I was warned some years ago that OWC SSD does not work in certain external drive cases. Go to the OWC site and read the small print. Send OWC an email asking to explain the issue with Boot Camp.
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A list of successful iMac 27" (2012-2019) SSD upgrades
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I just sent the email and I’m awaiting for their response. I don’t get what hardware the OWC blade lacks that it doesn’t support a very (very) important feature, supposing it’s the best and most expensive alternative made specifically for Macs. Anyways, I trust that it’s possible to install Windows on the internal Sata SSD and I can dualboot from there, right?
It looks like Boot Camp can be used with external drives, so it would seem that the second internal drive (SATA) might work. Apparently, no M.2 drive other than Apple's is compatible with Bootcamp. Another option would be to run Parallels.
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Yeah, that seems possible per this very detailed how-to video from our
Another option would potentially be to install Open Source Legacy Patcher to setup a dual-boot Mac/Windows install. Windows would be installed in native UEFI mode which should work fine, plus will allow you to run MacOS Ventura on your computer if it isn't officially supported. Caveat being that you lose the closed security architecture of Apple's bootloader.
This article may also be of assistance:
How to Use Boot Camp on an External Drive to Run Windows on a Mac
Boot Camp and Boot Camp Assistant allow you to install Windows on your Mac. It's a nice capability that lets you select – at boot time – which
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Device: Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNE92LL/A (3.4Ghz i5-7500, Fusion HDD+32GB blade)
HDD upgrade: 1 TB SATA HDD -> Crucial BX500
Blade upgrade: 32 GB Apple Blade - > Crucial P3 2TB M.2 PCIe Gen3 NVMe
Adapter: OLVINS M.2 NVME SSD
CPU upgrade: -
Speed test: -
OS: Ventura 13.2.1
Location: Belgium
Temperature sensor: OWC In-line Digital Thermal Sensor
Issues after fresh OS install:
The Crucial P3 blade is not detected by the system. In system Information, nothing is showing under NVMExpress, also in Disk Utility, the blade doesn't show. I discovered this forum only afterwards and see that a Crucial P3 has never been reported in any swap by anybody for this iMac.
The adapter has been used by other users successfully so I think this should not be the issue. I am considering sending the crucial back and buying a WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD 2TB instead, as this has recently shown a successful install with @alloallo . I am avoiding Samsung as I have read a lot of issues here with Trim.
My procedure is to install the blade SSD right out of the box, then booting holding option and install the OS from a USB-stick with Ventura installer that I have. Would this be the right procedure, or do you have to connect the new blade to an external enclosure first to prepare it?
Should I install a heatsink on the WD Black and is there enough room for something like this with a thickness of 1cm?
The workflow on this Mac is mostly office use, no video and only little photo editing.
HDD upgrade: 1 TB SATA HDD -> Crucial BX500
Blade upgrade: 32 GB Apple Blade - > Crucial P3 2TB M.2 PCIe Gen3 NVMe
Adapter: OLVINS M.2 NVME SSD
CPU upgrade: -
Speed test: -
OS: Ventura 13.2.1
Location: Belgium
Temperature sensor: OWC In-line Digital Thermal Sensor
Issues after fresh OS install:
The Crucial P3 blade is not detected by the system. In system Information, nothing is showing under NVMExpress, also in Disk Utility, the blade doesn't show. I discovered this forum only afterwards and see that a Crucial P3 has never been reported in any swap by anybody for this iMac.
The adapter has been used by other users successfully so I think this should not be the issue. I am considering sending the crucial back and buying a WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD 2TB instead, as this has recently shown a successful install with @alloallo . I am avoiding Samsung as I have read a lot of issues here with Trim.
My procedure is to install the blade SSD right out of the box, then booting holding option and install the OS from a USB-stick with Ventura installer that I have. Would this be the right procedure, or do you have to connect the new blade to an external enclosure first to prepare it?
Should I install a heatsink on the WD Black and is there enough room for something like this with a thickness of 1cm?
The workflow on this Mac is mostly office use, no video and only little photo editing.
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Anyone could report if they managed to run windows with bootcamp after nvme upgrade on imac 18,3 and if yes what nvme they used?
I have not used a Crucial NVME but wish to offer a possibly some useful comment:
1. If you have not already done so, check that Disk Utility is ticked to show all drives. Also check to see if firmware update for the drive is needed. Also check blade fully inserted into adapter. This spoils many upgrades.
2. If Crucial P3 is up to date out of the box, your procedure should work. However, installing o/s on blade via via Command R to external enclosure is favoured to anticipate any difficulty with iMac reading blade. You can try 1; if it does not work try 2. See remarks by rxs0 on page 1 of this thread regarding 2017 mac.
3. WD Black runs hot under load and heat sink is recommended. From what others say in this forum you have space for 3mm thick heatsink. Your described usage is no great load so thermals would be no challenge to the blade.
4. Most trouble free NVME choices for PCIE 3.0 (that I am aware of); are Intel 670p, WD Black SN750, Sabrent Rocket. WD Black SN 770 is PCIE 4.0 so you will pay for speed you cannot use.
Cheers,
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Show all drives in disk utility is checked and I noticed indeed that quit some force is needed to insert the SSD in the adapter as wel as to fully insert the adapter into the motherboard. This should all be fine, still nothing is showing under NVMExpress in System Information.
There seem to be no firmware updates available for the Crucial, this seems fine as well.
I am going to take your kind advice and order a WD Black SN 770 (currently cheaper than the 750 in my region), a heatsink under 3mm thickness, and a cheap enclosure to prepare the SSD externally.
Will keep the results posted here...
Yes, I see WD Black SN770 prices are now very attractive. The only shortcoming for my needs is lack of AES hardware encyption. If you are after the 2TB model this may be helpful: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/wd-black-sn770-ssd-review
Best Wishes.
I am planning on upgrading my 2017 27" iMac and it seems like many are looking at the WD Black SN770, which is good value these days. I am ordering the Sintech NGFF M.2 NVME adapter card (long one), but noticed it mentions it does not support the WD Black SN770, whereas some have noted it still works. Can anyone comment on this?
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Hey guys!
I have a iMac late 2015 27'' 5K upgraded with Sumsung nvme etc .. mac os Montery!
My question is has anyone tried to install mac os Ventura with open legacy patcher on these modified unsupported mac os Ventura machines? Do you think it will work or since is modified with NVME adapter card and hard drive would give problems?
Thanks
I have a iMac late 2015 27'' 5K upgraded with Sumsung nvme etc .. mac os Montery!
My question is has anyone tried to install mac os Ventura with open legacy patcher on these modified unsupported mac os Ventura machines? Do you think it will work or since is modified with NVME adapter card and hard drive would give problems?
Thanks
Hey! Could you share report from Blackmagic disc speed test after upgrading to SN850X ?
Just reporting back after my previous posts.
I have received the WD Black SN770 and this time installed a working OS externally before opening my iMac again. I then installed the heatsink on the blade, put it all in the iMac and can report now that all is working.
So super important: the Crucial P3 is just not compatible and is not recognised. I hope I am getting my money back...
I have received the WD Black SN770 and this time installed a working OS externally before opening my iMac again. I then installed the heatsink on the blade, put it all in the iMac and can report now that all is working.
So super important: the Crucial P3 is just not compatible and is not recognised. I hope I am getting my money back...
I can confirm that the WD Black SN770 is working fine on the OLVINS M.2 NVME SSD adapter in my 27" 2017 iMac.
Late 2015 - 17.1 - none (4.0Ghz i7-6700K, Fusion HDD+128GB blade)
I have tried to upgrade the 128GB blade with the following blades:
Neither of the above worked and the diagnostic LEDs do not light up at all. When I removed the blades, the LEDs light up.
However, when I tried with the following blade that is in my MacBook:
the diagnostic LEDs light up. Any ideas what could be causing the first two blades to not allow the LEDs to light up? At first I thought it might be because I was trying with a gen4 Nvme, but even with a gen3 2tb it does not work.
I have tried to upgrade the 128GB blade with the following blades:
Crucial P3 2TB PCIe Gen3 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD
WD_Black 1TB SN750 SE NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280
Neither of the above worked and the diagnostic LEDs do not light up at all. When I removed the blades, the LEDs light up.
However, when I tried with the following blade that is in my MacBook:
WD_Black SN750 2TB NVMe Internal Gaming SSD - Gen3 PCIe, M.2 2280
the diagnostic LEDs light up. Any ideas what could be causing the first two blades to not allow the LEDs to light up? At first I thought it might be because I was trying with a gen4 Nvme, but even with a gen3 2tb it does not work.
Thanks Metros. Just a quick report, I have installed the WD Black SN770 1TB with the Sintech long adapter for my 27" 2017 iMac. I am getting write speed of 2700MB/s and read speed of 2850 MB/s. Very happy with the upgrade!
Thanks Metros. Just a quick report, I have installed the WD Black SN770 1TB with the Sintech long adapter for my 27" 2017 iMac. I am getting write speed of 2700MB/s and read speed of 2850 MB/s. Very happy with the upgrade!
Νice! How would you rate the difficulty of the whole process? Did you also install a heatsink on the NVME? Lastly, how much did it cost you overall (tools, nvme, sintech, adhesive strips for the screen etc)
That's nice! It's surprising because according to description on Amazon, Sintech doesn't support WD Black SN770.Thanks Metros. Just a quick report, I have installed the WD Black SN770 1TB with the Sintech long adapter for my 27" 2017 iMac. I am getting write speed of 2700MB/s and read speed of 2850 MB/s. Very happy with the upgrade!
For sure, I was a bit nervous about this specifically but based on the comments in the amazon reviews as well as Metros' reply, I took the gamble and seems to have paid off.