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A list of successful iMac 27" (2012-2019) SSD upgrades
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I skimmed through all the pages here hoping that I could get an affirmative answer regarding upgrading my late 2014 iMac 5k
From the information I've gathered it would seem there are some who can add nvme drives without the sleep issue and some that still have it.
I would like a 2TB blade type drive in my iMac, and possibly replacing the 1TB with a 4TB for data storage. thinking maybe I could get lucky and have it work without issues but from what I read its random as to whether it will work or not.
I guess the best thing to do at this point is
A.) go ahead and attempt this using an intel 660p. + 4TB HDD and hope for the best
B.) go budget with a 2TB evo 860 SATA SSD. and do without the data storage.
I'm no closer to figuring out what to do than when I started lol
From the information I've gathered it would seem there are some who can add nvme drives without the sleep issue and some that still have it.
I would like a 2TB blade type drive in my iMac, and possibly replacing the 1TB with a 4TB for data storage. thinking maybe I could get lucky and have it work without issues but from what I read its random as to whether it will work or not.
I guess the best thing to do at this point is
A.) go ahead and attempt this using an intel 660p. + 4TB HDD and hope for the best
B.) go budget with a 2TB evo 860 SATA SSD. and do without the data storage.
I'm no closer to figuring out what to do than when I started lol
not sure. I bypassed Mojave and did an update from Yosemite to MacOs Big Sur from the app store. Guess I could install mojave from one of my usb Installers. here is my sys info. anything else I can check to ensure I'm updated?
That Boot ROM/EFI version looks good. I said Mojave (or later). The EFI updates are included in security updates for Mojave and Catalina and also in the point updates for Big Sur. It doesn't matter which of these you install. Big Sur would have the best software side code for working with 3rd party SSDs anyway of those, so if Big Sur does what you need it is the best option.
How do I know if an Evo PLUS I am purchasing is "new"?
Older Evo PLUS need to be updated??
If it helps, my firmware is 429.
Still deciding between Evo plus and WD black 750...
Ideally purchase from a store that gets the distributor to ship directly to you, or you know sells through their stock regularly. A brick and mortar store could potentially take a long time to sell some stock and still have old stock lying around. If you do get something with old firmware then it shouldn't be that difficult to update the firmware if there is a utility to do it (I'm not familiar with that drive).
That's good. What you want is to have something with a number around that and definitely not the old firmware version format that looks very different. With recent firmware the bootloader should still update to newer versions as they are made available regardless of what drive is installed.
Hi guys ! I want to start by saying a big thank you for this thread (and this forum).
I have a Late 2015 27" iMac (17,1) and want to open it to replace my official Fusion Drive (24 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD), I was wondering if I can change both to SSDs as I'm doing a lot video/pictures editing (with Adobe).
If it's possible I would put a 500 GB Samsung 970 Pro (NVMe) to replace the 24 GB SSD, behind the motherboard and replace the 1 TB HDD by a Cruxial MX500 1TB SSD. I have read some posts mentioning the replacement of the SSD or the HDD but not both. Could you confirm that it is possible ? Do I need to buy the termal sensor or as it was said it is not required (even if I change both, again
Thank you in advance for your answer or advices.
Have a good one
Jim
I have a Late 2015 27" iMac (17,1) and want to open it to replace my official Fusion Drive (24 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD), I was wondering if I can change both to SSDs as I'm doing a lot video/pictures editing (with Adobe).
If it's possible I would put a 500 GB Samsung 970 Pro (NVMe) to replace the 24 GB SSD, behind the motherboard and replace the 1 TB HDD by a Cruxial MX500 1TB SSD. I have read some posts mentioning the replacement of the SSD or the HDD but not both. Could you confirm that it is possible ? Do I need to buy the termal sensor or as it was said it is not required (even if I change both, again
Thank you in advance for your answer or advices.
Have a good one
Jim
There are lost of posts in this thread that confirm this is possible.Hi guys ! I want to start by saying a big thank you for this thread (and this forum).
I have a Late 2015 27" iMac (17,1) and want to open it to replace my official Fusion Drive (24 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD), I was wondering if I can change both to SSDs as I'm doing a lot video/pictures editing (with Adobe).
If it's possible I would put a 500 GB Samsung 970 Pro (NVMe) to replace the 24 GB SSD, behind the motherboard and replace the 1 TB HDD by a Cruxial MX500 1TB SSD. I have read some posts mentioning the replacement of the SSD or the HDD but not both. Could you confirm that it is possible ? Do I need to buy the termal sensor or as it was said it is not required (even if I change both, again
Thank you in advance for your answer or advices.
Have a good one
Jim
Hi mbosse, thank you.
I have seen some posts with :
blade upgrade -> SSD and HDD upgrade -> better HDD
but none for
blade upgrade -> SSD and HDD upgrade -> SSD
I may have miss some pages
I will check again... I was wondering if I'd need the thermal sensor ...About the glue stripes. I have found a lot of different sellers (OWC, iFixit, AppleComponents.com) but I'm really worried about some comments, don't want my screen to fall
I know I will have to clean 100% of remaining glue but as I don't think I will have to open my iMac again quickly what do you guys think about putting some 3M stripes instead ? I've read some posts mentioning this product : 3M 5952 VHB. Does someone has already used it ? Is the thickness ok ? Thank you in advance
Jim
right in the first post, upgrade done by 'rxs0' (Samsung Blade & Samsung SATA SSD) is your answer... According to #532 the Crucial would run fine without the temperature sensor.Hi mbosse, thank you.
I have seen some posts with :
blade upgrade -> SSD and HDD upgrade -> better HDD
but none for
blade upgrade -> SSD and HDD upgrade -> SSD
I may have miss some pages
About the glue stripes. I have found a lot of different sellers (OWC, iFixit, AppleComponents.com) but I'm really worried about some comments, don't want my screen to fall
Thank you in advance
Jim
I used stripes from Ebay, no issues on many upgrades done.
Magnus
Oups
shame on me, I was searching with my iMac model: 17.1. Anyway, that's good news Do you have a link for the stripes you mentioned ?
Thanks
Jim
Not sure if it helps you as I am located in Europe:Oups
Do you have a link for the stripes you mentioned ?
Thanks
Jim
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One hint still: I'd make sure that you update the iMac to the newest macOS before you install the new SSDs - this way it gets the newest firmware updates such that it boots nicely from the NVMe SSD.
Magnus
I'm French
Right now I'm already on latest version of Big Sur but I'm booting from an external SSD drive (USB plugged). My Fusion Drive is used for /Users folder only... I guess it'll be fine right ?
About that, do you think I should boot to my current "USB plugged SSD Drive" the 1st time after changing both internal drives and then install the OS on the NVMe drive ... or maybe it does not make any sense to do that.
I haven't gotten to it yet... Too much at work. But I did get a NVMe to USB enclosure on sale so I plan on making a clone of the existing HDD to the blade SSD. The SATA SSD will just be formatted when it's installed. I still haven't bought a heatsink, and honestly don't think I'll need it. I'll just see if I happened to find some before I do the upgrade.
Hey guys, I just finished the upgrade everything went smoothly. I replaced the HDD for an SSD , and the 24Gb blade for an Evo Plus made in October 2020. I pre-installed MacOs Big Sur latest update (Firmware 429.80.1.0.0) in the SSD, planning to clone it later onto the Evo Plus . It booted all ok, except the imac doesn't recognize the EVO Plus at all. Any idea?
I inserted it in the adaptor, which I protected with kapton tape, even though the exposed pins were already painted over. The only thing I noticed was that it didn't fit tightly, it was actually kind of loose to be honest. Once I tightened the screw it seemed to stay good and solid.
but now I can't see it anywhere in the imac .Heeelp !
I inserted it in the adaptor, which I protected with kapton tape, even though the exposed pins were already painted over. The only thing I noticed was that it didn't fit tightly, it was actually kind of loose to be honest. Once I tightened the screw it seemed to stay good and solid.
but now I can't see it anywhere in the imac .Heeelp !
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Hey guys, I just finished the upgrade everything went smoothly. I replaced the HDD for an SSD , and the 24Gb blade for an Evo Plus made in October 2020. I pre-installed MacOs Big Sur latest update (Firmware 429.80.1.0.0) in the SSD, planning to clone it later onto the Evo Plus . It booted all ok, except the imac doesn't recognize the EVO Plus at all. Any idea?
I inserted it in the adaptor, which I protected with kapton tape, even though the exposed pins were already painted over. The only thing I noticed was that it didn't fit tightly, it was actually kind of loose to be honest. Once I tightened the screw it seemed to stay good and solid.
but now I can't see it anywhere in the imac .Heeelp !
Ok guys, noob error: The M2+ adapter wasn't pushed enough into the socket! Everything perfect now, already cloned my main drive onto the Evo Plus, and even with a humble i5 I still get more than 2800 write and 2900 read.
Thank you very much, this was strenuous but a lot of fun. And the machine now flies!!
Only downside, iSight is not working.
Not sure if I broke something (I was extremely cautious and honestly everything look ok), or maybe it is a software issue, since I didn't use the camera in months until now.If you have any clue as to what might have happened, please let me know.
But I guess I could live with that.
Another success story:
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - (3.2 Ghz i5, Fusion drive 1Tb)
Blade upgrade: 24GB blade -> 1TB Samsung 970 Evo Plus (manufactured 2020/10 )
Speed test: 2900 MB/s read, 2900 MB/s write
OS: Big Sur (Firmware 429.80.1.0.0)
Location: Buenos Aires
Adapter: Sintech Adapter (long one)
Issues after cloning OS to new Blade: NONE!
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I have a late 2012 iMac 13,2 that I bought new and still functions perfectly to this day. It still has the original 1TB Fusion drive, 2GB 680MX GPU, and 3.4GHZ i7 CPU. I have also upgraded it to 32GB RAM.
I want to upgrade away from the Fusion drive now, and put two 1TB SSDs in; one on the normal SATA bus where the HD is, and one in the 'blade' slot. For the original Apple SSD replacement, I have considered just buying the OWC Aura upgrade, but have also heard an mSATA SSD will work with an adapter.
Can somebody confirm the Sintech NGFF adapter will or will not work in the late 2012 27" iMac? (EDIT): Also, are speeds in the ~700 read/write range like upgraded 2013 iMacs are getting also possible for the 2012?
I want to upgrade away from the Fusion drive now, and put two 1TB SSDs in; one on the normal SATA bus where the HD is, and one in the 'blade' slot. For the original Apple SSD replacement, I have considered just buying the OWC Aura upgrade, but have also heard an mSATA SSD will work with an adapter.
Can somebody confirm the Sintech NGFF adapter will or will not work in the late 2012 27" iMac? (EDIT): Also, are speeds in the ~700 read/write range like upgraded 2013 iMacs are getting also possible for the 2012?
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You iMac only has SATA-3 speeds, thus below ~600 read/write is the maximum you can get.
As for the SSD to use, there are mSATA or M.2 SSDS. As many M.2 SSDs are too long to fit into your iMac (except you want to mount them with tape) I'd recommend mSATA. You need an mSATA to Apple SATA adapter which is different from the NVMe Sintech adapters we usually discuss here. This is what you need:
You might want to read this thread here as well (its for the 2012 Retina Macbook, but SSDs are same): https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-my-late-2012-rmbp-its-working-great.1836345/
Best,
Magnus
Ok guys, noob error: The M2+ adapter wasn't pushed enough into the socket! Everything perfect now, already cloned my main drive onto the Evo Plus, and even with a humble i5 I still get more than 2800 write and 2900 read.
Thank you very much, this was strenuous but a lot of fun. And the machine now flies!!
Only downside, iSight is not working.
If you have any clue as to what might have happened, please let me know.
But I guess I could live with that.
Another success story:
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - (3.2 Ghz i5, Fusion drive 1Tb)
Blade upgrade: 24GB blade -> 1TB Samsung 970 Evo Plus (manufactured 2020/10 )
Speed test: 2800 MB/s read, 2900 MB/s write
OS: Big Sur (Firmware 429.80.1.0.0)
Location: Buenos Aires
Adapter: Sintech Adapter (long one)
Issues after cloning OS to new Blade: NONE!
here is what I would do. Install a fresh new copy of any (compatible for your system) mac os in a usb drive and boot from it.
If the camera will work it is definitely a software issue. If not, it is 100% hardware problem.
This is the starting point from which It will possible to give any kind of advice.....
I'll give it a try. But I'm sure I knocked the camera, the pizza cutter thing is deep enough as to hit it, I though it was not.
But I'll try, thank you.