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Has anyone tried to ADD SSD to 2011 imac for HDD+SSD?
- Thread starter Crwoo
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Some correction.
I mixed up the Sata 0 and Sata 2.
The correct positions should be like below.
Before upgrade SSD.
The cable inside is right now:
SATA 0 = official SATA cable (with power) connecting to 1T HDD
SATA 1 = empty
SATA 2 = Optical Drive
After upgrading (adding) to SSD
The cabling would be:
SATA 0 (and HDD power) = SATA cable connecting HDD's SATA, Y-split power to HDD's Power.
SATA 1 = SSD with 3rd party SSD cable and a Y-split power
SATA 2 = Optical Drive
I mixed up the Sata 0 and Sata 2.
The correct positions should be like below.
Before upgrade SSD.
The cable inside is right now:
SATA 0 = official SATA cable (with power) connecting to 1T HDD
SATA 1 = empty
SATA 2 = Optical Drive
After upgrading (adding) to SSD
The cabling would be:
SATA 0 (and HDD power) = SATA cable connecting HDD's SATA, Y-split power to HDD's Power.
SATA 1 = SSD with 3rd party SSD cable and a Y-split power
SATA 2 = Optical Drive
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Sorry, I didn't take a close up photo. Let me re-post the previous pictures for reference.
However, I just purchased the exactly same cables posted in this previous thread.
For the SATA cable, I just purchased Sata 2, I couldn't find any labeled as Sata 3. It still works and linked up to 6G.
However, I just purchased the exactly same cables posted in this previous thread.
For the SATA cable, I just purchased Sata 2, I couldn't find any labeled as Sata 3. It still works and linked up to 6G.
Attachments
For the fan speed, I think my iStat menus 3 has problem.
I turned on the fan speed monitor, but I disable the fan control.
However, I realized my iMac still follow the fan speed setting in iStat menus 3. This problem doesn't exist before I upgrade SSD.
FYI, before upgrading SSD, when my system is not in high loading, the fan speeds are about 1000 for CPU, HDD, and Optical drive. And when it is in high loading it went up to about 1800 for 3 fans.
How, all fans are always follow the iStat's setting...
I am thinking to install iMac Fan Control to solve this problem.
I turned on the fan speed monitor, but I disable the fan control.
However, I realized my iMac still follow the fan speed setting in iStat menus 3. This problem doesn't exist before I upgrade SSD.
FYI, before upgrading SSD, when my system is not in high loading, the fan speeds are about 1000 for CPU, HDD, and Optical drive. And when it is in high loading it went up to about 1800 for 3 fans.
How, all fans are always follow the iStat's setting...
I am thinking to install iMac Fan Control to solve this problem.
Thanks so much for the pictures,
on the fan issue have you had the experience of the fans slowly building up until they run very fast and very loudly?
What I am curious about is, did you have to fix the fan issue with software controls or did they seem to run correctly with out software.
on the fan issue have you had the experience of the fans slowly building up until they run very fast and very loudly?
What I am curious about is, did you have to fix the fan issue with software controls or did they seem to run correctly with out software.
There is no such thing as Sata 2 or Sata 3 cables... They are all the same. Some companies sell them as Sata 2 for some reason - probably because that is the one most used. However, Sata 3 devices are backward compatible with Sata 2 cables. ;-)
- Joe
Can anyone confirm that the right angle Satan data cable will fit inside the iMac??? Chargedpc says it won't work... Maybe they just don't know?
Will this cable work?
Will this slimline connector fit the SSD?
It appears it will fit the LB.
22 Pin SATA Female to Female Data Power Cable for HDD:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180650813025&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
Thanks ... Ken
Will this slimline connector fit the SSD?
It appears it will fit the LB.
22 Pin SATA Female to Female Data Power Cable for HDD:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180650813025&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
Thanks ... Ken
I plugged the right angle (90 degree) SATA cable to the motherboard, and the straight end to the SSD.
Now, I am using that iMac to reply this post.
okay, like I said, ChargedPC said the 90 degree Sata cable will not fit on the motherboard because it is so close to all other cables there. Thanks Arcadeez! I am doing mine as soon as I get my box from UPS - I am going to record everything too so I can post it on YouTube!
- Joe
I would go with the Y-Splitter for power and separate Sata data cable as every article has posted I think it has something to do with fan/heat issues.
- Joe
Actually, after I successfully installing SSD, I found it may not be the SATA cable to prevent me to put back the MB. It is the RAM!
I you can correctly locate the RAM's location, you will be easily put back the MB.
So, I guess (really just a guess), 2-side straight may also do the job.
You know what. When I am buying the SATA cable. There is a "server grade" (a nice looking SATA cable with both straight side) to choose, but I chose the right-angle and Straight side, because I read many users and did the same and successful.
I you can correctly locate the RAM's location, you will be easily put back the MB.
So, I guess (really just a guess), 2-side straight may also do the job.
You know what. When I am buying the SATA cable. There is a "server grade" (a nice looking SATA cable with both straight side) to choose, but I chose the right-angle and Straight side, because I read many users and did the same and successful.
Awesome - Did you use tape to hold your SSD there? I am thinking about going to Home Depot and getting some hardware to rig up my own little bracket for mine. We'll see UPS can't get here fast enough!!!
- Joe
Anybody else waiting for the proper parts so there isn't any fan/temp issues? I figure it would be best to do it the way Apple sets it up from the factory with the BTO SSD like in this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1178786/
I'm hesitant to jerry-rig such a fine machine.
I'm hesitant to jerry-rig such a fine machine.
Awesome - Did you use tape to hold your SSD there? I am thinking about going to Home Depot and getting some hardware to rig up my own little bracket for mine. We'll see… UPS can't get here fast enough!!!
- Joe
Yes, I used 3M's special sticker, which was posted in my previous post.
But don't just copy what I did. I am actually not sure it is heat resistant.
Good luck to me.
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I have found the cable for the older iMacs that is used to connect the optical drive. This part is a lot like ChargedPC's altered cable but I think the optical drive takes the slimline as an input, which the SSD's would not. I just really want to buy the slimline to regular cable that Apple probably uses, or have someone who owns the factory SSD model to tell us what is in there!!
With AppleComponents down it is really putting a hamper on this install. Not trying to install it the "incorrect" way, although it'll work then think about doing it again because the "correct" cable is available.
The right cable ?
Someone commenting on the ChargedPC.com guide said they used the following cables:
http://www.e-datacomputer.ro/Cablu_SATA_Slimline_mama_plus_alimentare_SATA_2pin__84390.htm
and
http://www.e-datacomputer.ro/Adapto...entare_15pin_tata_cu_clips_metalic__65046.htm
I'm a little confused how that works. I assume the sata side goes in the MB Sata 1 slot but I don't see how the other end would fit into the drive. I have the Intel 510. It has what looks like the std Sata right next to a slim power cable. The cable he linked looks different and incompatible but perhaps I'm thinking about this incorrectly.
I have to say after installing it with the splitter cable, I'm not at all anxious to remove the motherboard ever again. What a pain. Everything worked (besides of course the fan going nuts) but if I had to do it over again, I'd just pay up for the pre-installed one. Way too much grief. Having the right cable would help. The pressure wall part also isn't perfect (as mentioned in the guide). The sata cables cram right up against the GPU heat sync. I was just too beat to pull it back out and cut away some more room.
Anyway, I am tempted all things considered to get the right cabling in there. Can someone please confirm that the MB end of the cabling is just the std slim sata cable and that somehow one of these slimline cables gets enough power to the SSD without a separate power cable ?
Someone commenting on the ChargedPC.com guide said they used the following cables:
http://www.e-datacomputer.ro/Cablu_SATA_Slimline_mama_plus_alimentare_SATA_2pin__84390.htm
and
http://www.e-datacomputer.ro/Adapto...entare_15pin_tata_cu_clips_metalic__65046.htm
I'm a little confused how that works. I assume the sata side goes in the MB Sata 1 slot but I don't see how the other end would fit into the drive. I have the Intel 510. It has what looks like the std Sata right next to a slim power cable. The cable he linked looks different and incompatible but perhaps I'm thinking about this incorrectly.
I have to say after installing it with the splitter cable, I'm not at all anxious to remove the motherboard ever again. What a pain. Everything worked (besides of course the fan going nuts) but if I had to do it over again, I'd just pay up for the pre-installed one. Way too much grief. Having the right cable would help. The pressure wall part also isn't perfect (as mentioned in the guide). The sata cables cram right up against the GPU heat sync. I was just too beat to pull it back out and cut away some more room.
Anyway, I am tempted all things considered to get the right cabling in there. Can someone please confirm that the MB end of the cabling is just the std slim sata cable and that somehow one of these slimline cables gets enough power to the SSD without a separate power cable ?
okay, like I said, ChargedPC said the 90 degree Sata cable will not fit on the motherboard because it is so close to all other cables there. Thanks Arcadeez! I am doing mine as soon as I get my box from UPS - I am going to record everything too so I can post it on YouTube!
- Joe
Hey Guys,
We should have been more specific on the blog saying that right-angle cables will not fit on the SSD side of the cable, because it will be trying to go into the back of the chasis.
The best data cable we've found so far is from www.cpustuff.com, which has a straight connector-to-left angle SATA cable here(straight for the motherboard, left angle for the SSD). While straight will work for both ends, we've found it a little more difficult on the SSD side because of a bracket that holds the DC power cable in place.
Hope this helps
Vertex 2 in 2011 iMac 27"
Hi
I have read this whole thread and yesterday I installed an Vertex 2 180 Gb in my new iMac.
The screen is much heavier than in my 2008 iMac, but was easy to remove. Dust is no problem, just clean it of with a microfiber cloth. In my 2008 iMac there was tons of dust between the glass and screen when I removed it after three years use.
My first attempt was with a slimline sata. I didn't remove the motherboard, just removed the screws and tilted it upwards and managed to get the cable in place. I placed the SSD underneath the DVD. Took about two hours, I was going slow and just removing as little as possible. Unfortunately, no ssd showed up. Turns out I had the wrong cable, It should have been micro sata, not slimline.
So I took the computer apart again, removed the motherboard. Went smooth, maybe 45 min. Took the DVD cable with me to the store and found out that it was another slimline sata, and only 13 pin, not 16 (7+7+2) pin which is what the store guy picked out first.
Installed the cables again, and this time I put the SSD next to the HDD, under the heat pipes from the graphics card. It is a snug fit so I didn't even bother taping it in place.
All in all it is doable in less than two hours, but first time takes longer, maybe a bit more than two hours. It was not difficult. I just laid out all the screws in the same pattern they were in the iMac, I taped the cables to the fans when I removed them from the motherboard, no risk of mixing them up.
It can be a little difficult to align the motherboard properly when putting it back. I found it considerably easier if I removed the memory door and the memory, I then put back the memory when the motherboard was in place but not screwed tight. It is also helpful with a helper when removing the screen and when lifting the motherboard.
I used the excellent guide from Chargedpc, thanks for that. All in all it was easily worth doing the upgrade myself, I got an 180 Gb SSD for a third of the cost Apple would have charged me.
I used the SSD in a Firewire 800 chassis first and that felt very snappy. The SSD is twice as fast when attached to SATA but that is not really anything I notice.
Hi
I have read this whole thread and yesterday I installed an Vertex 2 180 Gb in my new iMac.
The screen is much heavier than in my 2008 iMac, but was easy to remove. Dust is no problem, just clean it of with a microfiber cloth. In my 2008 iMac there was tons of dust between the glass and screen when I removed it after three years use.
My first attempt was with a slimline sata. I didn't remove the motherboard, just removed the screws and tilted it upwards and managed to get the cable in place. I placed the SSD underneath the DVD. Took about two hours, I was going slow and just removing as little as possible. Unfortunately, no ssd showed up. Turns out I had the wrong cable, It should have been micro sata, not slimline.
So I took the computer apart again, removed the motherboard. Went smooth, maybe 45 min. Took the DVD cable with me to the store and found out that it was another slimline sata, and only 13 pin, not 16 (7+7+2) pin which is what the store guy picked out first.
Installed the cables again, and this time I put the SSD next to the HDD, under the heat pipes from the graphics card. It is a snug fit so I didn't even bother taping it in place.
All in all it is doable in less than two hours, but first time takes longer, maybe a bit more than two hours. It was not difficult. I just laid out all the screws in the same pattern they were in the iMac, I taped the cables to the fans when I removed them from the motherboard, no risk of mixing them up.
It can be a little difficult to align the motherboard properly when putting it back. I found it considerably easier if I removed the memory door and the memory, I then put back the memory when the motherboard was in place but not screwed tight. It is also helpful with a helper when removing the screen and when lifting the motherboard.
I used the excellent guide from Chargedpc, thanks for that. All in all it was easily worth doing the upgrade myself, I got an 180 Gb SSD for a third of the cost Apple would have charged me.
I used the SSD in a Firewire 800 chassis first and that felt very snappy. The SSD is twice as fast when attached to SATA but that is not really anything I notice.
Attachments
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Just wanted to clear up that there are no microSATA cables found anywhere in the iMac.
The cable that goes to the DVD drive, and the connector that comes off of the motherboard for the SSD, is a slimline SATA connector. Its a combination of the standard 7 pin SATA data cable, and a 6 pin slimline SATA power cable. (6+7 pin = 13 pin).
More information can be found about these cables in general here, and specifically with the iMac, iFixit confirms that the Sony Optiarc is standard slimline SATA here: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac-Intel-27-Inch/1236/2