Additional HD for Mac Pro Slot 3

[mb300e]

I am considering adding a third HD to my Mac Pro 5,1. I am looking at a WESTERN DIGITAL BLACK SERIES WD4003FZEX 4TB. It will be used for storage of docs, pictures and video files some of which are be around 30GB or more in size. I can get one for about $200. It is 7200 RPM, 64MB Cache Sata 6.0Gb/s 3.5” and comes with a 5 year limited warranty. Does any member have an opinion on the use of WD Black Series drives installed in their Macs?

I have had good luck with WD drives and I cannot remember a time in decades when one has failed. I hope I did not just jinx one of them. I have retired a few smaller ones due solely to size limitations.

Up to this point, I have been keeping the bulk of my files (not currently needed) on external HDs, but when I need to edit them they can seem to take forever to copy back to my second internal HD. With the third internal HD installed, the external drives will be used for backup purposes.

Thanks in advance,

Peter B.

 

[pigoo3]

I am considering adding a third HD to my Mac Pro 5,1. I am looking at a WESTERN DIGITAL BLACK SERIES WD4003FZEX 4TB. It will be used for storage of docs, pictures and video files some of which are be around 30GB or more in size. I can get one for about $200. It is 7200 RPM, 64MB Cache Sata 6.0Gb/s 3.5” and comes with a 5 year limited warranty. Does any member have an opinion on the use of WD Black Series drives installed in their Macs?

Go for it! WD drives are fine. And the "black" version is better quality.

- Nick

 

[mb300e]

Go for it! WD drives are fine. And the "black" version is better quality.

- Nick

Thanks Nick, I will pull the trigger today on this.

When I physically install it and light off the Mac Pro, will the Mac ask me if I want to format it for the Mac or do I do this manually, for want of a better term?

I am a recent migrant to Macs, but still use my Windows machines and will continue to do so for quite a while...lots of cash invested. When they reach end of life I will most likely not replace them with Windows machines. Unless there is a really compelling reason to do so.

Peter B.

 

[pigoo3]

When I physically install it and light off the Mac Pro, will the Mac ask me if I want to format it for the Mac or do I do this manually, for want of a better term?

The Mac OS should ask you about the formatting of the new HD the first time you boot the computer after the HD install. If it doesn't…just use Disk Utility to format it (Mac OS Extended Journaled).

- Nick

 

[mb300e]

The Mac OS should ask you about the formatting of the new HD the first time you boot the computer after the HD install. If it doesn't…just use Disk Utility to format it (Mac OS Extended Journaled).

- Nick

Thanks Nick,

I should have known it would be easy, unlike Windows in many cases. Any time I need a file or two back on a Windows machine, I can just copy them.

I pulled the trigger just now on the drive, got 2 year data recovery with it in addition to the 5 year warranty.

Peter B.

 

[pigoo3]

Good deal & good luck!

- Nick

 

[mb300e]

Good deal & good luck!

- Nick

Thanks Nick,

I will let you know how I make out. The drive should be here early next week.

Peter B.