SATA III HDD for 2011 iMac?

[skyrider]

Hi,

I've been reading lots of conflicting stuff about the HDDs supplied by Apple as the primary storage device & what can/can't be done with regards to upgrades.

What I would like to know is this: is it possible to replace the SATA II drive supplied by Apple (primary drive) with a SATA III drive & still have the proper temperature sensing/fan control?

Thanks.

 

[Hellhammer]

HDs can barely saturate SATA 1.5Gb/s so you would see absolutely no gain from SATA 6Gb/s HD. SSD is another case.

 

[skyrider]

HDs can barely saturate SATA 1.5Gb/s so you would see absolutely no gain from SATA 6Gb/s HD. SSD is another case.

Thank you for your prompt reply & please excuse my ignorance!

As it happens I am also considering the SSD option. Do you know if it is possible to replace the standard primary drive with the SSD whilst maintaining fan/temperature control or is it necessary to fit it in the secondary bay?

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Yes you can.

I (read an AASP) put a Seagate 2TB drive in the HDD slot no problem
I also had an SSD installed with no problems too.

 

[skyrider]

Yes you can.

I (read an AASP) put a Seagate 2TB drive in the HDD slot no problem
I also had an SSD installed with no problems too.

Excellent; many thanks

Are there any special requirements to make these work correctly? Been reading a lot about this special connector for the fan control...

 

[Badger^2]

Excellent; many thanks

Are there any special requirements to make these work correctly? Been reading a lot about this special connector for the fan control...

Do you really need a SSD? And is this something you plan on doing yourself?

So far it sounds like your lack of knowledge is going to get you into more trouble than its worth.

 

[skyrider]

Do you really need a SSD? And is this something you plan on doing yourself?

So far it sounds like your lack of knowledge is going to get you into more trouble than its worth.

Need? Yes. Doing it myself? No.

I have successfully upgraded the storage on my MBP with a SSD & the improvement is stunning. I carried out that upgrade myself but I am well aware that opening up & tinkering with an iMac is a completely different matter & for me a non-starter.

My local Apple Service Centre has offered to install the SSD for me but are currently having problems obtaining some required parts from Apple. They will be upgrading the memory at the same time although I am aware that is one that I could carry out myself.

I just thought that whilst I'm at it I would investigate the possibility of removing/replacing the standard HDD with something better; I'm that kind of guy

 

[tsugaru]

OP

From what I've heard, it's hit or miss, in terms of the thermal controls. I hope that it's just hearsay, because I really hope that Dan is correct, universally speaking, from any drive. Eventually I will replace my drive with a 2 or 3TB model.

---

Do you really need a SSD? And is this something you plan on doing yourself?

So far it sounds like your lack of knowledge is going to get you into more trouble than its worth.

People who have no business driving have high end sports cars...

The benefits of an SSD are universal though, regardless of computer skill. It reduces your waiting on the machine.

Next time, just answer his question, and don't berate him for asking for it. If you're going to do that, just stay out of the thread.

 

[skyrider]

OP

From what I've heard, it's hit or miss, in terms of the thermal controls. I hope that it's just hearsay, because I really hope that Dan is correct, universally speaking, from any drive. Eventually I will replace my drive with a 2 or 3TB model.

---



People who have no business driving have high end sports cars...

The benefits of an SSD are universal though, regardless of computer skill. It reduces your waiting on the machine.

Next time, just answer his question, and don't berate him for asking for it. If you're going to do that, just stay out of the thread.

Good luck with your own upgrade.

Funny you should mention sports cars...

 

[tsugaru]

Good luck with your own upgrade.

Funny you should mention sports cars...

Inorite. Like my douche neighbour who still stalls his Porsche.

 

[ecstacy2012]

hello I have done this upgrade and put owc's 6g ssd in there (also I have put dual ssd's in there since) if you use the method on chargedpc.com the y spilter over rides any fan problems now you will not have any temp read on the sdd but you wont have any fan problems and normally its nothing to worry about the regular hd will give temp readings. Also the owc 6g ssd's we have found out when installing afterwards to put osx on it will not show up when booting the osx disk nor in disk utility when running disk so you need to install osx on internal hd then clone it over. Other then that it's a long process but can be done the hardest part is the logic board going back in I suggest removing the ram bay door so you can see easier to line it up.

 

[skyrider]

hello I have done this upgrade and put owc's 6g ssd in there (also I have put dual ssd's in there since) if you use the method on chargedpc.com the y spilter over rides any fan problems now you will not have any temp read on the sdd but you wont have any fan problems and normally its nothing to worry about the regular hd will give temp readings. Also the owc 6g ssd's we have found out when installing afterwards to put osx on it will not show up when booting the osx disk nor in disk utility when running disk so you need to install osx on internal hd then clone it over. Other then that it's a long process but can be done the hardest part is the logic board going back in I suggest removing the ram bay door so you can see easier to line it up.

Thank you for your valuable feedback, much appreciated.