Is there any way to get a performance comparison between the Newertech Ministack using USB2 and FW connection as opposed

[GeneL]

For those who don't already know, I bought my s/o a MIni for her birthday in September. We're already finding that it does need some upgrades, including memory and storage.

I'm considering using an 300gb ATA HD pulled from my retired G3 MT in a Newertech Ministack or buying the Ministack complete with a HD from OWC.

My question is which configuration will give the greatest performance, my drive vs complete Ministack with drive included and USB2 vs FW.

If USB2 turns out to be faster than the FW 400 of the Mini/Ministack then why would I need to pay extra for FW?

Also, is there a price break on sending the Mini to OWC for upgrading, including memory and possibly other upgrades? What upgrades are suggested?

I've seen the take apart instructions for the Mini, but I don't want to void the Applecare warranty.

Has anyone on the forum done any of these upgrades? What results and any suggestions?

Thanks for your thoughts,

GeneL

[Gilbert]

I have a 1.83GHz mini and run an external FW hard drive as my main drive for the same reasons you cite.

The external HD is faster than the internal HD. I chose FW instead of USB2 as most things I have read on XLR8yourmac.com and barefeats.com show FW is still faster than USB2 at least on the Mac.

The original HD is still installed in the mini. Once I had the external FW hard drive connected, I used SuperDuper to copy the internal HDs content to the FW HD and had it make the copy bootable. I then opened the Startup Disk pref pane and selected the FW HD as the boot disk.

The only other upgrade I have done was to increase the RAM to 2GB. I did it myself following the OWC instruction videos. It wasn't too difficult to do but if one is unsure and sending it in to OWC is an option, then that may be a good option.

I am still considering putting my mac mini in some small form case like a Shuttle and connecting a 3.5" HD and a 5.25" SuperDrive to the SATA and IDE connectors respectively. Similar to the Mac mini Monster project over at Macintouch:

http://www.macintouch.com/specialreports...hase2.html

My mac Mini replaced a Dual G5 and I have been very happy with it's performance for what my needs are nowadays.

Good luck!

[jdc]

external FW is faster than the internal drive

http://www.barefeats.com/mini01c.html

OWC has some of the v1 ministack cases for $55 -- dont forget that the ministack cases offer additional FW and USB ports -- so making a comparision to a $15 USB case is not really relevant...

i would try your local apple store for the memory upgrade, i understand the intel minis are hard to break into -- i broke into several G4 minis pretty easy...

[jdc]

FWIW, i think compusa is a $30 install on ram

[GeneL]

First, let me say thanks for the quick replies.

I had thought that FW would be faster, but wasn't sure.

I guess the external FW drive is the answer, so I'll be looking at the FW/USB2 Ministack with an already installed 250gb HD from OWC.

As far as installing the 2gb of ram that I want to add, will CompUSA install my memory purchased elsewhere? (I have used OWC's in my G5)

Is this the best memory choice for performance and price? Maybe a dumb question on a forum sponsored by OWC, but I had to ask.

GeneL

[GeneL]

It's too late now!

I just ordered both the 2 gb of memory and the 320 gb FW/USB2 Ministack.

BTW, Techroom, the local service company that Apple refers house calls to, is only going to charge me $25 to install the memory.

They quoted $345 for Kingston memory, but have nothing to say about OWC memory (which costs $239 right now) except that they've heard of it. I just hope that OWC Larry's memory checks out as equal to the Kingston ram.

The reason that I'm concerned is that it was suggested by the Apple product specialist, that I've been working with on my G5's problems, has asked me to remove my 4 gb of upgraded OWC memory. He felt that bad memory might be causing the problems. Of course, there is no specific issue that he's pointed to regarding using the OWC ram, only that to troubleshoot the problem he wants me to eliminate the upgrades that I've added to see if the problems go away.

As I always say, "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

GeneL

[BigGuynRusty]

Removing aftermarket RAM is SOP, no matter who's RAM it is.
You bring it back to stock, and then troubleshoot.

I trust OWC RAM more than Kingston, and that $345 price is highway robbery.
DataMem is only $248.
Did they see you fall off a turnip truck?

BGnR

[GeneL]

Thank you BGnR.

I had a problem figuring out the answer since I took that tumble off the turnip truck

You're fine…

… who am I?

I just wish someone would fix my effin G5 before I kill it…