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

[Berlinsky]

So far across the Internet, I have seen the following SSDs update their BootROM with either the 2020-003 Security Update or 10.15.5..

- 1 TB OWC Aura Pro (ugh)
- 500 GB Samsung EVO Plus
- 1 TB Silicon Power

add those to the 1 TB Inland Premium and 500 GB 960 EVO..

And also the original EVO 970 2TB.

 

[paultman]

So far across the Internet, I have seen the following SSDs update their BootROM with either the 2020-003 Security Update or 10.15.5..

- 1 TB OWC Aura Pro (ugh)
- 500 GB Samsung EVO Plus
- 1 TB Silicon Power

add those to the 1 TB Inland Premium and 500 GB 960 EVO..

Interesting. Though I'd be surprised if it was limited to certain models... Is there anyone else who hasn't had the updated bootrom automatically besides in my case?

 

[Berlinsky]

Interesting. Though I'd be surprised if it was limited to certain models... Is there anyone else who hasn't had the updated bootrom automatically besides in my case?

This phenomenon isn't limited to non Apple SSDs, also certain iMac models won't update the BootROM for yet unknown reasons:

Some Macs don’t update their firmware when they should

Have you checked whether your Mac is running the latest version of firmware? For some iMacs, that might bring an unwelcome surprise.

eclecticlight.co

 

[splifingate]

Interesting. Though I'd be surprised if it was limited to certain models... Is there anyone else who hasn't had the updated bootrom automatically besides in my case?

MBP 12,1 with a 1TB Sabrent (ECFM12.3) on long Sintech does not take BootRom updates (automatically, or manually).

Regards, splifingate

 

[paultman]

This phenomenon isn't limited to non Apple SSDs, also certain iMac models won't update the BootROM for yet unknown reasons:

Some Macs don’t update their firmware when they should

Have you checked whether your Mac is running the latest version of firmware? For some iMacs, that might bring an unwelcome surprise.

eclecticlight.co

Interesting, thanks for that. Was thinking about trying to install Mojave (needed 32bit support for some tax software), your article mentions that on subsequent updates, sometimes it goes through.

 

[Audit13]

MBP 12,1 with a 1TB Sabrent (ECFM12.3) on long Sintech does not take BootRom updates (automatically, or manually).

Regards, splifingate

Which bootrom is currently running on your MacBook Pro?

I had an early 2015 13" Air running 10.14. When I updated to 10.14.2 with an Intel 600p inside, it accepted the Mojave bootrom update. I subsequently sold the machine to a co-worker's friend. I've had other earl 2015 13" Airs since this one and they all accepted Catalina bootrom updates with a HP ex900 and Lexar nm600.

 

[vince22]

MBP 12,1 with a 1TB Sabrent (ECFM12.3) on long Sintech does not take BootRom updates (automatically, or manually).

Regards, splifingate

same here, not a problem for me, I've alway use apple ahci ssd as a testbed for beta install.

 

[splifingate]

Which bootrom is currently running on your MacBook Pro?

I had an early 2015 13" Air running 10.14. When I updated to 10.14.2 with an Intel 600p inside, it accepted the Mojave bootrom update. I subsequently sold the machine to a co-worker's friend. I've had other earl 2015 13" Airs since this one and they all accepted Catalina bootrom updates with a HP ex900 and Lexar nm600.

186.0.0.0

Currently performing a clean install of Cat via Internet-Recovery (running sys was Cat upgraded from Moj) to see what happens before I resort to swapping-back-in the stock AAPL stick...

[edit: still 186.0.0.0 after a clean install of Cat 10.15.5 (19F96) . . . trying USB Installer, now...

edit^2: nup; that didn't work . . . original AAPL it needs to be, I guess

edit^3: so . . . swapping-back-in the original AAPL stick, and running MAS Cat bumped me up to 191.0.0.0]

Regards, splifingate

 

[DmitryZ]

Hi everybody =)
MacBook 15" 2014 with Sabrent Rocket 1Tb + long Sintech adapter and Chipmunk Matt Card with patch for SSD. Today laptop receive update from Catalina 10.15.4 to 10.15.5 and automatically update to 160.0.0.0.0 on Matt Card. Awesome, but this update erase patch for SSD -> Need backup EFI from Matt Card and patch again.

 

[Audit13]

Hi everybody =)
MacBook 15" 2014 with Sabrent Rocket 1Tb + long Sintech adapter and Chipmunk Matt Card with patch for SSD. Today laptop receive update from Catalina 10.15.4 to 10.15.5 and automatically update to 160.0.0.0.0 on Matt Card. Awesome, but this update erase patch for SSD -> Need backup EFI from Matt Card and patch again.

Did you have a chance to test hibernate mode 25 after the bootrom update? I assume deep sleep still doesn't work for a non-2015 MBP.

 

[selamet]

Have you tried re-installing the drive?

Today I have an opportunity to reinstall the drive. Hope it will fix the issue.

 

[POLJC]

Happy to report that I am using a TREBLEET Thunderbolt 3 SSD Enclosure with a Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe 4.0 Gen4 PCIe M.2 Internal SSD. I'm getting speeds of 2,350 MB/s Read/Write. I have a 2018 MacBook Pro with a 256 SSD, which only gives me about 1,325 MB/s. I am now booting off this enclosure and I can't believe the difference. It's night and day. I've been looking for an external drive to accommodate my 200GB Photos library, and with this drive, I can now store everything in one drive. It's awesome. I run my MacBook Pro in clamshell mode, connected to a 27-inch LG UHD monitor. I need to use my MacBook Pro because it's the only computer I have for home. I retired my awesome, but old Mac Pro. So, the laptop has become my main computer.

 

[Waughy]

Quick question. With the Adata drive, are users fitting the heat sink or leaving it off?

Cheers.

 

[Audit13]

Quick question. With the Adata drive, are users fitting the heat sink or leaving it off?

Cheers.

There isn't much space in the MacBook so you may have to remove it. If it fits, leave it and measure the temps to make sure the heatsink is not trapping the heat against the drive.

 

[Waughy]

There isn't much space in the MacBook so you may have to remove it. If it fits, leave it and measure the temps to make sure the heatsink is not trapping the heat against the drive.

Ive seen a few install pics with it used, but also read a review on Amazon where a user had to remove it because they claimed temps were getting pretty high with it on. I might leave it off and see how performance goes. Was just seeing if anyone had tested it out already and could give some insight into what’s better for it.

Adata XPG SX8200 480GB SSD Working Perfectly on my 2015 MacBook Pro 15”

 

[DmitryZ]

Did you have a chance to test hibernate mode 25 after the bootrom update?

No, I don't use deep sleep, but I can try enable it if you want. =)

 

[vkjuju]

I just upgraded macos to catalina 10.15.5, bootrom is also upgraded to 160.0.0.0.0, unfortunately, it will be automaticatlly shuted down after sleep, anyone hit the same thing on (2014 macbook pro 15 with toshiba xg6 1T ssd)? do we have to patch hibernate driver again? Thanks
I think I have to patch it again, if we upgrade macos for a nvme installed macbook unintentionlly, here are the steps:
1. backup your data
2. swap to the original ssd
3. upgrade macos
4. backup to timemachine
5. swap to nvme ssd
6. boot macbook and press "command+R"
7. recover from timemachane
8. extract the old driver and patch it again from page1
Pleae let me know if I am wrong

 

[macpro_mid2014]

I updated a Macbook Air Early 2015 with a Silicon Power 512MB NVMe and the short Sintech Adapter.

These are the results!

Original Apple SSD:

Silicon Power 512MB with short Sintech Adapter:

I had a minimum improvement. But, I did that because the original SSD was almost full and I need more space.


The laptop stays most of the time plugged in, therefore I don't know about battery life, etc.

I've been using the laptop for two weeks now without any issues.

 

[Audit13]

No, I don't use deep sleep, but I can try enable it if you want. =)

Thanks for the offer.

I was curious as to whether Apple enabled deep sleep for the 2013 and 2014 Air and Pro.

No need to test unless you are also curious.

I updated a Macbook Air Early 2015 with a Silicon Power 512MB NVMe and the short Sintech Adapter.

I had a minimum improvement. But, I did that because the original SSD was almost full and I need more space.

The laptop stays most of the time plugged in, therefore I don't know about battery life, etc.

I've been using the laptop for two weeks now without any issues.

The read/write results are in line with the maximum speeds provided by the Air's PCIe 2.0 x 4 bus.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[mo5214]

After the upgrade i notice some very high activity on the fan.
Since upgrade the fan did never shut down completly, and there seems to be high temps on the SSD and the CPU.

Attached are two images, one from the 2015 macbook with Samsung 970 Evo PLUS and one with original disk from 2014 retina. Both are 8Gb RAM and i5 processor.

on 2015 model CUP never drop below 40-50% and 70-80 C temp.
on 2014 model CPU idle around 0-20% and temp is sitting firm around 40 C temp.

Anyone have suggestions here? Is this from catalina, from the SSD or another annoying problem?

Is this due to the install is all fresh?

Looking at the SSD current draw there is HUGE difference, from 0,07A in 2014 model to 0,8A in 2015 model. This is 10x factor of increased power draw. This is when idle.

Temp on SSD is also big difference from 2014 model at 37 C degree to 35/53 in the 2015 model.

//GF

Samsung SSDs are consuming insane amounts of power due to Apple's Generic NVMe Driver doesn't have support for ASPM on Third party drives, which Samsung SSDS needs for low power consumption (It will consume even lower power than even Sabrent rocket once ASPM is enabled.). (I found out reading the SSD review site for my 970 Pro that provided the comparison) I tried forcing ASPM on and it crashed immediately after. Check my earlier posts in this thread for details.
[automerge]1590887721[/automerge]

One more confirmation.. a Late 2013 13-inch rMBP with Sintech adapter and Samsung 960 EVO 500 GB NVMe, successfully updated to BootROM 160.0.0.0 with macOS 10.15.5 update obtained via Software Update.

Makes you wonder if it wasn't legions of users with third party SSD drives constantly complaining to Apple that they weren't able to get their BootROMs updated that made them throw in the towel. Nahhhhhh....

It really is such a petty restriction when you think about it, well you didn't buy our super overpriced upgrade so no updated BootROM for you..

Could be that Apple's engineers are being generous. (behind their Management's back). Seen this before with MBP5,1 getting RAM cap upgrade from 6GB to 8GB in a bootROM upgrade

 

[vkjuju]

After upgrading my 2014 macbook pro(toshiba xg6 1T) from 10.15.4 to 10.15.5, I have to patch it again to get "hibernate 25" to work.

 

[giul]

Hey there, I would like to know which SSD I could fit in my macbook without having problems in reliability.
I have a mid 2014 15" MacBook Pro with 160.0.0.0.0 boot rom, running macOS Mojave 10.14.6.

How many percentage will I loose in one night if I choose to mount a NVMe SSD with the proper settings about disabling the hibernation mode? I read about 10%, it seems quite a lot for me. Are there any SSD's with moderate power consumption?
My model has the intel 4770HQ (the same as the mid 2015 model if I'm not mistaken), will the temperatures of SoC go up with the NVMe choice?

Leaving out the NVMe option I would like to mount (using the same adaptor) a slower SATA 3 PCIe SSD, will it work? Is this option plug and play? Consider that in this case I would like not to touch the settings regarding the hibernation mode so I can have a less power consuming pc when I close the lid and keep it closed for many hours.

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Audit13]

Hey there, I would like to know which SSD I could fit in my macbook without having problems in reliability.
I have a mid 2014 15" MacBook Pro with 160.0.0.0.0 boot rom, running macOS Mojave 10.14.6.

How many percentage will I loose in one night if I choose to mount a NVMe SSD with the proper settings about disabling the hibernation mode? I read about 10%, it seems quite a lot for me. Are there any SSD's with moderate power consumption?
My model has the intel 4770HQ (the same as the mid 2015 model if I'm not mistaken), will the temperatures of SoC go up with the NVMe choice?

Leaving out the NVMe option I would like to mount (using the same adaptor) a slower SATA 3 PCIe SSD, will it work? Is this option plug and play? Consider that in this case I would like not to touch the settings regarding the hibernation mode so I can have a less power consuming pc when I close the lid and keep it closed for many hours.

Thank you in advance for your help.

The amount lost over night really depends on apps that are open when you close the lid and disabling hibernation prevents the MacBook from entering low-power mode. Personally, I recommend completely powering off the MacBook each night. If the MacBook runs out of battery power over night, powering it on the next day means it will perform a cold boot and any data not saved will be gone.

Using a NVMe drive will also use more battery during normal use because macOS does not support multiple power modes with NVMe drives the way it does with Apple drives. This is a general rule that I follow: higher read/write speeds leads to higher battery drain.

The 2013 to 2015 Air and Pro cannot work with sata3 drives.

 

[giul]

The amount lost over night really depends on apps that are open when you close the lid and disabling hibernation prevents the MacBook from entering low-power mode. Personally, I recommend completely powering off the MacBook each night. If the MacBook runs out of battery power over night, powering it on the next day means it will perform a cold boot and any data not saved will be gone.

Using a NVMe drive will also use more battery during normal use because macOS does not support multiple power modes with NVMe drives the way it does with Apple drives. This is a general rule that I follow: higher read/write speeds leads to higher battery drain.

The 2013 to 2015 Air and Pro cannot work with sata3 drives.

Thank you for the response, I didn't know that I couldn't use SATA 3 drives. I usually prefer to keep it powered on because I like to have it ready when I need it.

Anyway, which SSD is known to be reliable and power efficient? I'm starting to look at the crucial P1, it seems quite good for my needs. I don't seek for the absolute performance, but a reliable drive.

 

[Audit13]

Thank you for the response, I didn't know that I couldn't use SATA 3 drives. I usually prefer to keep it powered on because I like to have it ready when I need it.

Anyway, which SSD is known to be reliable and power efficient? I'm starting to look at the crucial P1, it seems quite good for my needs. I don't seek for the absolute performance, but a reliable drive.

Hello, the P1 seems like a good choice. The Intel 760p and Intel 660p seem liked good choices too although I'm not sure that they are readily available.

If you want proper hibernation, you will have to flash your MacBook worth a modified bootrom.

People noted that their 2014 MacBooks accepted a bootrom update with a NVMe drive inside. Maybe these MacBooks now work with hibernation like the 2015 MacBooks?