2017 iMac 27inch, SSD questions

[Fernandez21]

So I just ordered a refurbished 2017 iMac, 18,3 with upgraded GPU (Pro 580), upgraded core i5 (3.8ghz, 7600k), and 2tb fusion. I'm upgrading the RAM to 32gb (already ordered) but am also considering upgrading the fusion drive to SSD.

It's my understanding that this fusion drive has a 128gb mvne SSD along with a 2tb HDD. If I upgrade the HDD only, will I lose access to the 128gb SSD? Will I see any performance gains as I assume the OS should already be booting from the SSD? Would I be able to "merge" the 2 SSD drives into a faster fusion drive? I keep all my files in iCloud (1.6tb), if I were to "split" them up into 2 drives, will my iCloud drive setup still work, or is iCloud only available on the main drive? Or would simply upgrading the mvne SSD and ditching the SATA drive altogether be the best move? And would it be worth it to upgrade the CPU to the i7 7700k while I have the machine open?

The main thing I want is speed, I do some light gaming and video editing (not much, not a concern), but I do want launching apps, websites, video streaming, bootups, multitasking, and user profile switching to be incredibly quick without stutter or lag. Also, on rare occasion, I use bootcamp to go into windows 10 to use certain apps.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Fernandez21]

So I just ordered a refurbished 2017 iMac, 18,3 with upgraded GPU (Pro 580), upgraded core i5 (3.8ghz, 7600k), and 2tb fusion. I'm upgrading the RAM to 32gb (already ordered) but am also considering upgrading the fusion drive to SSD.

It's my understanding that this fusion drive has a 128gb mvne SSD along with a 2tb HDD. If I upgrade the HDD only, will I lose access to the 128gb SSD? Will I see any performance gains as I assume the OS should already be booting from the SSD? Would I be able to "merge" the 2 SSD drives into a faster fusion drive? I keep all my files in iCloud (1.6tb), if I were to "split" them up into 2 drives, will my iCloud drive setup still work, or is iCloud only available on the main drive? Or would simply upgrading the mvne SSD and ditching the SATA drive altogether be the best move? And would it be worth it to upgrade the CPU to the i7 7700k while I have the machine open?

The main thing I want is speed, I do some light gaming and video editing (not much, not a concern), but I do want launching apps, websites, video streaming, bootups, multitasking, and user profile switching to be incredibly quick without stutter or lag. Also, on rare occasion, I use bootcamp to go into windows 10 to use certain apps.

Thanks for any help.

Thinking about getting a 2 tb mvne SSD and a 1 or 2 tb 2.5 SATA SSD and booting windows from the SATA and making that soley the windows partition and booting MacOS from the mvne and making that soley a Mac partition.

Any recommendations?

 

[Macproappi]

If you open your iMac you might do it only once. Therefore I suggest you do the hole thing (NVME/SATA and i7 7700k). But if the i5 7600 is all you need (its cool and the iMac stays quiet!) you should check out a Samsung x5 TB3 Drive. It is a simple upgrade and its fast. It works as a bootdrive. But check if it works with Bootcamp. Maybe someone else can answer that.

And you should check out: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/a-list-of-successful-imac-27-2012-2019-ssd-upgrades.2162435/

 

[Fernandez21]

If you open your iMac you might do it only once. Therefore I suggest you do the hole thing (NVME/SATA and i7 7700k). But if the i5 7600 is all you need (its cool and the iMac stays quiet!) you should check out a Samsung x5 TB3 Drive. It is a simple upgrade and its fast. It works as a bootdrive. But check if it works with Bootcamp. Maybe someone else can answer that.

And you should check out: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/a-list-of-successful-imac-27-2012-2019-ssd-upgrades.2162435/

Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing, which is why I'm considering the CPU upgrade, even though I don't need it now, may come in handy in a couple of years, I plan on keeping this iMac for at least 5 years, if not more.

I'm going to keep an eye out for the next year or so for sales and will do the upgrade once I have all the components. I think (hope) its current set up of a 2tb fusion, 40gb ram, and 7600k will be sufficient enough. Then I'll do the 2tb nvme ssd plus 2tb sata3 ssd and 7700k CPU upgrade at the same time (plus finish the RAM upgrade to 64gb), then format the nvme for MacOS and the SATA for Windows, giving 2tbs and one drive for each OS.

Thinking about a WD SN750 black for the NVME. Other than not needing na adapter, any reason to get an OWC X2 Pro or Feather M13 Turbo over something like the WD Black? Any thought on the ADATA SX8200 Pro (much cheaper than the Samsung or even the WD black at 2tb)?

 

[johnz01]

Hi,

I'm planning to upgrade to an adata sx 8200 pro, and then also upgrade the hdd to an ssd.
Besides buying the two ssds and the adapter for the blade and the bracket for the 2.5 ssd, is
it also neccisary to get the temp sensor. I'm on a 2017 imac 27 5k 4.2.

Also, any downside to the sx 8200 pro?

Thanks for your suggestioins!

Best,

John

 

[Fishrrman]

"So I just ordered a refurbished 2017 iMac, 18,3 with upgraded GPU (Pro 580), upgraded core i5 (3.8ghz, 7600k), and 2tb fusion. I'm upgrading the RAM to 32gb (already ordered) but am also considering upgrading the fusion drive to SSD."

This makes NO SENSE whatsover.
If it's an Apple-refurbished iMac with a 1-year warranty, you'll void the warranty by opening it.

If you wanted an SSD inside, why didn't you ORDER ONE with an SSD inside?