2017 Imac Upgrades

[Lawrencedc]

Hi,

I’m a graphic designer and have always had access to high-end Macs provided by employers. I am now working for myself and only have a 2017 21.5-inch iMac that I previously used for light work at home. I would like to bring the performance of this machine up to a point where it can be used as my main machine for the next year or so and hopefully run several Creative Suite apps etc without grinding to a complete halt.

I have experience removing the screens and upgrading iMacs so that side should be fine. Just looking for some advice on the points below as I’ve been getting mixed messages about what components are compatible with my model.

Memory

The machine only has 8GB memory so I’d like to take this to 16 or 32. I’m based in the UK and this memory is compatible according to this website:

https://www.mrmemory.co.uk/memory-r...c/retina-4k-21.5-inch-mid-2017-3.4ghz-core-i5

However, I’ve had someone tell me that this memory actually won’t work with my machine so I was hoping for clarity on that.

SSD:

For the SSD upgrade, I was planning on adding a larger NVMe drive (current one is only 32GB) and install the OS and apps on there. I would then use the 1TB SATA drive for file storage. Does this sound like a good plan that will give me the best performance?

The model I was planning to use is the OWC 480 GB Aura PRO X2 SSD. Again, getting mixed messages about the compatibility of this ssd.

DATA:

Since my current computer uses a fusion drive, what is the best method to get my current OS and apps over to the new drive without having to reinstall everything? I don’t use time machine but have several external USB drives I could use if that is the best option. Would it be worth getting an external enclosure for the new NVMe drive and set it up first before installing it? Or would that be a waste of time?

Appreciate any advice!

Thanks

Spec:

Model: 2017 21.5-inch 4k Retina iMac
Processor: 3.4GHz Core i5
Identifier: iMac18,2
Memory: 8GB
HDD: 1TB fusion drive

 

[mj_]

Memory: any name-brand standard DDR4 SO-DIMM will do. Don't fall for "Mac compatible" RAM as it more often than not comes with a hefty premium. I have two extra Crucial sticks in mine but it doesn't really matter whether it's Crucial, Samsung, Hynix, Kingston, etc.

SSD: not worth opening the iMac for. A much better and easier solution would be to get an exteral Thunderbolt 3 case for NVMe SSDs and a Samsung/Crucial/Intel/Western Digital NVMe SSD. It will give you the same performance without having to open the iMac.
Forget what I said above. I didn't realize you had the 21.5-inch model, which you will need to open for the RAM upgrade anyway. In that case look at the long thread of successful 2017 SSD upgrades. You don't need to get a special SSD but a cheap adapter and any name-brand NVMe SSD instead. There's a long list of successful upgrades that you can follow.

 

[Lawrencedc]

Thanks mj, I'll have a look at external NVMe enclosures. Sadly, I'll still need to completely dismantle the mac to upgrade the memory so I'll be taking out the logic board anyway If only this model had a memory access panel on the back like the 27in version...

 

[mj_]

Yeah, I realized my mistake right after I finished my message. Hence the update above

 

[Lawrencedc]

Ok thanks, I'll take a look.

 

[rpmurray]

I found a daily inexpensive used 2017 iMac 27" 4.2GHz that I'm planning to update. It came with a cracked display so figured while I was replacing that I should also update the insides.

Memory: picked up the 64GB kit from OWC. You can never have too much RAM. They do have other kits between 4GB and 32GB.

SSD: Since the iMac can accept both an NVME SSD and a SATA SSD (replacing the HD), I decided on both the Samsung 1TB 970 PRO NVMe M.2 Internal SSD mainly because it uses MLC instead of TLC, a Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card, and a Samsung 860 Pro Series 2TB 2.5" SATA3 (MZ-76P2T0E) using a Fenlink 2.5" to 3.5" Internal SSD Hard Drive SATA Drive Converter. If you're planning on formatting the HD as APFS then you'll want to replace the spinner with an SSD since it'll be slow otherwise. Wasn't sure if I needed it but also picked up the In-line Digital Thermal Sensor for Hard Drive from OWC.

For the data, I already own Carbon Copy Cloner but if you don't they have a free 30 day trial.

Supposedly the drives and adapters are all compatible according to what I've read around these forums. Waiting until the holidays to install it all.