MacPro 2013 TB2 question

[apanacci]

Hey guys I picked up a 2013 MacPro for a good price up here in Toronto. I just got a TB2 cable that Mike H had suggested. Can anyone tell me please in my 2012 MacPro I think that the 5 USB connections are on separate busses correct ? And I think the FW800 are pared correct ? The question I have about the 2013 are the 4 USB connections all separate busses and the big question how are the 6 Thunderbolt connections setup ? I have a 828X and a 828MKIII with an adapter FW800 to TB2.Sorry a lot of questions ! I dont know what I would do without this forum !

[mikehalloran]

Hey guys I picked up a 2013 MacPro for a good price up here in Toronto. I just got a TB2 cable that Mike H had suggested. Can anyone tell me please in my 2012 MacPro I think that the 5 USB connections are on separate busses correct ? And I think the FW800 are pared correct ? The question I have about the 2013 are the 4 USB connections all separate busses and the big question how are the 6 Thunderbolt connections setup ? I have a 828X and a 828MKIII with an adapter FW800 to TB2.Sorry a lot of questions ! I dont know what I would do without this forum !

The 6.1 has three TB2 buses with two ports each. You can connect the 828x and your 828MKIII w/ adapter to the same TB bus. You can also connect the 828x to a USB port—which might exhibit slightly faster RTL.

As long as you are not trying to hook up more than 4 displays, TB ports should not be an issue. More than 3 must be Thunderbolt displays but you have other options for 1, 2 or 3. Actually, you should be able to use 5 TB displays if the 828x is connected via USB. Displays must be at the end of a TB1/2 chain so you cannot daisychain either of your interfaces.

There is only one USB 3.0 buss with 4 ports. The theoretical maximum for an xHCI USB controller (the type used for USB 3.0) is 255 devices, but most controllers only support 96 or 127. Maximum number that can be supported through hubs is 225 ports.

[apanacci]

Thanks for the info Mike! Always a pleasure !

[mikehalloran]

Sure.

I am reminded that, when the 828x was introduced at NAMM so many years ago, I asked a rep why only one TB port which limited it to being at the end of a daisy-chain. The reply came back, "Mike, I could give you a technical reason as to why but the real one is cost."