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Yes, it is totally different.
In 2012, it's a SATA blade.
In 2013, it's a PCIe blade.

That's why I'm hopping someone can confirm, hopefully with pictures, that the late 2013 27" standard config comes with PCIe slot.
 
I have recently installed a SATA Blade (256Gb from MPRr 2012) in my iMac late 2012 27".
It's really less difficult than expected (about 1 hour for complete operation).
Removing the screen is easy with the "pizza cutting tool".
Removing all the connectors and boards is easy if you follow the ifixit guide and OWC video.
The main difficulty is to align perfectly the screen when you stick it back.
Now I have built a fusion drive, and my Mac is really fast with a lot of disk space.
 
Yes, it is totally different.
In 2012, it's a SATA blade.
In 2013, it's a PCIe blade.

Are you sure?
http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...imac-aluminum-late-2012-late-2013-models.html

"

For storage upgrades, if the 21.5-Inch "Late 2012" iMac models were not configured with an SSD or a "Fusion Drive" at the time of purchase, there is no way to add a PCIe-based "blade" SSD later as the needed connector is not present. However, the 27-Inch "Late 2012" and all "Late 2013" iMac models do have this connector on the motherboard even without a pre-installed SSD, so it is possible to add a PCIe-based "blade" SSD after the purchase of the system.

"
 
My 27" late 2012 (1Tb HDD) has a blade connector to put a SATA blade (not PCIe).
I have used this connector to install a 256Gb sata blade to build my own fusion drive.
21" late 2012 without SSD don't have this connector.
Look into your link:
For storage upgrades, if the 21.5-Inch "Late 2012" iMac models were not configured with an SSD or a "Fusion Drive" at the time of purchase, there is no way to add a PCIe-based "blade" SSD later as the needed connector is not present. However, the 27-Inch "Late 2012" and all "Late 2013" iMac models do have this connector on the motherboard even without a pre-installed SSD, so it is possible to add a PCIe-based "blade" SSD after the purchase of the system.
 
It's been a while since the heyday of this thread but I'm pinging the DIY crowd to see if anyone has experienced random shut-downs with their Late 2012 iMacs.
 
Does anyone know if it's possible to use a sata splitter on a late 2013 27" iMac? For instance, use the splitter and add a SSD.
 
Hi, I have a imac 27 late 2012 with 1TB HDD

I plan to add a SSD. I would like to get whatever format (sata / blade) and would like to keep the function of the fan.

May I clarify if the following cases would affect the fan normal speed?

1. Keep the original 1TB HDD, add a used 512 / 768gb blade SSD from rMBP (as apple's fusion drive settings is HDD + 128G SSD, if the blade SSD size is bigger than 128, will it break the fan?)

2. Replace the original 1TB HDD with 2.5" SSD. (I've heard some saying 2.5" would not use 12V then the fan will be normal. But, some saying the original HDD is with customized firmware allow the machine to read temperature of the HDD.)

3. Replace the original 1TB HDD with 2.5" HDD, add a used 512 / 768gb blade SSD. (Same about the voltage issue, but will the imac able to read the temperature and give normal fan speed according to the temp?)

4. 1 or 2, with OWC thermal cable.

Thanks a lot.
 
What I did was cheat. Rather than go through the pain/potential-agony of opening up my 27" iMac I just sent it to OWC and had them put in an SSD and new (3TB) HDD. The machine was gone for just under a week and has run just fine ever since. I highly recommend it.
 
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