster than from an SSD to USB 2 external drive?

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Answer 6

NYCFun Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 20, 2018 1:37 AM in response to anonyme4321

I really appreciate your quick responses. But that isn't the configuration I am contemplating. Nothing is being served directly from the SSD because my media library is too big to fit on it (i'm thinking a 120GB or 240GB SSD). The choices were SSD (with no media on it) to USB 2 external HDD (with all my media), OR an internal hybrid drive (with all my media). From what you've said, I'm thinking you would lean toward me upgrading to whatever is internal and doesn't rely on USB 2.

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