A list of successful iMac 27" (2012-2019) SSD upgrades

[grumpyimac]

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)

Hard to say as everyone's experience level is different but I would say the riskiest part is the removal of the screen and making sure you don't damage it. All the parts are pretty small so just taking your time and no losing anything is critical. OWC has a great step by step YouTube video I found to be really helpful. Took me 2-3 hours from start to finish. Cost wise was about $150 CAD but I already had the tools. Hope that helps.

 

[SidneyL]

Hi just to feed the discussion and perhaps get some hints or tips. I've tried to update a 2017 imac with a samsung 970 evo plus with firmware version: Samsung_SSD_970_EVO_Plus_4B2QEXM7.
The drive is not visable at all in osx (after booting cmd + R). It however does showup when i use the samsung driver update tool on a efi usb stick. It shows the drive and the current firmware. (so i asume its installed correctly...)
- Is the drive just not compatable with osx? (i've read quite some success stories before buying, but all on the 2B2QEXM7 firmware, downgrade not possible)?
- Are there tips or tricks on how to continue?

 

[Terraaustralis]

Hi just to feed the discussion and perhaps get some hints or tips. I've tried to update a 2017 imac with a samsung 970 evo plus with firmware version: Samsung_SSD_970_EVO_Plus_4B2QEXM7.
The drive is not visable at all in osx (after booting cmd + R). It however does showup when i use the samsung driver update tool on a efi usb stick. It shows the drive and the current firmware. (so i asume its installed correctly...)
- Is the drive just not compatable with osx? (i've read quite some success stories before buying, but all on the 2B2QEXM7 firmware, downgrade not possible)?
- Are there tips or tricks on how to continue?

If you look back at earlier reports you will see nothing but problems with the Samsung Evo Plus. tonymacx86 reported a detailed account of why trim accumulated to slow down iMac start-up. Makes no difference, Phoenix or Elpis controller. It is a Mac o/s vs Samsung issue.

I seriously considered the EVO Plus but instead chose an Adata sx8600 which matches if not exceeds the Samsung in some tests. The iMac reads the Adata NVME without any firmware update being necessary. I shall publish results soon. Meanwhile, if you can return the Samsung or on sell it, do so. It is a dog. Stay away.

 

[SidneyL]

If you look back at earlier reports you will see nothing but problems with the Samsung Evo Plus. tonymacx86 reported a detailed account of why trim accumulated to slow down iMac start-up. Makes no difference, Phoenix or Elpis controller. It is a Mac o/s vs Samsung issue.

I seriously considered the EVO Plus but instead chose an Adata sx8600 which matches if not exceeds the Samsung in some tests. The iMac reads the Adata NVME without any firmware update being necessary. I shall publish results soon. Meanwhile, if you can return the Samsung or on sell it, do so. It is a dog. Stay away.

I had an other go at it yesterday. It works perfect now. A lot faster than before and stable, at least till now....No problems with sleep/wakeup,.
The problem was apparently the boot with cmd+R. Then the imac booted Sierra and the new drive was not present/visible. So yesterday i made an usb boot stick with Ventura OS (on macbook pro) and booted the imac with the stick. In Ventura the drive is detected and is present!
Formatted it, installed Ventura, put back a timemachine backup and the system was up and running.

 

[Terraaustralis]

Good news indeed. You are operational. However, judging by the Firmware number I think your Evo Plus has the Elpis controller. Irrespective of controller, the Evo Plus and Mac o/s have incompatible trim instructions.

Please monitor your boot-up times and you will see they will increase over time. See Jefke Peeters and HifiToaster typical of many caught out with this problem. https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...mac-27-2012-2019-ssd-upgrades.2162435/page-43

A reinstall of the operating system deletes old accumulated trim data and brings start-up back to Samsung NVME speed. Unfortunately, from what I have read, it is not possible to reset trim back to zero by any other method. That said, each Mac o/s is different and I believe earlier o/s could reset trim through Terminal. I am uncertain about that. With Ventura, the way out is resell the Samsung Evo Pro and buy a WD Black which is proven compatible.

 

[stradify]

Just upgraded a late 2015 iMac 17,1 EMC 2834 with a 1TB Western Digital Black SN850x using the Sintech M2 NGFF adapter. Also installed a 1TB Crucial MX500 SATA SSD. Everything is working flawlessly, no sleep-wake issues.

cybertoad,
Why did you choose the SN850x over the SN770? Also, did you implement the Terminal command for sleep/hibernation?
How's the iMac been running?

 

[demms]

I have iMac 2017. After 1.5 years my Samsung Evo plus(installed via adapter) died. It always had high temperatures and had no any heatsink on it. Local store refunded my money, they offer replacement to new Samsung, but I took money.
Thanks guys, for your posts here, so I didn't buy new hot Samsung and took WD black sn-770 1tb. Installed with same aliexpress adapter(same as Sintech M2 NGFF) and no heatsink.
System installed 3 times -first high Sierra, then Catalina, last - Big Sur, no any problems with hibernation, write/read speeds 2700/2900 mbs, full trim support. Maybe Im wrong, but I think whole system working much faster than Samsung Evo.
And last important thing - temperatures of wd black are great. I have no heatsink on it. System idle 29-31C, light use 34-36C. Also I runned black magic disk test for 5mins, highest temperature I can get - 67C.
I copied my 100gb files on it and temperature was 47C.
I ordered heatsink, but now I think temperatures of wd black are quite good, so maybe I left it as is.

 

[steve123]

After 1.5 years my Samsung Evo plus(installed via adapter) died. It always had high temperatures and had no any heatsink on it. Local store refunded my money, they offer replacement to new Samsung, but I took money.

Interesting. I am having a problem with a Samsung 980 PRO I installed into my Mac Pro 6,1 about 2 years ago (very long boot time, user interface is "stop and go", a lot of beach balls after boot, excessive time spent doing TRIM). I wonder if this could be considered a warranty issue and I could have my SSD refunded?

 

[demms]

My Samsung evo plus (with phoenix controller) had status: failing. I was able to copy information from it, but can’t write any byte there and can’t format it using disk utility. And yes I had problems with trim also, few weeks before fault I deleted almost 300gb from it and Samsung didnt show free space 2 days.

 

[dictoresno]

That's nice! It's surprising because according to description on Amazon, Sintech doesn't support WD Black SN770.

my impression from reading that was that is does work in general but specifically NOT for the MacBook Pro and Air (its indicated in red). however for other models it should be fine. its definitely poor wording.

I just grabbed an SN770 Black after re-reading the Sintech amazon page again to install on my late 2015 21.5 inch non-4K. I purchased a used logic board in order to upgrade to 16GB RAM and luckily the board has the PCIe slot installed (it must've been one of the rarer 21.5 non 4K late 2015's with a Fusion Drive.

I originally bought a Samsung 970 Evo Plus, figuring by now the TRIM issues were addressed and fixed. but after reading the entire thread front to back, I decided to cancel the order and get the WD SN770 instead. Im happily running WD drives externally for file storage, NAS, and internally in my Mac mini server (1TB SN570 NVMe paired with a 2TB WD Blue internal 2.5). so I'm glad I can go with WD again.

anyone try swapping the NVMe drive on a late 2015 21.5 non 4K with a factory installed PCIe connector? there's like ZERO info, they are all about the 27 inch only.

 

[Utlrarunner]

I purchased a used 2019 iMac 27" base and would am considering upgrading the blade and sata to 2tb each. I have been through much of this thread and at times it gets easy to get confused. I use my computer for the usually home stuff internet and Raw photo editing (not a pro, family photos from RAW for Nikon D810 36 megapixel sensor). I would like I currently have about 600 gig of used space and figure 2 tb would suffice for several years?

I'm looking for suggestions of current NVME to replace the blade and Sata SSD that will be compatible and reliable without to much hassle? Or does this just really turn into persistent issues?

Lastly has anyone ever considered cutting an opening into the back of the case a little larger than the blade? Aluminum is soft and would be a quick and easy job with a dremel once everything is removed for the upgrade. Maybe a larger heat sink could be utilized on the blade and would allow for easy access in the future for changes.

Thanks in advance

 

[steve123]

I'm looking for suggestions of current NVME to replace the blade and Sata SSD that will be compatible and reliable without to much hassle? Or does this just really turn into persistent issues?

You can get a 4TB Crucial MX500 for a good price. For the NVMe blade, a SN850X and a Sintech NGFF adapter.

If you want to avoid opening up the iMac, get a TB4/3 SSD enclosure for a NVMe blade And plug it into one of the TB3 ports On the iMac.

 

[Utlrarunner]

You can get a 4TB Crucial MX500 for a good price. For the NVMe blade, a SN850X and a Sintech NGFF adapter.

If you want to avoid opening up the iMac, get a TB4/3 SSD enclosure for a NVMe blade And plug it into one of the TB3 ports IOn the iMac.

My CPU is the 3.0 i5 8500, would I see much additional benefit to upgrade the CPU to the 3.7 i5 9600? I think used prices look reasonable. The i9 sells for to much for my consideration.

Thanks for the advice! There has been a lot of price movement with M.2 drives lately which is why I asked. I'm not afraid to open the iMac, honestly at an entry price of $450 risk is pretty low and I am a 50 year old DIYer from homes to cars and many computers over the years. I'm not afraid of carefully opening an iMac. I've watched several different tutorials on the subject.

This also bring me back to cutting an opening in the case while I'm in there. My iMac backs up to a closed hutch computer desk that doesn't allow much back visibilty, I doubt anyone would notice. It would allow easy future changes to the blade and I could put a deep heat sink on the nvme drive that would allow for significant cooling. I have a Sabrent PCIe card from my old Mac Pro that would make a great heat sink.

 

[steve123]

This also bring me back to cutting an opening in the case while I'm in there.

This is an interesting idea. If you know someone that has a CNC and 3D printer, you could 3D print a jig to hold the iMac case to the bed of the CNC and machine the slot. Then 3D print a cover for the slot. Of course, assuming the NVMe slot is on the correct side and there is nothing else in the way.

 

[steve123]

My CPU is the 3.0 i5 8500, would I see much additional benefit to upgrade the CPU to the 3.7 i5 9600?

I am not the best guy to give advice on Intel CPU upgrades since I have not done one myself. You might consider to save the money for an Apple Silicon Mac Pro ... that is going to be a nice machine when it is announced at WWDC this year.

 

[dictoresno]

Ok so I completed my logic board swap and blade NVMe drive installation....

Blade Upgrade

Device: Late 2015 iMac, 21.5 EMC:2889 - 16,2 - (2.8Ghz i5, used 16GB RAM logic board with PCIe port (originally a Fusion)
Blade upgrade: none (empty OEM slot) -> 2TB WD Black 770
Speed test: Untested
OS: Ventura 13.2.1 using OCLP v0.6.2
Location: US
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: the computer will not wake from normal sleep. when I get back to the computer, it appears to have shut down and need to hold the power button to boot it up. upon reboot, it reports an error occurred and then boots up normally. I used the terminal command hibernate 25 instead and disable standby to see if it helps.

here is the crash log I received. I thought the late 2015's that originally came with a fusion drive by now would've been supported enough that these sleep/wake issues would've been resolved. seeing that some of the information in this thread is years old, are there any updated fixes for this besides the terminal commands?

panic(cpu 1 caller 0xffffff8016de6676): nvme: "3rd party NVMe controller. PCI link down. Delete IO submission queue. fBuiltIn=1 MODEL=WD_BLACK SN770 2TB FW=731100WD CSTS=0xffffffff US[1]=0x0 US[0]=0x0 VID=0xffff DID=0xffff CRITICAL_WARNING=0x0.\n" @IONVMeController.cpp:6151

Panicked task 0xffffff95168a6208: 243 threads: pid 0: kernel_task

Backtrace (CPU 1), panicked thread: 0xffffff904b3170c8, Frame : Return Address

0xffffffa0a35efae0 : 0xffffff80145eb38d mach_kernel : _handle_debugger_trap + 0x4ad

0xffffffa0a35efb30 : 0xffffff8014758ed6 mach_kernel : _kdp_i386_trap + 0x116

0xffffffa0a35efb70 : 0xffffff8014748120 mach_kernel : _kernel_trap + 0x3e0

0xffffffa0a35efbc0 : 0xffffff8014585951 mach_kernel : _return_from_trap + 0xc1

0xffffffa0a35efbe0 : 0xffffff80145eb66d mach_kernel : _DebuggerTrapWithState + 0x5d

0xffffffa0a35efcd0 : 0xffffff80145ead19 mach_kernel : _panic_trap_to_debugger + 0x1a9

0xffffffa0a35efd30 : 0xffffff8014de072b mach_kernel : _panic + 0x84

0xffffffa0a35efe20 : 0xffffff8016de6676 com.apple.iokit.IONVMeFamily : __ZN16IONVMeController14CommandTimeoutEP16AppleNVMeRequest.cold.1

0xffffffa0a35efe30 : 0xffffff8016dc97db com.apple.iokit.IONVMeFamily : __ZN16IONVMeController13FatalHandlingEv + 0x141

0xffffffa0a35efe60 : 0xffffff8016dc9671 com.apple.iokit.IONVMeFamily : __ZN16IONVMeController11ThreadEntryEv + 0x333

0xffffffa0a35efea0 : 0xffffff8014644c98 mach_kernel : _thread_call_delayed_timer + 0x528

0xffffffa0a35efee0 : 0xffffff8014645d4b mach_kernel : _thread_call_delayed_timer + 0x15db

0xffffffa0a35effa0 : 0xffffff801458519e mach_kernel : _call_continuation + 0x2e

Kernel Extensions in backtrace:

com.apple.iokit.IONVMeFamily(2.1)[C334C31D-7F48-3BE5-A0A4-108210D621D0]@0xffffff8016dc1000->0xffffff8016dedfff

dependency: com.apple.driver.AppleMobileFileIntegrity(1.0.5)[DB38BB35-D38C-3110-9B53-0D2927F702CF]@0xffffff8015bc5000->0xffffff8015bf3fff

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[802B9CA4-B851-396E-8DA4-B30E751EC48F]@0xffffff8017059000->0xffffff8017088fff

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOReportFamily(47)[D8F664BF-70CB-3596-A4D5-35E72EBC36EE]@0xffffff801709a000->0xffffff801709cfff

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily(2.1)[62F2C392-9547-33CB-8E12-6F77B7B052AF]@0xffffff801718c000->0xffffff80171a2fff



Process name corresponding to current thread (0xffffff904b3170c8): kernel_task

Boot args: keepsyms=1 debug=0x100 ipc_control_port_options=0 -nokcmismatchpanic



Mac OS version:

22D68



Kernel version:

Darwin Kernel Version 22.3.0: Mon Jan 30 20:42:11 PST 2023; root:xnu-8792.81.3~2/RELEASE_X86_64

Kernel UUID: 10E5D254-4A37-3A2A-B560-E6956A093ADE

roots installed: 0

KernelCache slide: 0x0000000014200000

KernelCache base: 0xffffff8014400000

Kernel slide: 0x00000000142dc000

Kernel text base: 0xffffff80144dc000

__HIB text base: 0xffffff8014300000

System model name: iMac16,2 (Mac-FFE5EF870D7BA81A)

System shutdown begun: NO

Panic diags file available: YES (0x0)

Hibernation exit count: 0

 

[steve123]

panic(cpu 1 caller 0xffffff8016de6676): nvme: "3rd party NVMe controller. PCI link down. Delete IO submission queue.

What version is your System Firmware (see System Information)? If the logic board was running an older version of macOS, it is possible the firmware hasn't been updated to support third party NVMe drives. If it is an older firmware, it may only be possible to update the firmware by installing an original Apple OEM SSD and then doing a clean install of Big Sur 11.7.5 or Monterey 12.6.4.

If possible, trying using Big Sur or Monterey with OCLP initially. Ventura is still a work in progress.

 

[zzzippp]

Hi, I am looking at upgrading a 2019 iMac 19,1 that I just got, which is currently running macOS Monterey 12.6.4, and so has firmware version 1968.100.16.0.1, same as it would be if running the latest version of Ventura (according firmware versions listed out of this page on The Electric Light Company's website).

With the long history of TRIM issues with the Samsung EVO 970 Plus, I've ruled that out, and basically skipping any other Samsung NVMe blades to use for my upgrade. After a bunch of researching and reading of reviews of various choices, I have settled on deciding between a known-working option of an XPG SX8200 Pro 2TB or the Kingston Fury Renegade 2TB.

I understand I would not be tapping into the faster PCIe Gen 4 x4 interface of the Kingston, but at the Gen 3 x4 speeds of my 2019 iMac it compares very favorably against the SX8200 Pro, and has a TBW rating of 2,000 to boot. Also, Kingston has it on sale for an amazing $150 US right now! The only problem is I cannot find any information at all about anyone trying to install Kingston Fury Renegade as a NVMe M.2 upgrade in a new model (2017-2020) iMac. All I know is that it uses a Phison E18 controller with Micron 176-layer TLC, so in theory, it should work in my 2019 iMac.

The only reference I've found so far about a Fury Renegade in a Mac is one recent report of a 1TB blade working in a 2013 "Trash Can" Mac Pro 6,1 on the Mac Rumors Forums here, though they don't mention whether they are booting from it or not. Does anyone here know of anyone who's seen success with the Fury Renegade installed in a new model Intel-based Mac?

On the other hand, the SX8200 Pro isn't their best offering, but I know from reports on this thread that it will work great - in fact, I use one as my macOS Monterey boot drive on my 2010 Mac Pro 5,1 with close to max-rated speeds thanks to the PCI to NVMe card installed in it. @Terraaustralis has mentioned the faster SX8600 Pro, but that's not sold in the US market, and it's not clear what the equivalent model number is that's sold here in the 'states (if there is an equivalent). However, the main thing that makes me lean back towards the Fury Renegade choice is that in 2020, ADATA switched to producing the SX8200 Pro with a slower controller and NAND as reported on Tom's Hardware site here. So at a low $107 US for the 2TB blade, it seems to fit the "you get what you pay for" saying.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[steve123]

The only problem is I cannot find any information at all about anyone trying to install Kingston Fury Renegade as a NVMe M.2 upgrade in a new model (2017-2020) iMac.

I am using the Kingston Fury Renegade 1TB SSD in my Mac Pro 6,1 as the main disk (boot drive) and it is working well. It performs much better than the Samsung 980 PRO I was using prior to the Kingston. At some point after Monterey 12.5.1, the Samsung 980 PRO would cause the OS to "stop and go" which was worse than a beach ball because the entire GUI froze for up to several minutes. At boot, the Kingston SSD TRIM process takes an order of magnitude less time to complete than the Samsung and the time per TRIM is likewise an order of magnitude faster. I use an NGFF adapter in the Mac Pro. Also, the temperature sensor shows the Kingston SSD is consistently running more than 20 degrees cooler than the Samsung. I chose to try the Kingston SSD because of its better endurance and lower power consumption compared to other NVMe SSD's.

 

[dksp]

Hi all.

I am about to order a Samsung 980 Pro 2TB for my iMac 2017 5K 27" with Fusion Drive.
There are two options, with or without heatsink. Which one is recommended?

Tried to find the answer here… but no luck.

 

[Franjelisco]

Hi all.

I am about to order a Samsung 980 Pro 2TB for my iMac 2017 5K 27" with Fusion Drive.
There are two options, with or without heatsink. Which one is recommended?

Tried to find the answer here… but no luck.

The heatsink option seems to be for the PlayStation 5 which drives up a lot of heat and needs a big heatsink. FYI, the heatsink must not add more than 3mm of thickness or it would not fit otherwise. You can buy a heatsink separately but depending on your usage, you might as well skip it altogether.

 

[dksp]

Thank you for your reply Franjelisco.

Samsung sells the 980 Pro with or without heatsink and the specifications are on their site. The heatsink adds over 6 mm.
- without heatsink: 80 x 22 x 2.3 mm
- with heatsink: 80 x 24 x 8.6 mm

I want to use this in my iMac 5K 27" 2017 as the main drive. SSD only, not configured a fusion drive. The Mac currently has the factory 2TB Fusion Drive, but the Seagate hard drive is defective. The SSD blade hase 68% of lifespan left according to DriveDX. So while the Mac is open, I want to replace both SSD and hard drive, but not configure them as a fusion drive, but as two separate volumes. I use it as a graphics designer using Adobe Creative Cloud (mainly InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, XD, Acrobat but also After Effects, Premiere, Audition)

Would a heatsink be needed in this configuration and usage?

 

[steve123]

I am about to order a Samsung 980 Pro 2TB for my iMac 2017 5K 27" with Fusion Drive

Warning, there are a lot of problems with Samsung NVMe SSD TRIM support in macOS. You might want to consider a different SSD.

 

[demms]

Samsung is very very hot, even if u have heatsink, iMac is closed, almost no air inside. Plus Samsung trim problems. My
Samsung evo(with previous good controller) died after just 1.5 years of light use in my iMac. That’s why I installed wd black now

 

[steve123]

Samsung is very very hot, even if u have heatsink

My Kingston Fury Renegade SSD runs more than 20 degrees C cooler than the Samsung 980 PRO I was using in my Mac Pro 6,1.