Mid 2010 iMac 21in very slow SSD upgrade

[bradpitch92]

I have an older iMac and it's awfully slow. I am planning to upgrade the HDD to a SSD using this kit and this SSD. That SSD is compatible correct? I realize I will also need a 2.5 to 3.5 in adapter bracket. Will this solve most of my slowness issues? I've tried other basic items, but the computer is just awfully slow. If i were to switch users, it takes about 5 minutes to switch users and bring up a web browser. The computer has 8 GB DDR3 RAM and a 3.2Ghz intel core i3 processor. Which isn't great, but isn't awful either. I kind of think a RAM upgrade won't be as nearly as impactful as the SSD upgrade.

Two other questions when doing this. I have a Time Machine backup, but i don't plan to implant the backup as a whole on the new SSD, as i feel like it could slow it down. Instead, I will just pick and choose the important files and put them on the new SSD. Does this make sense? Or am I being unnecessarily cautious here?

 

[r6mile]

I have an older iMac and it's awfully slow. I am planning to upgrade the HDD to a SSD using this kit and this SSD. That SSD is compatible correct? I realize I will also need a 2.5 to 3.5 in adapter bracket. Will this solve most of my slowness issues? I've tried other basic items, but the computer is just awfully slow. If i were to switch users, it takes about 5 minutes to switch users and bring up a web browser. The computer has 8 GB DDR3 RAM and a 3.2Ghz intel core i3 processor. Which isn't great, but isn't awful either. I kind of think a RAM upgrade won't be as nearly as impactful as the SSD upgrade.

Two other questions when doing this. I have a Time Machine backup, but i don't plan to implant the backup as a whole on the new SSD, as i feel like it could slow it down. Instead, I will just pick and choose the important files and put them on the new SSD. Does this make sense? Or am I being unnecessarily cautious here?

The SSD will make the most difference. 8GB RAM will be fine for most uses. You can in theory also replace the CPU to an i5 3.6 but it's a more involved upgrade and less impactful than the SSD, so unless you are very confident I wouldn't bother.

The OWC kit has everything you need - lots of people will tell you don't need the OWC temperature sensor, you can get cheaper versions elsewhere for this model - but to be honest if it's the first time doing this type of upgrade I personally think it's easier to go with an all-inclusive kit that you know for sure will work. At $75 this kit including the 250GB SSD and all the tools and cables etc. is excellent value (https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/KITIM09HE250/) - you can try adding it all up from elsewhere and I doubt you'd get better value that way.

You could restore the Time Machine backup, though another option which could work best would be to do a clean install of High Sierra and then use Migration Assistant to copy over your personal files. This way the system files will be 'new', but your personal files will be copied over.

 

[bradpitch92]

Ok great thanks. I do need the 2.5in to 3.5in adapter bracket too right?

With regards to the clean install, I essentially just follow these steps right? Create bootable USB drive with HS and then once I've installed the SSD, boot from it to install HS.

Migration Assistant basically allows me to pick n choose what files correct?

 

[r6mile]

Ok great thanks. I do need the 2.5in to 3.5in adapter bracket too right?

With regards to the clean install, I essentially just follow these steps right? Create bootable USB drive with HS and then once I've installed the SSD, boot from it to install HS.

Migration Assistant basically allows me to pick n choose what files correct?

I would advise to get the adapter, I always have (I've done half a dozen of these 2010-11 iMacs). You can in theory just use some tape or something, but that's never felt very secure to me. If you are not getting the OWC kit which includes one (as well as all the tools and the thermal sensor), you can get very cheap adapters for like 5 bucks or less on eBay that will do the job.

Yes for the clean install those instructions look good.

I'm not sure if you can pick which files to transfer with migration assistant, in that case you might be better off just moving files manually

 

[bradpitch92]

Do you know why this error is showing? I'm trying to create a bootable disk using Diskmaker X 7 for High Sierra but once i run the Diskmaker program, it gets through all the steps until this error shows

 

[bradpitch92]

And then i get this when i try the terminal commands. It's asking for a password? I'm following these instructions

 

[bradpitch92]

I was able to do it over terminal commands. It seems Diskmaker X 7 doesn't work anymore.

 

[bradpitch92]

removed