Imac 21.5 (Late-2013) SSD Upgrade

[memz5k]

Hey all.
I want to do an SSD upgrade on my Imac, the current HDD is slowing it down way too much.

I wanted to know if i purchase an Samsung 850 SSD and install it, just by replacing the stock HDD would the fans go crazy constantly and run at full speed.

Or

If i purchase an OWC SSD would the same issue occur, as ive red online that OWC have the custom firmware to give the thermal reading to the sensor to stop this fan issue.

 

[RichardC300]

No. I did an SSD and RAM upgrade on a late 2013 21.5" iMac two weeks ago. No thermal sensor needed. This thing is FAST now! I used a crucial MX300 SSD and crucial RAM, no issues. The whole machine was slow and VMs ran at a snail's pace before, but now, everything is smooth and almost instant.

 

[memz5k]

No. I did an SSD and RAM upgrade on a late 2013 21.5" iMac two weeks ago. No thermal sensor needed. This thing is FAST now! I used a crucial MX300 SSD and crucial RAM, no issues. The whole machine was slow and VMs ran at a snail's pace before, but now, everything is smooth and almost instant.

Thanks for the info. I have ordered the Samsung 850 Evo 500gb, the price difference between the MX300 & 850 Evo was minimal.

 

[mbosse]

No. I did an SSD and RAM upgrade on a late 2013 21.5" iMac two weeks ago. No thermal sensor needed. This thing is FAST now! I used a crucial MX300 SSD and crucial RAM, no issues. The whole machine was slow and VMs ran at a snail's pace before, but now, everything is smooth and almost instant.

Do the fans work properly afterwards or is a software control necessary? Kind regards, Magnus

 

[RichardC300]

Do the fans work properly afterwards or is a software control necessary? Kind regards, Magnus

For this model, yes. The fans work normal, and a thermal sensor adapter or software control is unnecessary. I can't remember which years need that piece, but if you have a late-2013 21.5", you're good without it.

 

[vyruzreaper]

Hey all.
I want to do an SSD upgrade on my Imac, the current HDD is slowing it down way too much.

I wanted to know if i purchase an Samsung 850 SSD and install it, just by replacing the stock HDD would the fans go crazy constantly and run at full speed.

Or

If i purchase an OWC SSD would the same issue occur, as ive red online that OWC have the custom firmware to give the thermal reading to the sensor to stop this fan issue.

Good choice. I bought a USB 3 enclosure and just boot the drive externally. No need to deal with the hassle of opening the imac. I still get great speeds. Gimme 5 and I will do a BM test... stay tuned
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[tubeexperience]

For the 21.5", the thermal sensor cable is not needed. It is only needed for the 27".

Follow the instruction here for the upgrade:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2638+Hard+Drive+Replacement/28781

 

[Fishrrman]

RE post 6 above:
"Good choice. I bought a USB 3 enclosure and just boot the drive externally. No need to deal with the hassle of opening the imac. I still get great speeds. Gimme 5 and I will do a BM test... stay tuned"

433+/-mbps is about "the theoretical max" for reads via a USB connection that supports UASP.

You're very close, doing fine!

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Further from the 2012 iMac, Apple in their wisdom, reduced the 3.5" HDD in 21.5" models to a slow old 5400rpm 2.5" laptop HDD. As tubee says, heat sensor only required for 27" model from 2012.

 

[rudamental]

Good choice. I bought a USB 3 enclosure and just boot the drive externally. No need to deal with the hassle of opening the imac. I still get great speeds. Gimme 5 and I will do a BM test... stay tuned
[doublepost=1487217768][/doublepost]View attachment 688809
[doublepost=1487217890][/doublepost]

Hi, I'm looking at upgrading my iMac 21.5" late 2013 to an SSD drive and I'm wondering whether you ever had any issues with heat buildup on your external drive? I've read a bit about how the SSDs generate substantial heat around the connectors which reduces life and can increase the chance of disk failure so I'm just trying to weigh up whether I go into the mac and plug directly into the port on the motherboard, or if that's just not necessary and get on with externally connecting via thunderbolt. I'd appreciate any feedback you can give. I appreciate that your post was dated 2017, but I'm hoping you still have some recollection of the performance if you're not still using the mac.

 

[FreddyJ]

Hey there - is it worth upgrading a mid 2010 iMac - it's slowing down and defo needs a boost. Also not actually sure how do to this. Done it with the MacBook - was easier than I thought. But not sure with the iMac. Any suggestions? Thx.