SSDs for 2008 Mac Pro

I'm thinking about buying an SSD for my Mac Pro (see specs in my signature), any recommendations?  I've been a big fan of products from OWC in the past, so I'm considering their Mercury line.  On the other hand, Crucial drives are a bit cheaper (especially on Amazon).  Question: would there be any point in my getting an M4 from Crucial rather than a V4?  My understanding is that the primary difference is the 6gb/s vs. 3gb/s transfer rates, but that my Mac Pro can only handle 3gb/s anyway.
I'm still on Snow Leopard for now, but I'm looking into whether or not Mountain Lion will be a worthwhile upgrade for me--still not sure about compatibility of certain key apps in my workflow.

The main improvement in performance in a Mac Pro is establishing a boot drive with only System, Library, Applications and the hidden Unix files including paging/swap.
The bulk of the performance increase is not from the speed of the Boot Drive, but from what it is NOT doing -- it is not moving the Data Drive heads away from your data files to go "snacking" for system files or Paging in the middle of your production work. At a cost of tens of milliseconds for every access plus that much time again to get back to the Data areas.
ANY separate drive will produce the majority of  the improvement.
A faster drive will produce a slight incremental improvement. A low-latency SSD will produce another slight incremental improvement. These incremental improvements will be most perceptible in a very slightly faster boot-up time and very slightly faster Application launch times.
You are concentrating on the absolute LEAST important issues, that will have the smallest, possibly not even perceptible performance impacts.
My Advice: Get a Boot Drive that is cheap and live happily ever after.

Similar Messages

  • 3.5" SSD tray for 2008 Mac Pro

    I've just bought a new SSD for my 2008 Mac Pro and I need a 2.5" to 3.5" tray for it.  I've seen recommendations for the Icy Dock, can someone confirm whether or not this fits the 2008 model?  Or, are there other trays I should look at instead?  Thanks.

    jdredge wrote:
    I've just bought a new SSD for my 2008 Mac Pro and I need a 2.5" to 3.5" tray for it.  I've seen recommendations for the Icy Dock, can someone confirm whether or not this fits the 2008 model?  Or, are there other trays I should look at instead?  Thanks.
    You might want to check this out: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sonnet%20Technologies/TP25ST35TA/. OWC also offers a complete sled but only for the 2009 and later Mac Pro's, which use a slightly different sled design from your '08.

  • 2nd graphics card for 2008 Mac Pro 3.1

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  • Installing Airport extreme card for 2008 Mac Pro

    After some searching I finally found which airport extreme card to get for my 2008 Mac Pro that I just purchased recently . According to the the link below in the Apple archives it is part number MB363Z/A. However the link further down in the thread for the instructions on installing the card doesn't seem to work any more. Anyone know where to find another link for some detailed instructions or pics on installing the card. I haven't found any as of yet. I installed the old extreme card in my G5 pretty easily, but this seems a little more involved in the Mac pro from what I've read so far.
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  • Mini Display Port connector for 2008 Mac Pro

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    Which 27" display?  Current Thunderbolt model or previous mini-displayport model?
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  • Replacement CD/DVD Drive for 2008 Mac Pro?

    I need to purchase a new optical drive for my 2008 Mac Pro 2.8 GHz Quad-Core desktop computer. I checked OWC, but they're out of stock. I currently have a Samsung SH-S222L, which I absolutely hate–mainly because the heads access the drive every 5 minutes or so. Very, very annoying.
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    Psst ! Here's a little tip for you. The drive used in Mac Pro's isn't exclusive to the mac. It's an Optiarc model
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    I think you can can do this....
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    John B

  • ATI Radeon 5770 for 2008 Mac Pro

    I just bought this card for my 2008 mac pro. According to the Apple store's Q&A, this card should work fine with my computer. I am curious if this is just a simple swap, or if I need to attach any additional power cable to the mother board.
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    I had basically the same problem with trying to run the Mac 5770 with a Mac/PC 3870 in my 2008 Octo 3.1 MP. I was hoping I could use the component output on the 3870 (using the 9 pin ATI adapter that has component, s-video and composite outputs) for my Sony CRT Pro monitor and using the DVI to run a large screen TV for Netflicks, etc, or another smaller digital monitor. Plus, I was keeping my fingers crossed that Apple's "Color" application wouldn't see the 3850 if I had the AV switcher turning the connections off when not in use while editing in FCP Studio (Color will usually not launch if it "sees" two graphics cards connected to monitors).
    Apparently the 5770 firmware has a conflict with other ATI cards: 2600, 3850 and maybe even 4870. I thought they would have a better chance of working together being ATI, but apparently not. Another user posted that he was able to get a NVIDIA GT 120 working fine with the ATI 5770 after having the same issues with the ATI 2600, but whether Color will launch is another question. I suppose I can try some older cheaper NVIDIA's maybe even some with analog outputs that the 3870 had if I could find one? Any suggestions or success stories in running a second card with the 5770?
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    I don't play games or do much 3D, so I hope it was worth the upgrade price, as the 3870 had a passive cooler, was rock solid in every aspect and ran Core apps fast, but it didn't have OpenCL, so I'm hoping to see some improvement across the board in my graphics, especially the Adobe CS5 Suite.

  • USB3 card for 2008 Mac Pro

    am considering adding USB 3 capability to my 2008 Mac Pro (which still works great ... I had it overhauled last year...)
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    w

    yes! thank you.
    a google search would show lots of options, but for someone like me (who is less savvy than most of the contributors to this discussion board) it's hard to know exactly what card will work with my machine.
    Looking at the Sonnet cards, this one seems like a very good bargain -
    <https://www.google.com/shopping/product/11936350470791125384?q=Allegro+USB+3.0+P CIe&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.59568121,d.cWc,pv.xjs.s.en_US.1EneOJbgwUk.O&bi w=980&bih=868&tch=1&ech=1&psi=ikrZUv6xAurlsASmpICgCg.1389972106495.5&ei=k0rZUs-N DOKosASy5ICgCg&ved=0CJcEEKYrMAE>
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  • Help with new video card for 2008 mac pro

    I was looking to upgrade the speed of my 2008 Mac Pro Video
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    Looking for any suggestions?
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    From my understanding my mac has two 2.0 pci slots and one is used by the video card?

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nvidia-GTX-780-3-GB-for-Apple-Mac-Pro-/331071998403?n ma=true&si=TLQfb78DRSdpDaz0cZAp4FFlvP8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p204767 5.l2557
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    this is what i plan to use in my mac pro 3,1

  • Video cards for 2008 Mac Pro with 4 20 inch Cinema Displays

    I have an early 2008 Mac Pro Quad Core with 16GB RAM. I run a 4 (20 inch Mac Cinema Display) monitor configuration off of it. one of my video cards just failed. They were never very good at handling FX in FCP anyway. I want to upgrade and get good cards for 2 displays each and if possible, video cards that will facilitate FCP X as well. What should I get?

    OS X has drivers in 10.6.5
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    OWC is over pricing.
    100s of threads asking the same question for the last yr.
    5870 also, but costs $200 more.
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    netkas.org
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    Radeon 5870 vs 5770 GTX 285 4870
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  • Can Apple supply replacement DVD drives (IDE) for 2008 Mac Pros?

    I have tried to find replacements for two faulty internal Superdrives on-line, with no luck.
    Today I went into my local Apple Store and was advised to call with my serial number.
    After calling & waiting I was told I needed to be put through to the technical department.
    That turned out to be the Applcare line.
    My Applecare expired a while ago & the office was closed anyway.
    I haven't been able to find out directly from Apple if they can still supply replacement drives, does anyone here know (anyone actually got some)?
    Please help me clear the junk of my desk and rid me of tatty plastic Samsung drives....

    yeah, I think you nailed it there. technically Apple does still provide service for the 2008 Mac pro's but you'd have to take it in and wait.  Your mileage may vary-As you (and I) have found out, it'd be cheaper and easier just to go out, buy a new drive, and install the darn thing yourself. Besides, Optiarc (the original drive makers) aren't in business anymore, and....yeah....you'll probably find E sata  DVD drives 97% of the time, so probably go with that. I bought from MCE tech... an Atapi Blu Ray drive, which I had to buy because my superdrive bit the dust,  and a new DVD burner would have cost at least 50, so, I figured why not. In a pinch, you can use an ATAPI/IDE dvd burner from a PC  with no problem. Just plug 'er right in, and make sure the jumper is set to 'cable select' .. as for Pioneer, I know that OWC has the Pioneer blu-ray drive, but I haven't been able to find any plain Pioneer DVD burners, at least not around here.
    So, i guess in answer to your question: technically, yes, but you'd have to bring in your mac pro and pay their prices.

  • OpenCL for 2008 mac pro

    Hello,
    I have a 2008 Mac Pro Harpertown along with the ATI Radeon 4870. According to Apple, those 2008 mac pros with the Radeon 4870s are supposidly compatible with the new opencl technology. Is this true? How do I find out whether or not I am getting OPENCL support on my 2008 mac pro?

    Nadav,
    http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/32266/opencl-benchmark
    Scott

  • Airport signal strength for 2008 mac pro

    Hello everyone,
    So, I have a 2008 Mac Pro 3.0Ghz. I read on some of the threads that the airport signal is kind of weak due to the aluminum case. Is this true on all the mac pros, or only on some? I plan to get rid of the USB wireless adapter and use the internal airport option.
    Thanks,

    The internal airport is way better, you'll be a lot happier. I had problems recently when I updated from 10.5.5 to 5.7, but after upgrading my wireless router firmware, I've actually got a stronger signal than before~
    People having issues, should check with their router as well. It's not always the card, even if a different computer is getting a great connection. I think it's a case by case kinda thing.
    Anyway Highly recommended

  • Basic video card for 2008 Mac Pro?

    An old question, I suppose, but products change....
    The video card in my Early 2008 Mac Pro seems to be flaking out -- hardware crashes and the like.  I'm just using it as a server, and don't need a particularly high end (= expensive) replacement.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

    "PC cards flashed to Mac Firmware do not show a picture until Mac OS X is fully up and running, so debugging, alternate booting, running Utility DVD or Recovery HD are extremely difficult."
    Grant is right about many flashed cards. Specifically, flashed 5770 and 5870 cards show no EFI boot screens unless you hapen to use a VGA display connected via lower DVI port. Not very handy.
    Many flashed Nvidia cards DO show the boot screens and thus function like a card you bought from Apple store.
    There are now flashed GT120 cards available as well. You need to be certain that you are clear on whether your Mac Pro is EFI64 or EFI32. (Mac Pro 1,1 ad 2,1 are 32, all of the newer ones are EFI64)
    The EFI64 machines have a much better array of options. If you are unclear, it is always better to ask questions before rather than guess, especially if the ad you are looking at seems ambiguous.
    The screens before the desktop shows up are called the "Boot screens" typically and are there due to EFI drivers on card. From desktop on the OSX drivers take over.

  • I want an Apple Certified large capacity drive for 2008 Mac Pro

    I have a Mac Pro (early 2008) filled with all Apple Certified hard drives in it.
    I want to put the largest available Apple Certified hard disk drive into one of the bays.
    Apple won't sell me a drive. They say I have to bring in the computer and have their service people insert a new drive.
    So... They have the drives. They just insist that they... not I... do the replacement and charge me for the drive and installation.
    Three of the drives were replaced BY ME at various times since I bought the computer in 2008. They sold me those drives over the counter in my local Apple Store a few miles from my house.
    How can I duplicate that without losing custody of my computer for days while they put in the new drive?
    Suggestions:
    Can I take out ALL the drives, leave them home, and bring in the empty chassis to let them put the new drive?
    Can I take out one of the "shells" that hold drives, empty it of its current drive, then take them that shell and have them populate it?
    What are my options?

    Memory lane.... ? "Once upon a time, far and long ago... disk drives and controllers had to be closely mated and sourced..."
    SCSI drives and controllers, and later SAS, you could make an argument - maybe - and buying a set of drives, with extra spares for later when one of them failed.
    Enter stage right: DIY and CIP
    SATA drives are off the shelf. OEM does not matter in a system that does not use specialized hardware RAID
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    So then you can read up on StorageReview.com and others and see what the Leaderboard has to say as well as elsewhere as far as what storage devices.
    But no matter what, the same age old wisdom of having system  drive, data, scratch (for those large database sorts and such or editing in graphics and video), backup (so it is online). System = small and fast, 15K SCSI no longer being king, it is now PCIe-SSDs that offer 10x or more faster, and 0.01 nanoseconds delay in seeks and latency with large queue depth for multiple IO's. The ability to load and read lots of files at 1000MB/sec or faster is perfect for system, and writes of 900MB/sec and above don't hurt.
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    APPLE HAS NEVER UPDATED THE DRIVE COMPATIBILITY SPECS when new drives become available, leading people to mistakenly think or ask and wonder "can my Mac use drives larger than ______ (where 750GB was the largest capacity and was for some odd reason listed as such) instead of something like "SATA II and higher" Where SATA 3.1 (?) is the current version and is backward compatible.
    PCIe devices are often listed as "PCIe 2.x" or 3.0 and my Samsung XP941 with Lycom adapter is nice enough to list and state that while it is PCIe 3.0 compliant it also supports and backward compatible with PCIe 1.0 and above. It won't get the same bandwith/performance in PCIe 1.0 - 2.0 but it works perfectly.
    The firmware of controllers determine support, and sometimes though less and almost unheard of with standard "rotating spindle" disk drives (NAS and hardware RAID being the exception that makes the rule).
    SSD has changed and evolved faster than anything I have ever seen in computer technology and storage specifically. A year seems like a lifetime in evolution. And yet... my old 2006 (turns 9 in August) was discovered to fully support PCIe-SSD like the latest device in the nMP and the XP941. Amazing but I guess Intel knew something when it designed the SkullTrail systems and EFI 1.0 back in 2005. So the latest SSD tech is supported in a 1,1 (thru 5,1) running Leo or higher.
    There have been issues with the size and screw holes of 4-8TB drives (and yes you can use those too). And when Apple created Fusion drives for the iMac and had trouble with Windows Boot Camp the changes in formatting using Disk Utility turned into a Windows XP 32-bit problem formatting drives larger than 2.2TB in Mountain Lion 10.8.4 and above. I am still scratching my head over that one. Even as it was documented and confirmed. (And no it does not reflect on 3rd party or only with drives that are not labelled Apple OEM
    Others can probably make a shorter more succinct case without the long history and rambling my prose is given to as I wonder around in the cobwebs

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