Upgrading to SSD

Hi,
I own a Macbook Pro early 2011 15" and been doing some research on SSD. Is this Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB compatable? Thanks in advance for your help.
P.S. I use my macbook pro for animation and design use.

Yes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui-eQuROHBk

Similar Messages

  • If HP Pavillion dv6 Notebook PC can be upgraded to SSD ( Solid State Drive )

    I have HP Pavillion dv6 Quad Edition Notebook PC
    Product Number: LM720AV
    I have 750GB 7200RPM HDD installed and wanted to upgrade to SSD.
    My Questions are:
    1: If it possible to upgrade to SSD on this Laptop.
    2: If I can upgrade to High resolution display on this?
    for detailed specs see attached Image

    Hi,
    I can't see the image, probably the Adminitrator has not approved it. Anyway dv6 is a series of dozens if not hundreds of diferent models, what is yours ? Normally it is possible for BOTH options:
    1. Please check the following videos:
        www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQx7PlIXFuE
        www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P8eCA7u5Ec
    2. This is a list of FHD screens supported:
    15.6-in, full high-definition (FHD), light-emitting diode (LED), AntiGlare display assembly in dark umber finish
    654103-001
    15.6-in, FHD, LED, AntiGlare display assembly in steel gray finish 654110-001
    15.6-in, HD, LED, BrightView display assembly
    In butter gold finish 641482-001
    In dark umber finish 640431-001
    In espresso black finish 640430-001
    In linen white finish 640433-001
    In Pacific blue finish 641479-001
    In pearl pink finish 641481-001
    In ruby red finish 640434-001
    Regards.
    BH
    **Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
    Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

  • Upgrading to SSD system drive

    Have run windows 7 (64bit) for 2 years with no problems.
    HDD running out of space and decided to upgrade to SSD drive with larger volume.
    Backed up drive using ghost 15, formatted SSD with required partitions (Including hidden drive with boot-manager), shut down system.       Disconnected HDD and started computer with Ghost 15 recovery disc then reinstalled system
    discs to SSD.
    On setting SSD to active boot drive removed recovery disc and booted to SSD, windows starts, goes into log on page, type in log on data, system says "setting up desktop", runs for 90 seconds and comes up with blue screen with "This copy
    of Windows is illegal" in bottom corner.    Dosn't matter what I try to do cannot progress from here.
    My windows 7 IS legal can't understand why this message.
    Any suggestion how to rectify the problem without having to reload windows from original with all problems of reinstalling 2 years of large programs.
    HELP ! ! !

    This may happen. If you google this problem, there is a lot of examples
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2008385/en
    http://blog.getspool.com/194/fix-windows-7-not-genuine-error/
    http://www.thewindowsclub.com/this-copy-of-windows-is-not-genuine
    If nothing helps, call MS activation center.
    Rgds
    Milos

  • Mackbook pro upgrade my SSD?

    How long will i need to leave my macbook pro with genius counter to upgrad my SSD?

    It depends.  Are they replacing your HD with an SSD? That can be done in minutes, but they will need to transfer your data to the new SSD, yes? That could take hours.  My advice would be to ask them.

  • HI PLZ HELP I WANT TO UPGRADE TO SSD I ODNT KNOW WHETHER MY BOARD AND CPU SUPPORTS

    HI PLZ HELP I WANT TO UPGRADE TO SSD I ODNT KNOW WHETHER MY BOARD AND CPU SUPPORTS
    COMP
    Compaq Presario CQ42-372TU Notebook
    http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/kb/docDisplay/?javax.portlet.begCac=...
    PLZ ANY BODY HELP MEEEEEEEE
    This question was solved.
    View Solution.

    You can upgrade to an SSD.
    The simplest method is to use an SSD like the Corsair Force 3 and be sure that you purchase the migration kit.
    The migration kit comes with cloning software and a usb to SATA/power cable that connects to the new SSD. 
    It is recommended that you purchase and SSD that is about 256 GB in capacity if you can find one that is affordable.
    SSD with migration kit options in a search that I did.
    ****Please click on Accept As Solution if a suggestion solves your problem. It helps others facing the same problem to find a solution easily****
    2015 Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience Consumer

  • Mini Notebook NB305-N600 Upgrade to SSD

    I have the Toshiba Netbook NB305-N600 and would like to upgrade into SSD.  I have an OCZ Vertex 3 that requires an SATA-3 interface.  Is the N305-N600 SATA3 compatible?

    Hi, RudyA.
    Thanks for the information. However, I thought you wanted a SATA III compatible interface for your SSD. Nevertheless, I am glad to know you are satisfied with the situation and that you will download the backup to a CD/DVD. Even so, you can buy a Toshiba recovery flashdrive for Windows 7 for your NB305. I have used it and it works well. I contracted a virus around Christmas time last year that required me to reinstall the system. I experienced all the common symptoms others have  because the netbook did not recognize the flashdrive. I had to change the BIOS bootup setting then use the Toshiba Hardware Assist Manager to add the bootup from a flashdrive feature. It took several times before it recognized it and this puzzled the Toshiba technician too. Anyway, thanks for keeping me in your loop.
    Regards,
    Bi-Ill
    Good luck!
    Sincerely,
    Bill5960

  • If i upgrade my ssd on my macbook air do it void my apple care ?

    If i upgrade my ssd on my macbook air do it void my apple care ?

    Possibly...maybe... Apple does not definitely say.
    They do indicate that the component is not user servicable.
    This would tend to indicate that they would have discretion as to whether or not you violated the terms of coverage for a future claim when you serviced a non-servicable component.

  • Re: Instructions for opening a Satellite Z930 and upgrading the SSD

    Hi guys,
    Just wondering if there is a service manual that would show me, or if anyone knows from experience, how to open a Satellite Z930 and upgrade the SSD. I know this will void my warranty but I don't care; Toshiba MobileCare won't have anything to do with it and I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for something I could do myself if I just knew how to remove the back cover!
    I've removed all the bottom screws but the cover still won't come off...it seems to be stuck at the back-left corner. I'm guessing there's another screw under the keyboard or something...any help would be very much appreciated! :)

    > {quote:title=Macius wrote:}{quote}
    > Have you removed all 14 screws at the bottom cover?
    Ah-hah! Now we're finally getting somewhere! All I can see is 13 screws...so where the heck is the 14th?! Please see [this photo|http://dl.dropbox.com/u/64884336/screws.jpg] to see what I mean :-)
    > {quote:title=Macius wrote:}{quote}
    > Be gently with the cover. Small mistake and some plastic holder can be broken.
    That's why I'm asking you guys for a service manual or instructions LOL...I've modded many laptops before without really knowing anything about them, but just following instructions from those that do. It's not really rocket science; you just need to know where the screws are and in which order to take things apart!
    However, when I removed the 13 screws that I could see on the bottom of my Z930, the cover came off easily in all areas except the back-left corner, so that's why I came on here as I know how delicate these things are and don't want to wreck it, especially since I'll have a voided warranty afterwards LOL! :P

  • Not maximum size after upgrading the SSD on GT70 2PE Dominator

    I have a GT70 2PE Dominator Pro.
    i upgraded the SSD to increase the size to be able to install more games.
    I removed the two SSD (128g each under raid 0) and replaced with one Samsung EVO series 500g SSD.
    But after running the recovery DVD on the new SSD, the program split the new SSD into two partitions.
    one partition has 270g (OS install ) and the other 180g (data).
    How do i recover the system with the new SSD (500g) with only one partition? so that i could have bigger space on drive C:

    Hi emorterajr,
    There might be a way to use your Recovery DVD so that it allows you to control the partitioning of your new SSD. But I'm not familiar with it. It would be helpful to know how your SSD was partitioned to begin with. It might have been partitioned into those partitions from the factory. If it was, then you simply need to re-partition it like you want before using the Recovery DVD.
    It is also possible to eliminate your 180 GB partition, then expand your 270 GB partition into that area and thereby make your "C" drive as big as possible. You'll need to obtain partitioning software that will do that. There used to be several programs available years ago for that purpose but I'm not sure what is available now. The trick is to grow your 270 GB partition without erasing it---many partitioning programs would erase your 270 GB partition if you resize it. But it can be done without losing anything---you just have to get the right software.
    About capacity, the advertised size of an SSD or HD is almost always its unformatted capacity. Once the drive has been partitioned and formatted, the usable capacity is always less. Plus, if you are savvy and wise you'll understand about "wear leveling" which is used by SSDs to distribute use evenly across the entire storage area in order to prevent premature failure. This "wear leveling" works best if you leave a portion of your SSD unallocated. You'll read different advice around the internet about this. Some say to leave 5% unallocated. Others claim you need to leave 20% unallocated. I use 10%. What this means is that you'll only partition a total of 90% of the available capacity of your SSD and leave the remaining 10% unpartitioned. Obviously, this further reduces the available storage capacity.
    Leaving part of our SSD unallocated is not essential---your SSD will operate okay even if its full capacity is allocated. But this technique will help you get the best life from your SSD and it will help it to maintain its read/write performance over that lifespan.
    Kind regards, David

  • After I upgraded to Yosemite iphoto can't recognize my backup CDs which were created in iLife09. Ihave the original applications install disk and my old hard drive(I upgraded  to SSD). How do I get a n iphoto back to read by old CDs?

    After I upgraded to Yosemite,iPhoto can't recognize my backup CDs created in iLife 09. The applications install disk won't install iphoto because iphoto 9.5 is already installed..I updated to a SSD and have the original Hard Drive with an updated iphoto which recognized the older CDs(thanks to iphoto expander). I thought that the iphoto that transferred with the new hard drive was the same as what was on the old one. I guess it wasn't. I really need to access my backups.   HELP

    Later version of iPhoto write to the library on opening, and so cannot open libraries on optical media, as that cannot be written to. Further, optical media is going e way of the floppy disk. Therefore, you need to use a different form of archiving and back up going forward.
    To allow iPhoto to open these libraries you need to copy them to your Mac or an attached external disk.
    To merge them into an existing Library will require that you use either Aperture (if you have it) or iPhoto Library Manager.

  • 13" MBP 5,5 (mid-2009, EFI 1.7) - Looking to upgrade to SSD - what's compatible?

    Hey everyone!
    So I'm looking to breathe a little more life into my 13" Macbook Pro 5,5 (mid-2009) by upgrading to an SSD (I'm already on 8GB of RAM)
    I've been trying to research what make/model to go with, but with the well known and well documented issues with replacing the hard drives on the MBP 5,5 on EFI 1.7 (i.e. beach balling, freezing, hang-ups, etc...) I'm wondering if there's actually an SSD available that'll work with the system?
    Has anyone with an MBP 5,5 upgraded to an SSD and are running Mountain Lion or higher (OSX 10.8+)?
    What make and model drive has worked for you?
    Thanks for the support!

    While I've heard great things about OWC - the key to my dilemma is the fact that I've got a MBP 5,5 (mid-2009).
    This MBP is known to have issues with "non-Apple" drives once you go to EFI 1.7 that communicate with SATA II or higher.
    The belief is largely related to EFI 1.7 enabling SATA II (3.0Gb/s) speeds on the nVidia chipset, which seems to cause the above issues on any drives that try to use SATA II speeds. The issues seemingly disappear on "non-Apple" drives that can be forced to SATA I speeds (1.5Gb/s) like some of the standard Hitachi drives.
    I've experienced these issues first hand on both WD Blue and Black drives, and I was eventually forced to go with a Hitachi drive that could be set to communicate using SATA I with a utility provided by Hitachi.
    Given that just about all SSDs available now are using SATA III (6 Gb/s) - hopefully you can see my concerns!
    It's unfortunate that Apple has refused to acknowledge this issue, which could likely have been fixed with another EFI update many years back.

  • Mid 2009 13 inch Macbook Pro HD upgrade to SSD - compatible drives

    Hi -
    Just wanted to make sure that this will be compatible with my mid 2009 macbook pro 13 inch.
    Intel 530 SERIES 480gb 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive
    http://www.amazon.com/Intel-SERIES-2-5-Inch-Reseller-SSDSC2BW480A4K5/dp/B00GV7V6 EA
    I'm overdue for an overhaul... need to upgrade from the original 2gb of ram also... I barely touch the macbook because it's like wading through a foot of mud.
    Thanks for your help!

    Yes, it is supposed to be compatible. While  you have the computer apart to install the SSD I would also install more RAM:
    Maximum Memory
    8.0 GB
    Memory Slots
    2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM
    I would go for the 8 GBs. You may wish to check with OWC to see if it will support 16 GBs.
    After you complete the work upgrade OS X from Lion to either Mountain Lion or Mavericks. The later is free from the App Store, but you will have to install Snow Leopard 10.6.x on the SSD first. Then download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

  • Upgrade to SSD??

    Hi.
    I was thinking about upgrading my computer as its running pretty slow at the moment but can’t really afford to buy a new one so it has been suggested to me by NextByte store to install a new SSD which should solve all of my performance issues. I’m not a computer guru so I’d love some advice.  My computer is a MacBook pro mid 2009 edition so it’s starting to get on a bit. I’ve been quoted a figure of around $350-$500 but probably closer to $350 to have this installed in the store, including SSD.  I only really use a computer to surf net, store photos, videos, music etc so I just need it a bit quicker and some more space on the hard drive.
    A. Am I getting ripped off?
    B. Can I do this myself? I will be in the company of a computer guru over Christmas period and he will assist me to install it.  But is it something I should let the pro’s do?
    C. Where do I buy a SSD from? What brand? I have heard Crucial??
    D. Will it solve my problems?
    E. Also, on my computer which I don’t currently use because it has a Geneo (?) virus/trojan or something – what should I do with that before I transfer all the data to an external hard drive?  I’m assuming if I back it up to an external hard drive the virus or Trojan will infect the hard drive???
    D. Should I install a new battery or anything else whilst its pulled apart?
    Any advice would be much appreciated – thanks in advance.

    Hi and thanks for your advice. Also just a note I definitely need a bigger hard drive than the 160gb as i have out grown this.  It looks like I have a lot of "crap" on my computer
    EtreCheck version: 2.1.2 (105)
    Report generated 29 October 2014 2:38:39 pm AEDT
    Hardware Information: ℹ️
      MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) (Verified)
      MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro5,5
      1 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core
      2 GB RAM Upgradeable
      BANK 0/DIMM0
      1 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
      BANK 1/DIMM0
      1 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
      Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
      Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
    Video Information: ℹ️
      NVIDIA GeForce 9400M - VRAM: 256 MB
      Color LCD 1280 x 800
    System Software: ℹ️
      OS X 10.10 (14A389) - Uptime: one day 15:51:12
    Disk Information: ℹ️
      Hitachi HTS545016B9SA02 disk0 : (160.04 GB)
      S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
      EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
      Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 159.18 GB (32.61 GB free)
      Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB
      MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-868
    USB Information: ℹ️
      Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
      Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
      Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
      Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
      Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub
      Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
    Gatekeeper: ℹ️
      Mac App Store and identified developers
    Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
      /Library/Extensions
      [loaded] com.sophos.kext.sav (9.2.50 - SDK 10.8) [Support]
      [loaded] com.sophos.nke.swi (9.2.50 - SDK 10.8) [Support]
      /System/Library/Extensions
      [not loaded] net.Thomson.iokit.USBLAN_usbpart (1.6.0) [Support]
    Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️
      [failed] com.apple.AirPlayUIAgent.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.CallHistoryPluginHelper.plist
      [failed] com.apple.CallHistorySyncHelper.plist
      [failed] com.apple.cloudd.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.coreservices.appleid.authentication.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.EscrowSecurityAlert.plist
      [failed] com.apple.icloud.fmfd.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.nsurlsessiond.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.pluginkit.pkd.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.sbd.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.secd.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.security.cloudkeychainproxy.plist
      [failed] com.apple.spindump_agent.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.telephonyutilities.callservicesd.plist [Details]
    Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️
      [failed] com.apple.AssetCacheLocatorService.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.awdd.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.ctkd.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.diagnosticd.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.ifdreader.plist
      [failed] com.apple.nehelper.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.nsurlsessiond.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.periodic-daily.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.softwareupdate_download_service.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.softwareupdated.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.spindump.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.tccd.system.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.wdhelper.plist [Details]
      [failed] com.apple.xpc.smd.plist [Details]
      [failed] org.cups.cupsd.plist [Details]
    Launch Agents: ℹ️
      [running] com.Affinegy.InstaLANa.plist [Support]
      [loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]
      [running] com.sophos.uiserver.plist [Support]
    Launch Daemons: ℹ️
      [loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]
      [loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Support]
      [running] com.sophos.common.servicemanager.plist [Support]
    User Launch Agents: ℹ️
      [loaded] com.divx.agent.postinstall.plist [Support]
      [running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Support]
    User Login Items: ℹ️
      GrowlMenu Application (/Library/PreferencePanes/Growl.prefPane/Contents/Resources/GrowlMenu.app)
      iTunesHelper UNKNOWNHidden (missing value)
      laciebackupd Application (/Library/Application Support/LaCie/LaCie Backup/laciebackupd.app)
      Belkin Router Monitor Application (/Applications/Belkin/Belkin Router Monitor.app)
      Spotify Application (/Applications/Spotify.app)
      RealPlayer Downloader Agent Application (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/RealNetworks/RealPlayer Downloader Agent.app)
    Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
      FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 15.0.0.246 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
      Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10
      Flash Player: Version: 15.0.0.246 - SDK 10.6 Mismatch! Adobe recommends 16.0.0.235
      OVSHelper: Version: 1.1 [Support]
      DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 2.2 [Support]
      o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.4.2.18903 [Support]
      QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
      googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.4.2.18903 [Support]
      Silverlight: Version: 4.0.50524.0 [Support]
      iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0
    User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
      RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown [Support]
    Safari Extensions: ℹ️
      DivX Plus Web Player HTML5 <video>
    3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
      DivX  [Support]
      Flash Player  [Support]
      Growl  [Support]
    Time Machine: ℹ️
      Time Machine not configured!
    Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
          14% SophosAVAgent
          12% WindowServer
          2% SophosUIServer
          1% Activity Monitor
          1% Sophos Anti-Virus
    Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
      60 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent
      56 MB SophosAVAgent
      39 MB InterCheck
      39 MB WindowServer
      30 MB Finder
    Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
      55 MB Free RAM
      423 MB Active RAM
      368 MB Inactive RAM
      362 MB Wired RAM
      26.28 GB Page-ins
      1.26 GB Page-outs
    Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
      Oct 27, 2014, 08:15:51 AM rpcsvchost_2014-10-27-081551_[redacted].cpu_resource.diag [Details]
      Oct 27, 2014, 10:48:12 PM Self test - passed
      Oct 27, 2014, 10:21:40 PM com.apple.WebKit.Plugin.64_2014-10-27-22...crash
      Oct 29, 2014, 02:03:05 PM Microsoft Word_2014-10-29-140305_[redacted].hang
      Oct 27, 2014, 10:31:49 PM SophosAVAgent_2014-10-27-223149_[redacted].crash
      Oct 27, 2014, 10:19:26 PM SophosSXLD_2014-10-27-221926_[redacted].cpu_resource.diag [Details]

  • Buy a MacBook pro with SSD or upgrade to SSD?

    Hey guys! Hope you can help me out with this one!
    I have just purchased a MacBook Pro 13" with i7 2.9 GHz processor, 8 GB ram and a 750 GB 5400 rpm HDD.
    The simple reason that I bought it with a HDD and not a SSD is that I could not afford the SSD.
    Now after searching the web I have come across a huge amount of videos and threads on various Apple forums talking about how easy it is to upgrade your MacBook Pro to have a SSD instead of a HDD. I have also researched the cost of such an upgrade and it seems incredibly cheap compared to buying a MBP with a SSD already installed.
    How is this possible? To me it seems to good to be true that it is cheaper to upgrade your computer with a SSD than buying a computer with a SSD already installed?! Does such an upgrade come with a lot of downsides? Or is it really true that you can save yourself money by doing the upgrade yourself after purchasing the computer?
    Thanks a lot!

    Because Apple gouges its customers on any upgraded from Standard, Stock, configurations.
    No real downsides except that you mi=ust Enable TRIM support yourself once you install an afermarket SSD. If Apple installs one, Branded as an Apple SSD, then TRIM is Auto Enabled, Go figure.
    The next, and only other, downside is you will lose some storage capacity as a SSD of 750GBs, or even close to 750GBs, will cost you lots of money. So most people install 256GB models which in your case would drop the total internal drive capacity by 500GBs+/-.

  • Portege R30 won't boot from SSD after upgrade to SSD and HDD under CSM mode

    Hi 
    I upgraded my Portege R30-ASMBN22 to SSD (Crucial M550) and replace the optical drive by the original HDD with caddy.
    In order to install Windows 7, I change the BIOS to CSM mode. But now the system won't boot automatically from the SSD. It only boot from HDD which is in the ODD spot.
    I could press F12 while turning on my laptop, and bring up the boot manual. Here I can see my SSD and I can boot from it correctly. However, if I don't press F12 when it starts. It will always try to boot from HDD.
    In the boot order in the BIOS, I only see HDD/SSD, USB Memory, ODD .... It doesn't give me the option to choose between SSD and HDD. Is there any other way to change the boot order among HDD and SSD?
    Thanks,
    Louis

    Hi,
    I did the same operation to my Portege R30-A-17C, and have the same problem, is there any way to boot without pushing F12 every time.
    Thanks,
    Pablo

  • Advice on upgrading to SSD for Mac Pro (optimized for AfterEffects & Photoshop)

    Hello,
    I'm an animator (I use AfterEffects CS5, but will be upgrading to CC soon) and I'm going to start work on a new AE project in a few months for an animated film that will be very demanding (lots of different shots -- meaning multiple projects, all of which will also incorporate large HD stock footage elements as well as multiple layers of art created in Photoshop).
    So I'm looking to upgrade my current desktop Mac Pro (a 2010 2x2.66GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon) with SSD drives (and possibly a new graphics card) in order to speed up my system and optimize it for both AfterEffects and Photoshop. (In the past I've created projects using external 7200 RPM hard drives connected via eSATA). I've also decided, for now, not to purchase the new Mac Pro, but rather try and make a smaller investment to speed up my current system.
    I'd love any advice that pro users would have that have made similiar upgrades, both in terms of the best equipment (SSD drives and graphics card) and the best way to set up AfterEffects/Photoshop projects using these SSDs.
    For example:
    1. Should I be purchasing 1 or 2 SSDs, and how should I be using these drives to optimize my system for AfterEffects and Photoshop?
    2. Should I install my operating system (I'm on OS 10.8.5 but plan to upgrade to Mavericks when I upgrade to CC) on one separate SSD, and then install my Adobe applications on a 2nd SSD, or can I put both the operating system and applications on a single SSD? And should I be saving my projects on a SSD (if so, which one, if I'm supposed to purchase 2?
    3. Should I assign a 2nd SSD as a scratch disk for AfterEffects or Photoshop?
    4. I plan on using my current external hard drives (a 12 TB RAID array connected via eSATA) to store the footage and Photoshop elements being used in my AE projects (these files will be multiple GBs, and I can't afford to purchase SSD drives to hold these elements on) and also to store the renders from AfterEffects (which will also be very large files). Is this OK, or will this slow me down and negate whatever speed I've gained from moving to SSDs?
    5. In researching how to switch over to SSD, I've considered purchasing 1 or 2 SSD drives. The one I'm currently looking at is called the Murcury Accelsior_E2, a PCI Express SSD sold via OWC. It comes in a few different sizes (120 GBs, 240 GBs, 480 GBs, 960 GBs). Just wondering if this is a good purchase -- the reviews seem to be very positive:
    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDPHWE2R960/
    6. I'm also considering upgrading my current graphics card (ATI Radeon HD 5870) to the NVIDIA Quatro 4000 or NVIDIA Quatro 5000, but I'm wondering how much of a speed boost this would give me.
    Here's an overview of my current system:
    Computer: 2010 Mac Pro with 2x 2.66 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon
    Memory: 64 GB DDR3 ECC
    Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 5870
    Hard Drives (Internal): 2x 2TB Hitachi HD
    Hard Drives (External): 12TB OWC Mercury Elite Pro RAID drive array (connected via eSATA)
    Apologies in advance for the long message, but I've always recieved great advice from these message boards and I'd appreciate any help!
    Thanks,
    Dan

    Thanks so much for jumping back into the discussion, The hatter! I had some earlier questions from before that I was hoping you could answer:
    Currently I own a 12 TB OWC Mercury Elite Pro RAID drive array (connected via eSATA) which I use to save projects, project files, and renders. So (unless I am mistaken) you're recommending that I continue to use this RAID array to save projects, project files, and renders.
    (I was looking into purchasing a Mercury Accelsior_E2 for my SSD via PCI -- it has eSATA, so I can continue to connect my RAID array)
    Then I would use my new SSD via SATA II for my system, apps, and OS (minus home folder media files, data, documents) and my SSD via PCI for scratch disks for Photoshop/AfterEffects.
    Currently I have 2 x 2 TB internal hard drives, which have all my OS + home folder media files.
    Can I get more details in terms of the step-by-step instructions when it's time to install/clone? Here's how it looks to me (apologies if I have this out-of-order, and feel free to correct me if I've missed a step or have it wrong -- thank you in advance!):
    1. Purchase SSDs (via PCI and internal SATA II) and install them inside my Mac Pro.
    (Is there any formatting I need to do at this point to the SSDs once they are all plugged in...?)
    2. Install TRIM Enabler
    (Once it's installed, what do I do with TRIM Enabler? Is it an app that runs 24/7 in the background, or is it an app that I need to launch on a regular basis and perform commands on the SSDs...? Very confused on what TRIM Enabler does.)
    3. Use CCC to clone system from old internal hard drive to new internal SSD drive. When using CCC, deselect media folders in home account before cloning (so I am NOT cloning media folders from old hard drive to new SSD drive).
    (What specific media folders should I be deselecting? I'd like to keep my music, movies, iPhoto/Lightroom files, and email archive where they are now -- on the 2 x 2TB internal drives that shipped with my Mac Pro. Is there a link that provides more info on this process? Never used CCC before but I assume it's not too hard to use...?)
    4. CCC clones system gets 'cloned' (minus the media folders) to the SSD that is installed via SATA II in empty internal drive bay inside Mac Pro.
    5. Repair the SSD with DU after cloning and before using and booting from SSD.
    (What is DU? How does it work? Not familiar with DU...?)
    6. Reboot computer from system running on SSD.
    7. Open Photoshop/AfterEffects (now running from SSD) and assign new scratch disk (the SSDs on PCIe SSD controller).
    8. After 100% sure that system + apps that have been cloned is working via SSD, delete ONLY system and apps from old hard drive (but do not delete media files).
    (Now that my system is on a separate SSD drive, when I do things like purchase new music from iTunes, will it get downloaded to the old location (my old hard drive with all my media)? In other words, are there steps I have to perform in order to relink my media folders now that they're on a separate drive?
    Thanks,
    Dan

Maybe you are looking for