SSD for 2011 iMac

[Bl0ckHe1d]

Finally getting round to replacing the HD in the 2011 27" iMac to give this beauty a new lease of life!

Can anyone advise which of the two SSD manufacturer would be best suited for replacing the HD in the 2011 27" iMac?

Samsung Evo or
Crucial MX500

Already purchase the 27" SSD kit from ifixit, would i require anything else prior to the upgrade?

Thanks in advance!

 

[padams35]

I like to support Crucial because they have been a long time 3rd party supplier of reliable mac memory, but truthfully I'm not aware of any notable SSD differences between the Evo and MX500.

Do make sure the SSD kit includes a thermal sensor cable otherwise you will need 3rd party fan control software.

 

[mikzn]

nothing against Crucial, but the evo has worked well for me in several HDD replacements (5+) and external bootable drives and FWIW works with High Sierra

 

[Bl0ckHe1d]

Do make sure the SSD kit includes a thermal sensor cable otherwise you will need 3rd party fan control software.

Rats, I did read on the thermal sensor but forgot about it! Purchased this, no mention of thermal sensor though:
https://eustore.ifixit.com/en/Upgra...ive-Kit.html?listtype=search&searchparam=imac

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Rats, I did read on the thermal sensor but forgot about it! Purchased this, no mention of thermal sensor though:
https://eustore.ifixit.com/en/Upgra...ive-Kit.html?listtype=search&searchparam=imac

Look at "macsales.com" and see if they have a sensor you can use on the new SSD of your you 2111 iMac. I believe that they have one for the 229-2010 models, but don't know if you can use it on the 2011 iMac. Otherwise you will have to control the HDD fan speed with an app such as "SSD Fan Control" or another of several available on the Internet. The temperature sensor of the hard drive used by Apple is internally installed (in the HDD), so you won't be ab to attach it to the SSD. The one advertised at "macsales.com" is attached to the center of a new hard drive or SSD.

You will also need a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter or bracket to mount the new 2.5" SSD on the adapter, and the adapter to the drive bay.

 

[padams35]

Rats, I did read on the thermal sensor but forgot about it! Purchased this, no mention of thermal sensor though:
https://eustore.ifixit.com/en/Upgra...ive-Kit.html?listtype=search&searchparam=imac

The 27" 2011's original had a build-to-order option for both an HDD and SSD. The kit you purchased is for DIY installing that additional SSD without replacing anything. It uses adhesive tape to attach directly the back wall of the iMac behind optical drive and may require moving the logic board to access the 3rd SATA connector. That particular upgrade does not require a thermal sensor.

For the more traditional HDD replacement you will need a 2.5" to 3.5" mounting bracket/adapter and some sort of fan control.

This is the only thermal cable I know of: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD11/
OWC also sells the cable bundled with upgrade tools and with their own SSDs and is also sold by a variety resellers for marginally less.

 

[Bl0ckHe1d]

The 27" 2011's original had a build-to-order option for both an HDD and SSD. The kit you purchased is for DIY installing that additional SSD without replacing anything. It uses adhesive tape to attach directly the back wall of the iMac behind optical drive and may require moving the logic board to access the 3rd SATA connector. That particular upgrade does not require a thermal sensor.

This is exactly what I intend to do, should have mentioned that I am replacing the boot up disc and keeping the HD for additional storage / backup! Thank you!

 

[Dopeyman]

The 27" 2011's original had a build-to-order option for both an HDD and SSD. The kit you purchased is for DIY installing that additional SSD without replacing anything. It uses adhesive tape to attach directly the back wall of the iMac behind optical drive and may require moving the logic board to access the 3rd SATA connector. That particular upgrade does not require a thermal sensor.

For the more traditional HDD replacement you will need a 2.5" to 3.5" mounting bracket/adapter and some sort of fan control.

This is the only thermal cable I know of: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD11/
OWC also sells the cable bundled with upgrade tools and with their own SSDs and is also sold by a variety resellers for marginally less.

You're correct about the moving of the logic board to access the SATA connector. But adhesive tape is not really necessary cause once you put the optical drive back, the SSD doesn't move at all.