MaxUpgrades has introduced the MaxConnect SAS/ SATA Link, designed to connect four internal disk drive bays of the Mac Pro to a PCI Express SAS or SATA Controller installed in any PCI Express Expansion Slot of the machine. Prices range between $89 and $229 depending on the connections and controller options you need.

MaxConnect SAS/SATA Link for Mac Pro systems offers the highest level of flexibility in data speed and redundancy, MaxUpgrades notes, with users now being able to "integrate [the] fastest internal SAS/SATA storage system for Mac Pro" in accordance to their needs. The MaxConnect SAS/SATA Link measures just 0.45Hx1WX2D inches and is housed in completely covered machined thermo plastic micro case.

SAS/SATA Host Bus Adapter or RAID Controller can be installed in any PCI Express Expansion Slot, MaxUpgrades assures, and can be configured as RAID 0,1, 5 , 6 or more. Mac Pro owners should note that RAID level support is dependent on the type of controller.

This image shows results on a four 15,000 RPM SAS (Serial Attach SCSI) Hard Disk Drive test. The drives were connected to the four internal drive bays of the 8-Core Mac Pro System (early 2008 model) via PCI Express SAS Host Bus Adapter installed in PCI Express Expansion Slot 2 (Rev 2). As the image reveals, performance of SAS 4x...RAID Level 0 along with SAS 4x...RAID level 5 is good. The drives and PCIe Controller are connected via MaxConnect SAS/SATA Link.

As a Mac Pro user you can opt for three different models of the MaxConnect SAS/SATA Link:

MaxConnect SAS/SATA Link with MiniSAS 4x SATA Cable
MaxConnect SAS/SATA Link with Multilane MiniSAS to MiniSAS Cable
MaxConnect SAS/SATA Link with 4-port SAS Controller for Mac Pro Systems

The link with MiniSAS 4x SATA cable costs only $89, while the link with multilane MiniSAS to MiniSAS cable goes for just 75 cents more. If you require a 4-port SAS controller, the price can go as high as $229. You can learn more by visiting MaxUpgrade's web page.