IMAC MID 2011 27" I5 12GB RAM -UPGRADE SSD / Processor and Memory, Any help welcome.

[PeteMacMan]

GENERAL UPGRADE QUESTIONS LOOKING AT SSD, PROCESSOR and MEMORY

Hi , So many questions and please go easy on the Jargon, if you cant answer all parts any elements you can are hugely appreciated. Based in Uk but welcome responses from all - even re recommended parts etc if from differing locations.

A. Disc Drive - I want to upgrade my disc drive to a SSD drive.
1. Can i buy an internal SSD 1TB that firstly I can connect externally (with a docking station?) to clone my current old Hard Disc before installing the internal SSD? Assuming an internal SSD is the far better solution.
2. Or can i do the above but just have an external SSD to boot off in future and make the internal drive redundant? (ie clone over etc first) and would I use a USB connection or Thunderbolt? Any info re speeds pros and cons etc of this option against doing the more complex internal install are welcome.
3. Do i need some kind of accessories to buy with an Internal SSD drive to do the install? Ie leads etc or is it like for like with current hard disc. (keep reading about a thermal sensor?)
4. can anyone recommend a good compatible SSD 1TB or are the all much the same?
5. I have heard about fans over spinning and crashing MAC when trying to replace the current drive to SSD. Is this an issue and how do you ensure you avoid.

B. Processor
1.Simple is it worth upgrading the i5 and if so what too, can anyone advise and send links of compatible processors. What difference will it make.
2. Is this a simple process?

C. Memory -
1. I'm not infront of my Mac but I did previously upgrade to either 12gb or 16gb of RAM memory. But im led to believe you can go up to 32 with8GB in each slot. Can anyone confirm and again direct me to the compatible memory .
2. is this again worth the upgrade from 12 or 16 say to 32.

D . Alternate Upgrades
1. Are there any other suggested upgrades that could make my 2011 mid run faster. Its main issue for me is the almost constant whurrring of the hard disk and it acting as if its constantly over working its self. struggles for CPU at times but is slow booting up and opening some applications..

E. OS
1. I assume none of these upgrades will impact the ability to update the OS HIGH SIERRA to a newer version.

Really appreciate your input.

regards
Pete

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

A. Disk
1. Yes, you can
2. Yes, you can. I prefer USB over Thunderbolt because it's only temporary and Thunderbolt solution cost too much for me.
3. No you don't. Mac Fan Control App provides the solution for fan speed.
4. They are not the same. Stick to well-known brands like Intel, Samsung, Micron, especially the 960GB drives salvaged from decommisioned servers. They are more durable because of the MLC NAND chips, and because of enterprise class quality. iMac 2011 takes only SATA drive (2.5" SSDs)
5. This is an issue for reckless DIYers. Proceed with caution and great care and you will be fine with it.

B. Processor
1. It depends on how you value your work hours. If you can find a core i7-2600 at price so cheap you don't really care to spend, then having a core i7 shown up in 'About this Mac" pop-up windows is a nice touch to your iMac. Otherwise, it's not worthy the trouble at all.
2. Replacing the CPU is troublesome and takes times comparing to RAM and SSD upgrading. You would have to take out the whole logicboard to replace the CPU.

C. MEMORY
1. 1333MHz or 1600Mhz DDR3 or DDR3L SODIMM (non ECC) will work fine. Brands does matter. I would stick to well-known brand like Samsung, Sk, Hynix, Micron, etc. You can buy the same brand as the 8GB sticks in your iMac.
2. Again, if you can find cheap 2nd hand RAM stick, then 32GB RAM shown-up in the About this Mac windows is nicer to the look.

D. Alternate Upgrade.
1. The SATA SSD upgrade is enough to get your iMac run faster/smoother.
2. If you want to do graphic intensive work, then upgrading the GPU is advisable (if you are on the HD6770M). This is more hardcore.

E. OS
As OCLP now has been patched to run with the stock GPU, newer OS is not an issue.
Until one day, your stock GPU is dead and... welcome to the club of GPU upgraders.

 

[PeteMacMan]

Really appreciate the response!

A.
2. If I use a external USB SDD i keep reading these are much more expensive is that the case? And in terms of speed what's the comparison between internal and external.
4. Can you recommend an internal and external version so i can suss expectant costs. im UK based.

D.
2. So GPU is a even more difficult upgrade than SDD i take it? Prob pass on this one then.

May well just upgrade to SSD and budge up the RAM for now to max 32 - but unsure how much the latter will improve things?

Thanks again
Pete

 

[PeteMacMan]

Looked at the following SSD - Can you advise what dock i would buy for external connection to clone internal disc and then do i need to buy the bracket for internal fixing as show in second link

SDD replacement

Crucial MX500 1TB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD - Up to 560MB/s - CT1000MX500SSD1​

Internal bracket - Do i need ? Or anything else for internal fitting?

Inateck SSD Mounting Bracket 2.5 to 3.5 with SATA Cable and Power Splitter Cable, ST1002S

Intelligent design If you want to mount 2.5” drives into your PC and got a free 3.5” slot, then this Inateck conversion bracket is the optimal solution meeting you requirements. Compatible and efficient the frame bracket provides ample space for two SSDs or laptop HDDs measuring 2.5”. The Inateck...

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[padams35]

EDIT: A2 - Internal drives max out at 600MB/s theoretical. Firewire 800 is only ~100MB/s: that is enough for an HDD but will throttle an SSD. USB 2 is even worse at ~50MB/s. Thunderbolt-1 was expensive, but is now both expensive and out of stock.

A3/A5 - You need the bracket - any generic 2.5" to 3.5" bracket should do - but I would recommend getting the OWC 2011 iMac thermal sensor cable. Its a bit expensive by itself, but the tool bundles are a good deal if you needed the upgrade tools anyway. Mac Fan Control is another option, but when the cost is reasonable I prefer hardware solutions.

Crucial is a good brand. I've got one off their drives in my 2011 iMac.

 

[PeteMacMan]

EDIT: A2 - Internal drives max out at 600MB/s theoretical. Firewire 800 is only ~100MB/s: that is enough for an HDD but will throttle an SSD. USB 2 is even worse at ~50MB/s. Thunderbolt-1 was expensive, but is now both expensive and out of stock.

A3/A5 - You need the bracket - any generic 2.5" to 3.5" bracket should do - but I would recommend getting the OWC 2011 iMac thermal sensor cable. Its a bit expensive by itself, but the tool bundles are a good deal if you needed the upgrade tools anyway. Mac Fan Control is another option, but when the cost is reasonable I prefer hardware solutions.

Crucial is a good brand. I've got one off their drives in my 2011 iMac.

Great so internal replacment with thermal sensor the preferred route.

My only issue now is how do I clone the current disc to the SSD. I assumed a usb3. 0 docking kit would mean I could plug the SSD In the 2011 mac and copy over. But seemingly the mac is usb 2 only. Does that mean thay aren't compatible or. Means it will. Take days to copy!? What are my alternative options?

Thanks again

 

[padams35]

Compatible, just slower. It should copy overnight.

 

[PeteMacMan]

thankyou !

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Really appreciate the response!

A.
2. If I use a external USB SDD i keep reading these are much more expensive is that the case? And in terms of speed what's the comparison between internal and external.
4. Can you recommend an internal and external version so i can suss expectant costs. im UK based.

D.
2. So GPU is a even more difficult upgrade than SDD i take it? Prob pass on this one then.

May well just upgrade to SSD and budge up the RAM for now to max 32 - but unsure how much the latter will improve things?

Thanks again
Pete

A
2. I use sth similar to this. More expensive, yes. But not much. Even for a guy in Vietnam, like me.

UGREEN 2.5" Hard Drive Enclosure USB 3.0 to SATA III Adapter Supports 2.5 Inch SSD & HDD 9.5mm 7mm External Hard Drive Enclosure with UASP Compatible with WD Seagate Toshiba Samsung Hitachi - Black

UGREEN External Hard Drive Enclosure for 2.5-Zoll-SATA

www.amazon.com

4. A SATA 2.5" SSD + USB 3.0 enclosure like in the above link is what I would recommend. You can change the SSD later, or ditch the enclosure and install the SSD internally to the iMac. I don't use pre-made external SSD so I can't recommend anything.

If you are thinking of reuse your SSD in another newer PC, you can go with nVME SSD + nVME to USB 3.0 enclosure like in the link below. This combo can only be used externally on iMac 2011.

SSK Aluminum M.2 NVME SATA SSD Enclosure Adapter, USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) to NVME PCI-E SATA M-Key/(B+M) Key Solid State Drive External Enclosure Support UASP Trim for NVME/SATA SSDs 2242/2260/2280

SSK Aluminum M.2 NVME SATA SSD Enclosure Adapter, USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) to NVME PCI-E SATA M-Key/(B+M) Key Solid State Drive External Enclosure Support UASP Trim for NVME/SATA SSDs 2242/2260/2280

www.amazon.com

Personally, I would stay away from Crucial brand SSD, because of a high failing ratio.
My preference are Intel, Micro or Samsung SATA SSD salvaged from servers, even if they have low life expectance like 70~80%. They are sold at cheap price and still can last for another 10 years in my old iMac.

For the bracket, if you want the internal of your imac look tidy and clean, you can buy one.
For me, I just have my SSD dangling inside with 1 screw.
If you want to install the second SSD, then a bracket will become handy.

D.
2. Upgrading RAM improves greatly on aesthetical aspect.
It also depends on how much you would spend for the RAM.
Here in VN, I bought 4 sticks of DDRL 8GB at 10$/stick, and felt very pleased with the info displayed in "About this Mac" windows.

But anyway, you don't have to open the whole iMac to upgrade RAM, so you can delay it until finding a good deal on old RAM.

 

[PeteMacMan]

Great - sounds good.. I think for the sake of £50-60 UK pounds and no further cash spent the internal SSD seems worth it and use until it dies then migrate into the next purchase. I'm debating the thermal sensor, seems a con for something that should be £2 OWC cashing in on limited availability elsewhere. tempted to just use fan control app as mentioned given its near the price of the SSD.

Ill research further SSD's for the best mid to top end.

thanks