early 2009 mini upgrade

[pompad]

Hi Everyone!

I’ve been reading this great forum for a couple of weeks, learned a lot from your topics, so first Thank You All for this huge knowledge base on minis!

I’m looking forward to boost my mac's performance, it’s an early 2009 2 GHz C2D Mini 2GB RAM. the memory was the only upgrade the mini got when I bought it 3 years ago… this ‘bigger’ uprade projects goes like this:


- 120 GB OWC Mercury Electra 3G SSD with the data doubler they offer - for boot & apps, stock HDD replacement
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DDMMSSD115/

- OWC 8 GB ram kit
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S8GP/

- WD Scorpio Black 500 GB 7200RPM - to replace the Superdrive, mounted with the data doubler OWC ships with the SSD, for system backup & storing work related stuff
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Western%20Digital/WD5000BPKT/

- 1.0TB WD Caviar Balck 7200RPM - external, to store music, paintings, comis, etc.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Western%20Digital/WD1002FAEX/

- NewerTech miniStack - encloses the Caviar Black, connects to mini with FW800
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/MSQKIT0GB/

- and some visual pimping


My questions:

1.
I know with the stock HDD I have speed limitations to 1.5 Gb but it will be solved with the SSD replacement. will I have the same negotiated speed with the Scorpio connected to the SuperDrive slot? I’ve read that the Scorpios are fast as hell, but can’t find out what limitations does the SDrive slot has, if it has any. will the Scorpio shine in that slot with great speed?

2.
are the OWC products reliable? sure they have a big load of compatibility & performance guides on their sites, but anyone has played with the SSD/RAM combo they offer? especially any detailed experiences with an early 2009 Mac mini? how trustable items they sell?
the ministack goes the same, any issues with the FW800 port and the housing itself? will the FW be fast enough to play my itunes library from the drive?

3.
on the visual side, I’d like to buy somewhere or from someone a 2009 mini server case. how can I get one? I’ve been searching for the last few weeks (ebay, amazon) with no success. don’t know it’s something I can buy as a repairt part or I have to get the 2009 server model to just get the case? I’m getting nowhere finding one, really need help on this...


I’m using my mini as a workstation for print & webdesign and digital painting, running Snow Leopard. I know the upgrade listed above costs a lot, but I don’t want to buy a new Mac. for now, this little slut suits well my workflow needs, I just want to celebrate her glory and give her some performance boost & sexy look

Answers and opinions are really appreciated! Thanks!


ps: this is a great community, I didn't want my first post to have several grammal mistakes, but it's very late now in mid Europe... sorry if my english is poor at this time

[jb]

OWC are the go-to-guys for many of us Apple fans.
I've purchased drives, (SSDs and conventional) and memory from them, all top of the line , with no problems.
They are an excellent source for parts and upgrades for those, like myself who dabble with vintage Apple equipment.
I'd give them a 10 out of 10.

[pompad]

thanks jb!

[pompad]

pls ignore my really lame question about the Superdrive slot, I found the specs in System Profiler, well done me...