PCI Expansion Enclosures

Discussion in 'CPU & GPU' started by Paul Schneider, Mar 7, 2013.

  1. Paul Schneider

    Message Count:
    22
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I've got an early 2009 Mac Pro (dual 2.93) and I'm out of space.

    Now, as Juan has told me at least once. I shouldn't go throwing good money at bad, but I'm interested in finding the least expensive, but usable, PCI expansion enclosure I can for things like Esata cards, etc.

    Basically I think I'd like to free up some space internally for a raided SSD Cache Card.

    I'd also like the enclosure to have some legs as it may want to move over to my next (probably PC) system later in the year.

    I know very little about these. Obviously thunderbolt isn't an option for me at the moment. The Startech version seems the base. Cubix is WAY to much for my needs. What are that other options and if the Startech isn't the right direction please say so.

    Thanks.

    Paul
    Paul Schneider, Mar 7, 2013
    #1

  2. Pepijn Klijs

    Message Count:
    160
    Netstor maybe?
    Pepijn Klijs, Mar 7, 2013
    #2

  3. Jason Myres Moderator

    Message Count:
    1,014
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Jason Myres, Mar 7, 2013
    #3

  4. Marc R Leonard

    Message Count:
    87
    Location:
    The Wild West!
    Marc R Leonard, Mar 7, 2013
    #4

  5. Todd Gill

    Message Count:
    12
    Jason, I saw this post earlier this week. I take it you are quite happy with the Nestor 211A. I'm looking at possibly getting a gpu expander box. What card configuration do you have? What do you recommend gpu-wise for Resolve. I currently have a Quadro4000 in my MacPro. Also, Do the fans run fairly loud?

    Thanks,
    Todd Gill, Mar 14, 2013
    #5

  6. Jason Myres Moderator

    Message Count:
    1,014
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    The NetStor is great, but if you want to put GPUs in your expander get a Cubix Desktop 2 or 4. I am taking the opposite approach in that I have my GPUs in my Mac Pro and low-bandwidth PCI-e cards in the NetStor.

    My card configuration is detailed here...
    http://liftgammagain.com/forum/index.php?threads/gtx-690-gt-640-in-a-mac-pro.988/

    But basically look like this:

    Slot 1: GTX690
    Slot 2: GT640
    Slot 3: NetStor PCI-e HBA
    Slot 4: Atto RAID Controller

    NetStor
    Slot 1: Esata Card
    Slot 2: Decklink
    Slot 3: Empty (formerly RED Rocket)

    The NetStor has been very good. I like it because it's quiet, reliable, looks good, and didn't cost much. There is also the benefit that if you put hotter cards in it like a RED Rocket, they will run quieter too, whereas in your Mac Pro they will spin up both the fans of the card and of your Mac, which for me wasn't much fun to sit next to. The NetStor cured all of that though in one shot.
    Jason Myres, Mar 14, 2013
    #6

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