PCI adaptor for 2019 Mac Pro
 

Hi,


I am looking for options for my audio drives in my mac pro 2019.
I may go for a Sonnet M2 4x4 card, but i am wondering, if i want to put only one drive on a PCI adaptor, except the OWC Accelsior, is there any adaptor that works well in the new mac pro? I am having problems finding the right one with the right specs (PCI 4 a must?).


Anyone willing to share their experiences?


Thanks!


Luc

Re: PCI adaptor for 2019 Mac Pro
 

The Mac Pro 2019 is PCIe 3.0, not 4.0, if that's what you are asking?

Re: PCI adaptor for 2019 Mac Pro
 

Yes and no!:D
Well, i tought the Mac Pro had PCI 4.0 slots, so you just put me on the right track!


I guess i mix up PCI 4.0 and PCI 4x.


So any PCI 3.0 adaptor should work fine?


Thanks!

Re: PCI adaptor for 2019 Mac Pro
 

Yes, PCIe 3.0, see below

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT210104

Re: PCI adaptor for 2019 Mac Pro
 

I won't recommend anything personally, but this is a common topic on the MacRumors forum, where there are lots of video guys who need massive storage, massive speed and considerable reliability. It's worth checking out, and bear in mind that using Catalina or Big Sur makes a difference, as the EFI firmware gets updated and that means the drive enclosures need updated software/firmware too.

Try these as a start:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...rsion.2232133/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...g-sur.2268207/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...speed.2298625/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...lades.2222397/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...osure.2218751/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...eltec.2219976/

Big Thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...c-pro.2189591/

My personal feeling with the two main players - OWC and Sonnet - is that Sonnet stuff is more reliable and better supported, but I don't have extensive experience.

Dominic

Re: PCI adaptor for 2019 Mac Pro
 

If you just need one drive then there are plenty of x4 cards that work fine. Basically they just wire the NVMe drive directly to the PCIe bus.

I use one of these with a new Mac Pro

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Computer-kr...ustomerReviews

It has good cooling built in, no need to add a heat sink.

I also have the Sonnet 4x4. It’s a no brainer, especially since the latest version is fanless.

The only other contender IMO is the OWC card but that is 8x so you’re not getting the full speed out of four NVMe drives.

I looked into other options but they all have downsides, like really difficult firmware upgrade procedures or very noisy fans. Cards like the Highpoint and Amfeltech. This may have changed in the year since I looked into this though.

Re: PCI adaptor for 2019 Mac Pro
 

Thanks!

Re: PCI adaptor for 2019 Mac Pro
 

Thanks for all that, i've got some reading to do!

Re: PCI adaptor for 2019 Mac Pro
 

Thanks Marsdy.

Yes, i think i will go with the Sonnet 4x4 in the future, but if i put a drive on a PCI card, does it need the heatsink?

Because if i put the heatsink with some gel on it, then, i wont be able to remove the drive(s) from the card(s) when i purchase the sonnet and want to move my drive(s) on the sonnet?

I wonder if the heatsink is really needed?
Did you put one in your system?

Thanks!

Re: PCI adaptor for 2019 Mac Pro
 

The card I linked to - the Aqua Computer kryoM.2 evo PCIe 3.0 x 4 has cooling/heatsinks built in and also comes with stick on thermal pads, not paste that are removable/reversible. It’s very solidly built. Unlike most other cards there are heat sinks on both sides of the NVMe drive.

I use it with a Samsung Evo which runs at the same temperature as the Samsungs on my Sonnet 4x4. Whenever I look, it’s the exact same temperature in iStat menus.

Ideally you do need cooling of some sort otherwise you risk the drive thermal throttling at best and at worst it failing.