Core on External SSD (+Mac Mini)

Roon Software Discussion
1

I have a 2012 Mac Mini 2 x1tb hard drives , 16gb RAM , 4 x WD Thunderbolt storage drives and a Meridian Explorer2 . I also have a 256gb SSD in a powered ‘Inatech’ case connected by usb 3.0 . I have searched but not found clear description , is it possible/recommended to run Core from SSD connected this way or is it just Roon databases which benefit from being on SSD ?

Thx

~M~

2

Roon and it’s databases need to be on the ssd internally on the Mac, if you don’t have one then it’s not going to fly very well at all. Ssd on a usb connection will probably be no better than hdd internally.

3

Fair enough , thanks for clearing that up . I thought it would be a good use of a spare SSD and supply speed for the database as recommended . Maybe my next mini will have SSDs :O)

~M~

4

It is possible for that model to substitute one of the internal drives for an ssd and most Mac/pc shops could probably do that for you…not an Apple shop perhaps as they will want you to get a new Mac.

It is something I have done DIY on all my Mac mini’s and older MacBooks.

You might want to research that in your area. You could put the removed 1tb hdd into the external case and still keep its contents.

5

Seems like a lot of bother for minimal benefits for just the one program . Problem is the ssd is only 256gb and the hdd is 1tb .

I will investigate further :O)

Thx

M

6

An SSD on the boot drive is a specified minimum requirement so all bets are off on a given level of performance - that and a 2012 MacMini is already at the bare minimum of CPU generations.

If you really want a workstation thats running other applications etc to run roon also then you have only one ideal option an thats to get a dedicated platform. A NUC with ROCK would be my recommendation.

you can’t use the SSD externally on the mini for the roon install - it must use the bootable device - but booting to the SSD on a USB connection will perhaps be no better than using the HDD…(perhaps even worse) which of course you can try - it will work but don’t expect stellar performance for some things database related.