Adding an eSATA port to the Early '09 Mac Pro.

[joshbulldog1661]

2 ?s 1 did connecter b do anything b4? 2 why not a pci e to esata card

[OWCmacsales]

@joshbulldog1661 Yes, the 'B' cable supplies SATA to the second optical bay - but if you're not using it, this is a very cost-effective way of adding eSATA to your Mac Pro. PCIe cards can generally be used as well.

[macprorocks]

Why would you not just buy a PCI-E eSATA card? 

[PuppiesandBoobs]

Hi - did you ever post the video tutorial for the 2006 Mac Pro ?

[OWCmacsales]

@PuppiesandBoobs We certainly did. It can be found under our channel as "How To Install the Newer Technology eSATA Extender Cable into a pre-2008 Mac Pro"

[wolferean1production]

so what does that sata cable you remove do, is it for the extra optical drive slot or somthing

[OWCmacsales]

@wolferean1production Yes, the 'B' cable supplies SATA to the 2nd optical drive bay.

[honduhchicken]

Great video, except the music and the narrators speaking style, he sounds a bit cheesy. He shouldn't have spoke more naturally and less "soft and soothing".

[bobazhar69]

the sata extender is about to arrive in the next hour. Do u have any video on installing on a 2006 MacPro?

[OWCmacsales]

Currently we do not have a video completed, but filming has started and we should be getting one posted soon. The extender does come with full color installation instructions for your model of Mac Pro. This video was created to show the difference from the printed instructions when installing into the early '09 version of the Mac Pro.

[bobazhar69]

The installation instruction is superb. I got it all out in less than 15 minutes. It is not as difficult as I thought. And putting it back is a simple process. The only thing a hassle is I got a decklink card on slot 1. Everything under 30 minutes. Got the Voyager USB/Sata. USB won't mount the drives but the Sata connection solved the issue.

Anyway thanks. I hope u have the video soon, it is still not an easy task for first timers.

[Nadav34]

How do I install sata optical drives in place of the PATA ones on my 2008 mac pro? I only have skinny red cables, but where do I get the actual cables to hook it to sata? Also please note: I just installed the AHCI driver for windows 7, so my sata opticals will be recognized in windows.

[Lutherglukie]

do Powermac G5 have this connection

[OWCmacsales]

No, the PowerMac G5 uses an IDE/ATA connector for the optical drives. In order to use eSATA on one of those systems, you would need to add an eSATA controller card.

[Lutherglukie]

Where can i get this controller card?

[OWCmacsales]

There is a link to the adapter in the "more info" section of this video page.

[BigHornCanyon]

huh?

[roger767]

do older mac pros have this sata port on the motherboard?

[OWCmacsales]

The earlier Mac Pro's actually came with two additional, unused SATA ports on the motherboard and is what this product was originally designed for.

[kedwilkins]

well adrian dude; u no doubt do have one.

thanx mac sales

[adriandude85]

this sounds gay

[OWCmacsales]

Part of the reason was aesthetics to keep red cable clean and tidy to the design. The other, and more importantly, is that depending on additional expansion cards being installed, there may not be enough length to go around the fan and any additional cards.

[patrickmdryan]

Why not run the red cable around the fan? There is room for it to go around, not behind - without having to remove fan and run the cable along the mother board. Or do you really think the red cable will interfere with the fans ability to draw in air?