[geeks] Replacing a Mac Pro 2006

[Joshua Boyd]

On 12/1/2012 10:44 AM, Mark Benson wrote:
> Apart from the lack of discreet graphics (slinging in 16GB of RAM ought to
> solve that in part) is there anything else that should be considered a hangup?
> I'd probably run an SSD inboard on the machine to mitigate the 2.5" hard drive
> issue.
>
> So I know the Mac Mini is way faster brains-wise. What I can't really cope
> with however is the loss of storage bays. I have a SSD + 4 drives (2 RAID1
> pairs) int he 'Pro.  I'd like to use the Thunderbolt Bus to run my storage
> instead... but everyone is selling enclosures WITH drives. I've already GOT
> the drives (2 are new, 2 are a year an a half old, all are SATA 600MBit and
> very quiet).
You can actually stick two drives in a Mini.  The second drive requires 
a bracket piece that you can look up and order from an Apple Service 
center, or you can find on OWC.

> Does anyone know of a 2 drive or 4 drive box with no drives for Thunderbolt?
> Preferably from a UK seller but not essential?
>


You could just use USB3, which I suspect should get you about 250MB/s.

If that isn't fast enough, for GPB 153 you can get a Lacie TB -> 2x 
eSATA adapter:
http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?id=10574
and pair that with the eSATA array(s) of your choice.