Upgrading 2013-2015 Macbook Pro SSD to M.2 NVMe

[Audit13]

last night battery drain for 10hours was 5%, any ideas if I can improve a little bit with different pmset values ?

Such little battery drain is pretty good if you are talking about a late 2013 13" MacBook Pro with the Adata sx8200 pro.
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In case i sell the original Apple SSD, can this be used instead? as internal SSD to update bootroom, on future OS releases(if they update the bootroom like mojave 10.14.1)

Transcend JetDrive 820 -for Mac
https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-480GB-JetDrive-Solid-TS480GJDM820/dp/B075HBJPYF

I don't think you can use any non-Apple nvme drive to update the firmware through an OS update.

 

[aatoma]

In case i sell the original Apple SSD, can this be used instead? as internal SSD to update bootroom, on future OS releases(if they update the bootroom like mojave 10.14.1)

Transcend JetDrive 820 -for Mac
https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-480GB-JetDrive-Solid-TS480GJDM820/dp/B075HBJPYF

That's an AHCI SSD with Apple compatible connector. I was wondering exactly the same since I noticed it

 

[Audit13]

That's an AHCI SSD with Apple compatible connector. I was wondering exactly the same since I noticed it

Although it is AHCI, I would not rely solely on that aspect with respect to bootrom updates. Someone on Amazon asked the same question but did not receive an aswer: https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx6EMWB7Q0E5RW/ref=ask_ql_ql_al_hza

The price is approximately $414 CAD and, for that money, I would buy a Sintech adapter ($15 CAD), an Intel 760p ($160 CAD), and update the MacBook to the latest Mojave bootrom, and then sell the Apple SSD.

I have a late 2013 13" with a 256 GB SSD which is fine for now. It's the MacBook Airs that I have been upgrading for people using nvme drives because they don't want to spend a lot to upgrade the storage.

 

[Rob JJ]

I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014) and need to upgrade the SSD. I am no techie, but can follow directions pretty well. My plan is to get this SSD: https://www.amazon.com/SX8200-Gen3x...49037047&sr=8-1&keywords=adata+sx8200+pro+1tb

I hope someone can suggest the best adapter to use (link please so I am sure of getting the specific one for this SSD).

I will have a bootable installer for Mojave available and will use Carbon Copy to reinstall my data. What else should I be concerned with?

 

[Audit13]

I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014) and need to upgrade the SSD. I am no techie, but can follow directions pretty well. My plan is to get this SSD: https://www.amazon.com/SX8200-Gen3x...49037047&sr=8-1&keywords=adata+sx8200+pro+1tb

I hope someone can suggest the best adapter to use (link please so I am sure of getting the specific one for this SSD).

I will have a bootable installer for Mojave available and will use Carbon Copy to reinstall my data. What else should I be concerned with?

Is you MacBook running the latest Mojave bootrom? If not, I recommend updating to 10.14.3 with the original Apple SSD before replacing the drive.

Here's what I ordered (doesn't include screwdrivers): http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1139.html

This includes screwdrivers: http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1143.html

One member ordered this one but could not fully close the bottom cover: http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1229.html

 

[x34]

Which disk You have, please?

crucial p1 in a mid 2014 macbook pro

 

[backfire_12]

Hi All,

Update with my Macbook Air 13" 2013 - Sintech Long Adapter + Samsung Evo 970 NVMe (was Crucial P1)

Im happy to report, Windows 10 is working now thru BootCamp:
But it took me couple of sleepless nights and having to return Crucial P1 NVMe that I taught it causes the issue I had, ( I was wrong).

Some issues I had encountered with installing Windows 10:

1. EFI install does not work, Windows installation wont able to detect the drive, even Shift+F10 to run Diskpart wont. Even loading Samsung NVMe Controller driver.
2. Bootcamp installation work but with some issues:

2.1 BSOD at the first restart, configuring devices, solution - let it restart and shows
"The computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error"

Solution:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-68#post-26280119

2.2 Unresponsive, mouse cursor keeps busy and nothing can be run or click either from the mouse or the keyboard, even force off and restart will not solve this. This has been observe to exhibit when on battery, while charging this has not happen.

Solution:
While on charger, go to Windows Power Options - Advance - PCI Express - Both On Battery & Plugged In - should be set to "Moderate Power Savings"

2.3 Running BootCamp Control Panel - An Error Trying to access startup disk....

Solution: Create a desktop shortcut (copy and paste the link below) and Right Click - Run as Admin of...
C:\Windows\System32\runas.exe /trustlevel:0x20000 AppleControlPanel.exe

Hope this help you narrow some of the issue that you'll be facing when struck with similar problem. As 128 pages of post is not easy task of finding solutions (which I had to searching using keywords like Windows 10 and Bootcamp).

BTW, Majove runs well, even before with Crucial P1, thou Samsung is faster and responsive with MBA 2013. I think Crucial P1 is enough as Evo 970 isn't running on it's full potential. Maybe Intel 660P is the best balance of performance to power draw ratio. As Evo 970 draw more battery than similar QLC NVMe Crucial P1 (or Intel 660P).

This is the speed I got running AS-SSD (screenshot attached)

 

[Rob JJ]

Is you MacBook running the latest Mojave bootrom? If not, I recommend updating to 10.14.3 with the original Apple SSD before replacing the drive.

Although my MBPR isn't showing an update, I believe I know where to get it...just not sure WHY if it is available, would it not be showing as an available update.

 

[Audit13]

Although my MBPR isn't showing an update, I believe I know where to get it...just not sure WHY if it is available, would it not be showing as an available update.

For me, I have to check available updates a couple of times before it would show.

For Mojave, 10.14.2 included a bootrom update for my late 2013 13" Pro but 10.14.3 did not include a bootrom update.

 

[MpchBrwn]

Such little battery drain is pretty good if you are talking about a late 2013 13" MacBook Pro with the Adata sx8200 pro.

yes that's exactly the ssd I am using, the battery is not the original one I change it with an eBay one, probably not the best quality one a year ago.

 

[MpchBrwn]

Any pictures of where exactly the pin 1 is located on the motherboard chip?

When attached properly, the clip should just stay on and not need to be held in place. Just make sure you fit it the right way round: pin 1 of the flash chip should connect to the red edge of the ribbon cable; similarly, polarity needs to be observed at the programmer end of the ribbon cable.

Oh, one thing I found counterintuitive was that the SOIC adapter plugged into what looked like the lower half of the programmer's ZIF socket. There is a diagram on the bottom silkscreen of my programmer, but it took me some time to figure out what's what.

 

[BBsan]

Ok... now that I have everything in place (SX8200 Pro, CH341A, J6100), I can‘t get flashrom to recognize my EFI chip.
I always get No EEPROM/flash device found.

Unfortunately my J6100 also does not contain an LED, so it’s hard to tell if there is a physical connection problem or just a SW problem...

I‘m trying to upgrade a rMBP 13 2014.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[MpchBrwn]

Ok... now that I have everything in place (SX8200 Pro, CH341A, J6100), I can‘t get flashrom to recognize my EFI chip.
I always get No EEPROM/flash device found.

Unfortunately my J6100 also does not contain an LED, so it’s hard to tell if there is a physical connection problem or just a SW problem...

I‘m trying to upgrade a rMBP 13 2014.

Any help would be appreciated

To let Flash ROM recognize your chip plug battery conector and Mac Safe, just to let recognize your efi chip, to read/write your romr disconnect both first
see Page 62 ohnggni post for better understanding

 

[BBsan]

To let Flash ROM recognize your chip plug battery conector and Mac Safe, just to let recognize your efi chip, to read/write your romr disconnect both first
see Page 62 ohnggni post for better understanding

I did exactly this, but it didn‘t work. I‘m sure now that the hardware connection itself works, as I was able to use a Multimeter at the LED breakout on the J6100 Adapter.

Is it possible that some CH341A do not work well or there is a SW issue with flashrom?
I am using 1.0 from hombres on latest Mojave update...

 

[MpchBrwn]

I did exactly this, but it didn‘t work. I‘m sure now that the hardware connection itself works, as I was able to use a Multimeter at the LED breakout on the J6100 Adapter.

Is it possible that some CH341A do not work well or there is a SW issue with flashrom?
I am using 1.0 from hombres on latest Mojave update...

why don't you try the ch341A software is available on windows too, just in case
https://www.kazmielecom.com/2018/07/27/ch341a-usb-mini-programmer-software-free-download.html

would you mind also to explain how to locate the pin 1 of the motherboard EFI

 

[BBsan]

why don't you try the ch341A software is available on windows too, just in case
https://www.kazmielecom.com/2018/07/27/ch341a-usb-mini-programmer-software-free-download.html

would you mind also to explain how to locate the pin 1 of the motherboard EFI

As I‘m using a J6100 I don‘t know how exactly you could locate Pin 1, I‘m sorry...
I‘m gonna try from my Linux server here, as I don‘t have a windows machine..

 

[MpchBrwn]

am using 1.0 from hombres .....

I think someone mention not to use that version, and use a minor one

 

[aix2019]

Any pictures of where exactly the pin 1 is located on the motherboard chip?

I'd rather not take my laptop apart just to take a photo, but if you post a high-res picture of your laptop's EFI chip I'd be happy to point out pin 1. (It's always marked in one of a small number of ways discussed in the article I linked to earlier.)

 

[MpchBrwn]

I did exactly this, but it didn‘t work. I‘m sure now that the hardware connection itself works, as I was able to use a Multimeter at the LED breakout on the J6100 Adapter.

Is it possible that some CH341A do not work well or there is a SW issue with flashrom?
I am using 1.0 from hombres on latest Mojave update...

I'd rather not take my laptop apart just to take a photo, but if you post a high-res picture of your laptop's EFI chip I'd be happy to point out pin 1. (It's always marked in one of a small number of ways discussed in the article I linked to earlier.)

Ok thanks i will check

 

[BBsan]

Ok - I made it work
Problem was that I didn‘t disconnect battery before!

 

[Inge83]

Ok... now that I have everything in place (SX8200 Pro, CH341A, J6100), I can‘t get flashrom to recognize my EFI chip.
I always get No EEPROM/flash device found.

Unfortunately my J6100 also does not contain an LED, so it’s hard to tell if there is a physical connection problem or just a SW problem...

I‘m trying to upgrade a rMBP 13 2014.

Any help would be appreciated

Have you tried reducing the connection frequency?
It's flashrom's setting "spispeed" - especially the wires between programmer and chip are rather long, it might help to set it to a low frequency. It needs to be added comma-delimited to the programmer device, e.g.
-p linux_spi:dev=/dev/spidev0.0, spispeed=1000


Edit: Ok, I was a little late. Good to read that you made it work.

 

[MpchBrwn]

Ok - I made it work
Problem was that I didn‘t disconnect battery before!

Where you buy your J6100 Adapter?
The ones that i find are almost 50€, for that price I prefer a Matt Card

 

[Raf May]

Currently using this JSER adapter with an SX8200 without heatsink (don't want to add thickness) , no issues so far: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073F9LDD5/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Note: there are no soldered pins on my adapter compared to the image that's on Amazon. I'm also not using the included heat sink because of added thickness.

I notice that the Sintech long blackboard was causing the SX8200 to bend too much for my liking. While the JSER doesn't line up directly with the screw hole, you could still keep the SSD seated properly without any SSD bending. I'm gonna stick to this and see how it goes.
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Using the JSER short one... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073F9LDD5/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'll report back if any issues arises. So far so good. Restored 430gb worth of data from Timemachine without a hiccup

Adata idles at 0.19A which is a bit higher than my Intel 660p at 0.17A but I'm willing to make that sacrifice for better performance. 660p slows down to spinner HDD after SLC cache runs out. =/

At least with this Adata TLC drive it just slows down to SATA SSD speed 500MB/s after SLC cache runs dry.

Update:

Pretty happy with idle performance so far on the SX8200 960GB.

MBP 15" mid 2014
SX8200 960GB (no heatsink)
System idle total: 12w
SSD amperage low/high: 0.18A/1.25A
SSD temp low/high: 32C/44C

View attachment 783516
View attachment 784427

Hi Tony !

I currently brought the Intel 660p 1To with the JSER adapter. But my mid2014 macbook pro can’t see it even in the terminal with the diskutil list. Can you help me on this please ?

 

[Audit13]

Hi Tony !

I currently brought the Intel 660p 1To with the JSER adapter. But my mid2014 macbook pro can’t see it even in the terminal with the diskutil list. Can you help me on this please ?

Is the MacBook running the latest bootrom? You are using a Disk Utility High Sierra or Mojave?

 

[Raf May]

Is the MacBook running the latest bootrom? You are using a Disk Utility High Sierra or Mojave?

Yes I was running the last version of Mojave. Sorry I figured it out. I was using the internet recover instead of using a usb bootable mojave installation. Now it works fine and my MBP is recovering from Time Machine ! Thanks !