Does my 2013 iMac have a PCIe storage slot?

[masterjorn]

I bought a late 2013 21.5" iMac, with a 2.9GHz i5, a 750m, and a standard 5400rpm HDD (NOT A FUSION DRIVE!). I want to install an Apple Blade SSD, but I heard that 21.5" iMac models that came with the standard hard drive don't have the PCIe storage slot, is that true? Im fine with using a 2.5" ssd, but I would prefer to use apples PCIe SSD (and OWC's in-line thermal adapter is ripping expensive!).

Thank you for your time! I want to get a PCIe SSD, but I don't want to buy one and find out I can't install it. I also don't want to buy a 2.5" ssd and find out I could have got a PCIe SSD!

 

[Zdigital2015]

I bought a late 2013 21.5" iMac, with a 2.9GHz i5, a 750m, and a standard 5400rpm HDD (NOT A FUSION DRIVE!). I want to install an Apple Blade SSD, but I heard that 21.5" iMac models that came with the standard hard drive don't have the PCIe storage slot, is that true? Im fine with using a 2.5" ssd, but I would prefer to use apples PCIe SSD (and OWC's in-line thermal adapter is ripping expensive!).

Thank you for your time! I want to get a PCIe SSD, but I don't want to buy one and find out I can't install it. I also don't want to buy a 2.5" ssd and find out I could have got a PCIe SSD!

Unless you’re prepared to pull the logic board out to upgrade the DRAM as well, I would humbly suggest just installing a 2.5” SATA SSD and calling it a day. A 2013 iMac has a limited life as it is now and any difference in speed between a PCIe SSD and a 2.5” SATA SSD is not going to be noticeable during your average day to day work (700MB/s vs 530MB/s). You would also be able to get a larger capacity 2.5” SSD cheaper and not have to disassemble the interior of the iMac to put in. Just my 2¢.

 

[masterjorn]

Unless you’re prepared to pull the logic board out to upgrade the DRAM as well, I would humbly suggest just installing a 2.5” SATA SSD and calling it a day. A 2013 iMac has a limited life as it is now and any difference in speed between a PCIe SSD and a 2.5” SATA SSD is not going to be noticeable during your average day to day work (700MB/s vs 530MB/s). You would also be able to get a larger capacity 2.5” SSD cheaper and not have to disassemble the interior of the iMac to put in. Just my 2¢.

Thanks for the reply! I’m know what I’m getting into, and have taken apart many Apple computers, including iMacs, so I know what I’m doing 😁.

I just wanted to know if the port was there. I saw in the ifixit tear down of the late 2013 models that there was an empty PCIe slot. But I wanted to know for sure before I bite the bullet.

Not to mention that it’s actually more expensive to buy a 2.5” ssd when you include the OWC inline thermal sensor, than to just buy an Apple blade ssd.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Thanks for the reply! I’m know what I’m getting into, and have taken apart many Apple computers, including iMacs, so I know what I’m doing 😁.

I just wanted to know if the port was there. I saw in the ifixit tear down of the late 2013 models that there was an empty PCIe slot. But I wanted to know for sure before I bite the bullet.

Not to mention that it’s actually more expensive to buy a 2.5” ssd when you include the OWC inline thermal sensor, than to just buy an Apple blade ssd.

You may be able to get a decent price on an SSAUX SSD over at BEETSTECH - https://beetstech.com/product/a1418-2013-solid-state-drive

They sell a motherboard for the Late 2013 21.5” as well (Core i5 2.9GHz), so you should be good to go.

You might consider picking up a Core i7 4770S

if you’re using a Late 2013 21-5”, every indication I have seen on MacTracker, BEETSTECH and iFixit is that the model you own has a PCIe slot even if it came with only an HDD. Good luck!

 

[TwoH]

If you have the LCD already detached, you should be able to see two plastic bits, and some of the metal parts soldered to where the ssd would fit in to the other side.
And an FYI for fitting a 2.5" ssd into your machine, you shouldn't need an OWC temperature sensor for it - as far as I'm aware, it will only ramp the fans up for HDDs.

 

[masterjorn]

You may be able to get a decent price on an SSAUX SSD over at BEETSTECH - https://beetstech.com/product/a1418-2013-solid-state-drive

They sell a motherboard for the Late 2013 21.5” as well (Core i5 2.9GHz), so you should be good to go.

You might consider picking up a Core i7 4770S

if you’re using a Late 2013 21-5”, every indication I have seen on MacTracker, BEETSTECH and iFixit is that the model you own has a PCIe slot even if it came with only an HDD. Good luck!

Thank you! I probably won’t be upgrading the mobo, as a quad core i5 is like a threadripper compared to the 2009 core 2 duo I have right now 😂. Atleast I can buy my ssd with confidence now.