Seagate Barracuda 3 TB HDD SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 7200 RPM 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST3000DM001

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Seagate Barracuda 3 TB HDD SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 7200 RPM 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST3000DM001

Hi,

I would like to add internal storage to my 8-core: 2X 2.66GHz Mac Pro early 2009. The computer has four 3.5-inch cable-free, direct-attach hard drive bays with built-in independent 3Gb/s Serial four internal hard drive carriers included. I have already 2 Hitachi HDE721010SLA330 Media SATA 1TB 3Gb/s, 7200 rpm, 32MB cache hard drive being installed. I am running out of storage space.

Is the Seagate Barracuda 3 TB HDD SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 7200 RPM 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST3000DM00, a compatible internal hard drive? I would like to install two of those, if possible, or any internal compatible with my Mac Pro.

Thank you

Mac Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), Macpro Early 2009

Posted on Apr 12, 2015 10:09 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Apr 12, 2015 4:16 PM in response to JFM from Canada

Yes, it is compatible.

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Answer 2

Apr 12, 2015 10:38 AM in response to Kappy

I use two of those as Server Backup Drives. They fit and work on the standard sleds without issue.

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There is an unresolved issue with the Disk Utility ERASE function for ANY Internal drives over 2.2TB, which was introduced in 10.8.4 and does not appear to have been fixed yet. Once ERASEd with 10.8.4 or later, the drive can no longer be further partitioned, modified, or re-ERASEd.

Work-arounds include:

• just avoid ERASE and go straight to PARTITION

• use an older Mac OS X or the 10.6.3 Installer/Utilities DVD to do the ERASE

• ERASE in an External Enclosure, provided it is modern enough to control drives over 2.2TB

There are also command-line tools that can be applied to recover. The procedure is a little complicated, but if you need them, just ask.

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Answer 3

Apr 12, 2015 2:37 PM in response to JFM from Canada

Thank you for good advice, Kappy.

I am planning to use one of the drives as storage for videos, the other as back-up for my main drive. Since I am a Parallel Desktup user, I guess some day, I'll need to move to a bigger drive.

So I will pay attention not to erase the drive!

Tx a lot, Grant,

Very much appreciated!

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Apr 12, 2015 3:33 PM in response to JFM from Canada

I would clone the 1TB drives to 2TB models, they look to be more than a few years.

Then I would isolate the system to a PCIe SATA III or better yet a PCIe-SSD (adapter) which are 2x what SATA III in performance.

This:

four 3.5-inch cable-free, direct-attach hard drive bays with built-in independent 3Gb/s Serial four internal hard drive carriers included.

They are not independent, does not matter, just Apple being Apple and inaccurate. All drives share a single common 800MB/sec controller and limited by that, and by SATA II to 250-275MB/sec max on any one (only an issue putting an SSD in one of the drive bays). They are not 'hot swap' and the cables for power and data are merely behind and yes plug into rather than having to attach directly to the drive.

People can have 4x6TB today if they want and sometimes will "short partition" in order to use part of the drive, the outer half tracks which will be faster as well.

But the 1TB drives may best be served as extra backups now and not your main system or data or even active backup (though fine for those monthly system backup clones).

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Answer 5

Apr 12, 2015 4:13 PM in response to The hatter

Hi The hatter,

Thank you for your advice.

Yes, the drives were already installed on the computer when I bought it. One of them is partitioned with Parralel Desktop. I moved from XP to Windows 7 2 weeks ago, installed the most recent Office suite, then extend the partition from 64G to 128G. I moved many files to exterior drives to get space on the hard drive.

I am not familiar with SSD on Mac Pro. « ...PCIe-SSD (adapter) which are 2x what SATA III in performance». Is this something like this SSD adapter you are referring to? http://www.sonnettech.com/product/tempossd.html

Also, I get 2 NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 install on the Mac Pro... I know, video cards from the Stone Age.

Something decent at an average price you recommend me? I currently have 16G (8 X 2GG 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC).

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