iMac Upgrade Advice

[elseven]

Hey there,

I am looking for some advice about how to upgrade my iMac (Mid 2010) as I've heard a number of different approaches.

Currently have 16GB RAM and a 2TB HD.

I would like to install a small SSD (say 250GB) in place of the CD drive to run my OS on and then also up the RAM if that's possible?

Do I need to look at any particular casings/fans/wiring for the SSD to get it to run like a dream?

Can I even go past 16GB RAM in this machine?

If I upgrade the graphics card or something else is that gonna help?

I primarily use my iMac for music production therefore would like it to have as much processing power as possible.

Thanks for your time!

 

[padams35]

The best way to simultaneously upgrade everything is to buy a newer iMac.

Individually...
GPU - Lots of pain for marginal gain. Usually an upgrade/repair of last resort.
SSD - You will need an adaptor bracket plus the tools to remove the display. See iFixit or OWC.
RAM - The 27" i5/i7 models are rumored to support up to 32GB. Otherwise 16GB is the limit.

 

[SaSaSushi]

Well, the Mid-2010 iMac still had the magnetically attached glass panel. iFixit calls the SSD upgrade moderate difficulty.

I got suction cups at the 100 yen shop (dollar store) that worked just fine when I replaced the super drive on my old Late 2009 iMac. Aside from that you need a T10 Torx screwdriver and a few Phillips screwdrivers.

As mentioned, 16GB (4x4GB) RAM is the max for the 21-inch Mid-2010 iMac.

 

[MadDane]

I would like to install a small SSD (say 250GB) in place of the CD drive to run my OS on and then also up the RAM if that's possible?

Do I need to look at any particular casings/fans/wiring for the SSD to get it to run like a dream?

I have done this in my late 2009 iMac after the SuperDrive died and it has now worked perfectly for 4 years. You need a "Hard drive caddy". It works as a bracket that you install instead of the SuperDrive and then you can install the SSD in that. If memory serves me right, in my machine the temperature sensor was attached with some tape to the SuperDrive. I just peeled it off the SuperDrive and put it back on the SSD. Afterwards I merged my HDD with my SSD to create a Fusion Drive, but that is a different topic.

Can I even go past 16GB RAM in this machine?

Well, it depends on your processor. Which processor do you currently have? If you have either the quad core i5 or i7 it is possible.

If I upgrade the graphics card or something else is that gonna help?

I primarily use my iMac for music production therefore would like it to have as much processing power as possible.

Thanks for your time!

For music production, what you want is processing power. For this, upgrading the graphics card wouldn't benefit you very much. If you already have the top-of-the-line i7 there is not much you can do besides upgrading to a newer computer. If not, you can upgrade to the top-of-the-line i7 CPU for a boost in processing power

 

[SaSaSushi]

Well, it depends on your processor. Which processor do you currently have? If you have either the quad core i5 or i7 it is possible.

For some reason, I assumed the OP had the 21-inch, which was never actually specified. That model only supported 16GB RAM max.

I edited my comment.

 

[MadDane]

For some reason, I assumed the OP had the 21-inch, which was never actually specified. That model only supported 16GB RAM max.

I edited my comment.

That is kind of funny - I assumed that it is the 27" version