HGST Travelstar 2.5-Inch 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6GB/s
Will this work in the optical bay? I'm concerned about the 6GB/s.
Is this a good question?
Score
-1
217212
2 Answers
Chosen Solution
Rep: 479.3k
35
329
971
Yes, you could have some issues here depending on the exact model.
It makes no difference who's adapter you use they all have the same problem as the controller logic within the system has an issue with higher speed SATA drives. You will need a fixed SATA II (3.0 Gb/s) drive. Auto sense drives won't work in these odd systems either (HD or SSD).
Review this OWC listing: Data Doubler. Review your exact model and the Red section at the bottom of the page. Also note the drive you do put in will need some level of crash guard protection as the optical drive SATA port does not offer it (unlike the HD port). Also the Apple drive does not have it onboard either so don't move the drive over as it will surely crash on you as well.
Maybe you should think about upgrading your primary HD to a bigger drive if you have something small (< 1 TB). I would recommend going with a SSHD hybrid drive as that way you get some zip with the deeper cache it offers. I can recommend Seagate Laptop SSHD drives for the primary drive if you upgrade it.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
1
Its quite odd. I already used a data doubler and put my original HDD in the optical bay. The SSD is doing 6GB/s in the original primary location. So this leads me to believe that the original HDD I moved over to the optical side is a SATA 3, meaning it will do 6 although the optical only shows 3.
Btw, is "link speed" the top speed capable of the system or brought down due to the HDD.
I use the word I/O speed as there is not dialog between the device and the system to set the drives I/O speed. 'Link Speed' is used to describe Ethernets ability to adjust the speed but it has a true dialog between the devices. What happens here is the drive tests the clock rate of the systems I/O and then sets its self to that speed. In these odd systems the clock rate is correct but the logic messes up so it confuses the drive which is why you can't use them.
I would put the HD back in its correct location as you do what HD crash guard to work for it. Here's Apples patent: Patent a Method of Protecting Hard Drives which it uses inside its systems.
Unless you upgraded your HD Apple uses a fixed speed HD. They did use in some systems a slower I/O speed drive than what the system could handle. Check the specs on your HD. If this is a replacement drive its possible the drives I/O speed was altered via a jumper on the drive.
Rep: 1
1
Thanks Dan for the information.
I used a Data Doubler nearly two years ago and placed my original HDD in the optical slot. Its been flawless ever since.
Its only now as my need to upgrade to a 1TB since I do Photography. I purchased a SATA 3.0 to replace the original 500G drive which I believe is SATA 3.0. Which will go in the optical bay.
Totally do understand that the optical bay doesn't offer all the perks of the HDD bay.
Original HDD slot is a 6.0 with a SSD.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
Also I show link speed when looking at the link for the drives not the internet.
Example:
Link speed 6
Negotiated speed 6
Just don't bang your system when its running ;-}
As to the term link speed Apple misuses it in their hardware profiler app. If you stare at it will turn to the correct wording of I/O Speed it helps if you've had a few shots ;-}
