Has anyone tried to ADD SSD to 2011 imac for HDD+SSD?

[CTopher]

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Sounds like a plan. Will do that this weekend and report back in case others have similar issues.

Don't do this, that's a stupid idea and will likely leave metal shavings inside your system. That is useless unless you used the crappiest cable you could fine. Most cables are perfectly fine.

I had the same problem after installing my Intel 510 and WD 3TB drive. Just reset the SMC and PRAM. That is all you need to do. I would do the PRAM a couple of times, power down after next chime, unplug power and hold the power button for a min or so. That should be all you need to do.


Christopher

 

[iLidz]

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Sounds like a plan. Will do that this weekend and report back in case others have similar issues.

Don't do this, that's a stupid idea and will likely leave metal shavings inside your system. That is useless unless you used the crappiest cable you could fine. Most cables are perfectly fine.

I had the same problem after installing my Intel 510 and WD 3TB drive. Just reset the SMC and PRAM. That is all you need to do. I would do the PRAM a couple of times, power down after next chime, unplug power and hold the power button for a min or so. That should be all you need to do.


Christopher

Thanks for posting this info. I'm glad I read it before I tore back into the machine. I will give your suggestions a try. This is the type of info I was hoping to hear. Thanks!

 

[iLidz]

CTopher,

Thanks for the info. Resetting the SMC fixed the issue with the negotiated link speed. Link speed was good after the SMC reset but I reset the PRAM as well just for good measure. Rookie mistake on my part. I'm really glad the cable from microsatacables.com worked out. For anyone interested, their cable has the correct slimline sata connector needed for the 2011 iMac on one end and the correct data data and power combo connector on the other end AND I'M GETTING 6 GB/S SPEEDS to my Intel 510! I'm so glad I didn't have to open 'er back up

Again thanks for the info. A reminder to those going the DIY route for an SSD install: remember to reset the SMC and PRAM after you get the hardware into your machine! It only took me 1 hr and 45 min using chargedpc's awesome guide and I've never even been inside an iMac before. Definitley not a job everyone would want to take on but documented well enough for a new-b like me to handle!

The intel 510 isn't the fastest option out there, I know, but my machine is flying with a clean Lion install!

 

[CTopher]

CTopher,

Thanks for the info. Resetting the SMC fixed the issue with the negotiated link speed. Link speed was good after the SMC reset but I reset the PRAM as well just for good measure. Rookie mistake on my part. I'm really glad the cable from microsatacables.com worked out. For anyone interested, their cable has the correct slimline sata connector needed for the 2011 iMac on one end and the correct data data and power combo connector on the other end AND I'M GETTING 6 GB/S SPEEDS to my Intel 510! I'm so glad I didn't have to open 'er back up

Again thanks for the info. A reminder to those going the DIY route for an SSD install: remember to reset the SMC and PRAM after you get the hardware into your machine! It only took me 1 hr and 45 min using chargedpc's awesome guide and I've never even been inside an iMac before. Definitley not a job everyone would want to take on but documented well enough for a new-b like me to handle!

The intel 510 isn't the fastest option out there, I know, but my machine is flying with a clean Lion install!

Image

Good deal, glad to hear your all set. I couldnt wait on my install and did the y power and had no power/fan issue except the 2 day old WD drive fail on me. . So I ordered the same cable and am going to pull out the failed HD and install my new cable today.


Christopher

 

[fromeout11]

Has anybody found pictures of a 2011 iMac w/BTO SSD?

After a struggle I am finally happy with my 27" mid-2011 iMac with 120GB Vertex 3, and no fan problems. However, I'd really like to see how Apple is implementing their own SSD install... just out of curiosity.

 

[Dresevski]

After a struggle I am finally happy with my 27" mid-2011 iMac with 120GB Vertex 3, and no fan problems. However, I'd really like to see how Apple is implementing their own SSD install... just out of curiosity.

There are some pictures. Basically there are some "permanent" mount points attached/stamped to the back of the case that the SSD screws into. Then it has their proprietary cable pre-plugged to the motherboard and routed up to the open space. Not that different from the aftermarket installs, just looks a little nicer.

 

[fromeout11]

RE: Has anybody found pictures of a 2011 iMac w/BTO SSD?

I found a few of them, and they have me wondering whether it would be worth it to crack the case again and move the SSD to where Apple has theirs (under the ODD). It does make me slightly nervous that the cables for the SSD are currently pressed against the GPU heat pipes by the SSD itself.

 

[klo1978]

I found a few of them, and they have me wondering whether it would be worth it to crack the case again and move the SSD to where Apple has theirs (under the ODD). It does make me slightly nervous that the cables for the SSD are currently pressed against the GPU heat pipes by the SSD itself.

There is lots of room under the ODD. I used two sided 3M foam tape to attach the SSD there. I also notched the pressure wall ever so slightly so that I could route the cables without squeezing anything, seems to work really well. I too did not feel comfortable with my original placement under the heat sync.

 

[iLidz]

There is lots of room under the ODD. I used two sided 3M foam tape to attach the SSD there. I also notched the pressure wall ever so slightly so that I could route the cables without squeezing anything, seems to work really well. I too did not feel comfortable with my original placement under the heat sync.

This is exactly what I did. The SSD fits nicely under the ODD. In addition to notching the wall for cable clearance, I also taped a section of the cable down to eliminate the chance of the cable coming in contact with the fan nearby. Apple seems to use the same technique of taping cables throughout the rest of the machine so I figured why not? What I was thinking throughout the install was worse case scenario....I wanted the SSD to be easily accessible in case I needed to take it back out for whatever reason. Putting it under the ODD would make this a bit easier

Also, for those wondering, I am using TRIM enabler with the Intel 510 and Lion without any issues .....yet!

 

[paol]

This is exactly what I did. The SSD fits nicely under the ODD. In addition to notching the wall for cable clearance, I also taped a section of the cable down to eliminate the chance of the cable coming in contact with the fan nearby. Apple seems to use the same technique of taping cables throughout the rest of the machine so I figured why not? What I was thinking throughout the install was worse case scenario....I wanted the SSD to be easily accessible in case I needed to take it back out for whatever reason. Putting it under the ODD would make this a bit easier

I tried this placement, didn't like it. It fits just fine but I was a bit worried that it will disrupt the airflow from the fan in the bottom to the heat sink in the top if I put the SSD in between.

I put it under the heat pipes instead, just enough room there, nothing to remove if I need to exchange it and no airflow to disrupt.

As you said, there is plenty of room under the ODD and I am sure the cooling will be fine, it just didn't feel as good in my opinion.

 

[klo1978]

I tried this placement, didn't like it. It fits just fine but I was a bit worried that it will disrupt the airflow from the fan in the bottom to the heat sink in the top if I put the SSD in between.

I put it under the heat pipes instead, just enough room there, nothing to remove if I need to exchange it and no airflow to disrupt.

As you said, there is plenty of room under the ODD and I am sure the cooling will be fine, it just didn't feel as good in my opinion.

The other factor for me is I believe in the 2011 iMac, under the ODD is where Apple places the SSD.

 

[iLidz]

The other factor for me is I believe in the 2011 iMac, under the ODD is where Apple places the SSD.

This was my thought as well. The good news here is we have choices at least for those with a 27" chassis. I'm also planning on replacing my internal ODD drive with a blu ray drive so I figured I would be taking the ODD drive out again in the not so distant future, just in case I needed to access the SSD again....

 

[Dresevski]

This was my thought as well. The good news here is we have choices at least for those with a 27" chassis. I'm also planning on replacing my internal ODD drive with a blu ray drive so I figured I would be taking the ODD drive out again in the not so distant future, just in case I needed to access the SSD again....

Which slimline blu-ray are you thinking? Not worth it to pay $999 for the option to play blu-ray in windows.

 

[panzer06]

Which slimline blu-ray are you thinking? Not worth it to pay $999 for the option to play blu-ray in windows.

Try $69 to $129 on eBay. iMacs use STD 12.7 mm Slot load ODD. It's the MBP that has 9.5mm only.

Cheers,

 

[c613m]

I just wanted to thank everyone in this thread for providing all this information. I'm currently awaiting my Slimline 13 pin SATA to 22 pin SATA cable to install a 60GB OCZ Agility 3. I couldn't have figured it out without all the knowledge on this thread.

Hopefully the install will go well in my 2011 iMac!

Quick question: What would be recommended in order to update the OCZ firmware? I'm think of installing a copy of Win 7 before the install, get the drive in there, go to the Bootcamp partition after it's in the machine, upgrade firmware and then install Lion on the SSD when the firmware has been updated.

Any additional advice would be great!

 

[krisdr]

Can anybody confirm that the upgrade setup below will work? No fans spinning full speed etc...

- 120GB OCZ Agility 3
- Slimline 13 pin SATA to 22 pin SATA cable (http://www.microsatacables.com/all-products/slimline-13-pin-sata-female-to-22-pin-sata-female-cable/)

Should I connect the slimline cable to SATA 1 on the motherboard and leave the HDD connected to SATA 2?
Do I need any other cables?


Thanks!

 

[c613m]

Can anybody confirm that the upgrade setup below will work? No fans spinning full speed etc...

- 120GB OCZ Agility 3
- Slimline 13 pin SATA to 22 pin SATA cable (http://www.microsatacables.com/all-products/slimline-13-pin-sata-female-to-22-pin-sata-female-cable/)

Should I connect the slimline cable to SATA 1 on the motherboard and leave the HDD connected to SATA 2?
Do I need any other cables?


Thanks!

I'm pretty much doing the exact same installation. And from I've read, just plug the cable into the empty SATA port and you should be good to go. It's exactly how I'm going to do the install and I've been reading up on it all week. I don't think it will be a problem. No other cables needed.

 

[krisdr]

I'm pretty much doing the exact same installation. And from I've read, just plug the cable into the empty SATA port and you should be good to go. It's exactly how I'm going to do the install and I've been reading up on it all week. I don't think it will be a problem. No other cables needed.

Ok, thanks for your quick reply. Please let me know how your installation went and that you have problems with the fans or not.

Btw, you have mid 2011 iMac right?

Greetz

 

[bakura]

I'm pretty much doing the exact same installation. And from I've read, just plug the cable into the empty SATA port and you should be good to go. It's exactly how I'm going to do the install and I've been reading up on it all week. I don't think it will be a problem. No other cables needed.

Is there a problem to plug the SSD using the cable that was on the original HDD ?

 

[c613m]

Ok, thanks for your quick reply. Please let me know how your installation went and that you have problems with the fans or not.

Btw, you have mid 2011 iMac right?

Greetz

Yup have 2011 iMac. Waiting on cable to do the installation. Should arrive next week

 

[Dresevski]

Is there a problem to plug the SSD using the cable that was on the original HDD ?

Yes, that will cause the fans to spin up. Simply take the 13 to 22-pin cable and plug it into the empty SATA slot. No problems for me, and those are the steps I took.

Keep in mind that the SSD belongs behind the optical drive, technically, but you may also put it right next to the HDD.

 

[bakura]

Yes, that will cause the fans to spin up. Simply take the 13 to 22-pin cable and plug it into the empty SATA slot. No problems for me, and those are the steps I took.

Keep in mind that the SSD belongs behind the optical drive, technically, but you may also put it right next to the HDD.

I just want to replace the HDD by the SSD. So I have to remove the old HDD cable (as it won't be used anymore), or do I have to let it plugged in order to avoid fans going crazy ?

 

[Jurpl]

Yes, that will cause the fans to spin up. Simply take the 13 to 22-pin cable and plug it into the empty SATA slot. No problems for me, and those are the steps I took.

Keep in mind that the SSD belongs behind the optical drive, technically, but you may also put it right next to the HDD.

I placed it near the harddisk because I think it's much better for the airflow.

 

[c613m]

I just want to replace the HDD by the SSD. So I have to remove the old HDD cable (as it won't be used anymore), or do I have to let it plugged in order to avoid fans going crazy ?

Is there a reason why you're removing the HDD? Especially if you're putting in an SSD, I would keep the HDD too. There's room for both.

 

[bakura]

Is there a reason why you're removing the HDD? Especially if you're putting in an SSD, I would keep the HDD too. There's room for both.

There's two reasons :

1) My Caviar Black makes a lot of noise (well, it's not THAT noisy, but I can easily hear it even 3 meters far, so I can't sleep with it).

2) I never used more that 100 Gb (well, I did, but only with RAW photos), so I would like to install a 120 Gb so I don't have to move my user folder (120 Gb is really enough for me), and buying an external hard drive just to put my RAW photos (with Aperture you can easily move the library).