If you are willing to rip your iMac open, the blade SSD is likely cheaper than a TB-SSD and the cable to connect it. Plus, the system wants to do this automatically after you install the second internal drive. Like I said, this is great news for people that want to add Fusion themselves. Also, unlike Apple's upgrade, you can use a much bigger internal blade SSD.
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Rip Those Macs Open
- Thread starter Kirkle
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If you are willing to rip your iMac open, the blade SSD is likely cheaper than a TB-SSD and the cable to connect it. Plus, the system wants to do this automatically after you install the second internal drive. Like I said, this is great news for people that want to add Fusion themselves. Also, unlike Apple's upgrade, you can use a much bigger internal blade SSD.
Advice/Insight
Questions for R.OG
Say I purchased an 27" iMac with the i5 processor, default memory, the least expensive hard drive, but with the highest end option graphic card (GTX680mx).
Later on, would I be able to put in a i7 3930k, along SSD and more memory with relative ease? I am not entirely happy with the components of the 27" iMac, but if I knew I could improve them later on then I would go ahead with the purchase.
Any insights/advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Questions for R.OG
Say I purchased an 27" iMac with the i5 processor, default memory, the least expensive hard drive, but with the highest end option graphic card (GTX680mx).
Later on, would I be able to put in a i7 3930k, along SSD and more memory with relative ease? I am not entirely happy with the components of the 27" iMac, but if I knew I could improve them later on then I would go ahead with the purchase.
Any insights/advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Here are some pictures with the iMac sealed up temporarily with 3m VHB 4926.
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The i7 3930k will not work since its 130w. Apple also disabled the use of unlocked processors in mountain lion, the system will post but get stuck in a boot loop.
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Yeah, disk utility will not try to fuse 2 SSDs
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The i7 3930k will not work since its 130w. Apple also disabled the use of unlocked processors in mountain lion, the system will post but get stuck in a boot loop.
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So let me get this straight, i ordered the 3TB fusion model and i was planning on swapping out the 3TB HDD with a 512GB Samsung SSD. From what ive read the Apple supplied fusion setups automatically try to fuse the drives back together but if i install an SSD i can keep the drives separate? If so you juts made me very happy
Yeah, disk utility will not try to fuse 2 SSDs
Got it. Thanks.
So what about the i7 3770K? Was it worth changing? Cost effective? (performance vs cost)
My primary concern is whether I can make upgrades to the iMac 27" that would be cost effective (cost less than what Apple charges for upgrading the unit). Also another key consideration is the difficulty factor, I can follow instructions, but I hate to start taking apart the computer and be unable to put it back together.
Got it. Thanks.
So what about the i7 3770K? Was it worth changing? Cost effective? (performance vs cost)
My primary concern is whether I can make upgrades to the iMac 27" that would be cost effective (cost less than what Apple charges for upgrading the unit). Also another key consideration is the difficulty factor, I can follow instructions, but I hate to start taking apart the computer and be unable to put it back together.
The 3770k will not work with mountain lion since its an unlock processor. Personally i think Apple's prices for upgrades on the 27" are very reasonable. I don't think i would have opened up mine immediately if i could get my hands on a fully loaded 27"(Minus the 680mx)
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R.OG, thanks so much. This as really helped me figure out with how to configure my new iMac.
With the posts here I reckon I will be happy enough swapping out the hard drive but taking out the rest to get to the blade location is to probably further than I would like to go.
I need bootcamp and can't afford the 768 SSD by apple, and a 3tb drive is currently out of The question due to The bootcamp restrictions.
Can't see me ever taking the thing apart to put blade SSD in, so I might as well get the apple one at the start and at least get the benefit of fusion when not in bootcamp (hoping this will be the majority of the time!). Other option is to just get the standard 1tb and fit an SSD straight away, but I don't want to crack the thing open straight away and would like the SSD type response on my £2k investment!
It does beg the question why on earth apple do not offer alternative SSD only configurations. It doesn't appear to be for any reason other than so they can push fusion! I think my choice if offered would be a straight 512mb SSD.
Cheers!
With the posts here I reckon I will be happy enough swapping out the hard drive but taking out the rest to get to the blade location is to probably further than I would like to go.
I need bootcamp and can't afford the 768 SSD by apple, and a 3tb drive is currently out of The question due to The bootcamp restrictions.
Can't see me ever taking the thing apart to put blade SSD in, so I might as well get the apple one at the start and at least get the benefit of fusion when not in bootcamp (hoping this will be the majority of the time!). Other option is to just get the standard 1tb and fit an SSD straight away, but I don't want to crack the thing open straight away and would like the SSD type response on my £2k investment!
It does beg the question why on earth apple do not offer alternative SSD only configurations. It doesn't appear to be for any reason other than so they can push fusion! I think my choice if offered would be a straight 512mb SSD.
Cheers!
Great work ROG, thanks heaps for photo's, Ill add some of our trial on monday too haha.
Is that a MERC key i notice sitting there in the background Nice,
Is that a MERC key i notice sitting there in the background
Nice,Tools:
Heat gun or hair dryer
Heavy-duty Suction Cups
Phillips #1 Screwdriver
Phillips 00 Screwdriver
Spudger
Tools (continued)
T5 Torx Screwdriver
T8 Torx Screwdriver
T10 Torx Screwdriver
iFixit Guitar Picks set of 8
r.og will there be some sort of instructional step by step video/tutorial that youll be doing on this for all of us such as myself who arent as smart when it comes to this stuff as some of you veterans..I take apart my laptop and upgrade without a problem but ive never done an imac and it would be nice to see in real time so i dont mess anything up....either way your the ****in man! r.og for president
hey nvrenuf, are you going to post a video as well, or atleast a step by step how too? i was just asking r.og the same thing...Some of us, myself included aren't as fluent with taking our iMac apart. I for one have never done it...I can do my laptop with my eyes closed by now, but im a little hesitant to do it just on pictures alone to my iMac, just for the sheer reason that ive never done it or seen it done in real time..I know this might sound stupid to someone like you who obviously is very fluent with taking these apart.
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oh never mind, i just noticed your post said you had the dslr and go pro ready to rock.. very cool man, cant wait!!
R.OG has been doing it (on the 21 and the 27") without the heat gun. There's really no need to soften the foam tape. It cuts quite easily.
ok guys serious question, can i do this upgrade and just put everything back together the way it was if i need to bring it in to apple for anything? or will they know i messed with it? basically what im saying is is there anyway to cover my tracks on the chance i need to bring it in to be serviced or is my apple care automatically ****ed
If we find out what tape Apple uses then we will be able to return it back to factory condition if needed for warranty. Ill buy a beer for the first person to find the right tape
R.OG you are making a bit of an impression across the web on a few sites! http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/12/autopsy-shows-27-imac-is-positively-austere-on-the-inside/
I am also looking at buying a base model, or near base model anyway to be upgraded with my own sourced blade ssd. I am just waiting to see how hard it is going to be to get this thing back together again. I am going to have to open the iMac at some point to simply clear the dust out so I might as well get familiar with the procedure from day one.
I was going to ask how come the tape you are putting in is just temporary for now? I can't tell from the pictures but I can't quite see if the screen is sitting flush with the aluminium frame!
If we find out what tape Apple uses then we will be able to return it back to factory condition if needed for warranty. Ill buy a beer for the first person to find the right tape
me too. Im ready to order the 768 only because id rather pay more money than to totally void my warranty and upgrade myself...****! wheres that god damn tape LOL
yea im probabally gonna do it too, that way i dont have to take **** apart, void the warranty or spend almost the same for a lacie external little big disk..might as well just order it and cry about it later lol..its more principal than anything. not even the money..But yea this made up my mind, thanks for your input buddy
I second this motion!
Video of the entire thing, including strip placement etc. That would kick so much buttock/s!
Also, anyone figured out a good place to buy the VHB tape from? I wish Amazon had it.
Great work R.OG. Absolutely love this topic and the great pics.
It answers a lot of my question about what to do when my 27" finally arrives.
I have opened all of my previous iMacs within days of delivery, so I will probably open this one as well. Even if the FusionDrive lives up to expectations, I just don't like HDD's in my iMac anymore. So a big 2,5" SSD will most likely replace the 1TB HDD very soon after delivery.
Rest of the mods are awesome to follow, keep up the good work.
I manage to get 450/390 out of my external LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt with a 256GB Samsung 840 Pro fitted.
Grtz,
Robert
The Netherlands
It answers a lot of my question about what to do when my 27" finally arrives.
I have opened all of my previous iMacs within days of delivery, so I will probably open this one as well. Even if the FusionDrive lives up to expectations, I just don't like HDD's in my iMac anymore. So a big 2,5" SSD will most likely replace the 1TB HDD very soon after delivery.
Rest of the mods are awesome to follow, keep up the good work.
I manage to get 450/390 out of my external LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt with a 256GB Samsung 840 Pro fitted.
Grtz,
Robert
The Netherlands
Those are some really excellent speeds with the 840 Pro (though it seems we don't get the max performance for some reason). I "know" I won't be able to tell any real-world difference between the Samsung 830/840 Pro in a Thunderbolt enclosure vs inside my 27" iMac, but the nerd in me still wants to open the computer up and replace the drive. Until I summon the courage to do so, my 830 256GB SSD via Thunderbolt will be my boot drive.
Same boat as you with the 1TB drive in my 27"! Just wish there were a good video of the procedure so I would feel better about the whole darn thing!
Same boat as you with the 1TB drive in my 27"! Just wish there were a good video of the procedure so I would feel better about the whole darn thing!