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

[Audit13]

Apple drives are not standard as they use a proprietary connector, apple does not sell the ssd on its own, apple drives are ahci which is becoming increasingly rare, and buying an original apple ssd is not cheap.

 

[gymboy]

Please forgive the lame question but what is the advantage going this route as opposed to replacing the drive with a standard SSD?

It will be cheaper as compared to getting a original Apple SSD I would say, which is the reason why I am going along with this route as well especially with macOS High Sierra having NVMe support

 

[idntknw]

Thanks for the replies. So what is the average cost for lets say a 500GB going this route.

And are there any disadvantages using this drive.

 

[Audit13]

Thanks for the replies. So what is the average cost for lets say a 500GB going this route.

And are there any disadvantages using this drive.

What is the exact model of the Macbook you want to upgrade? The linked SSD does not work in the late 2013 and newer Macbook Pro.

 

[idntknw]

Sorry. Mid 2012 rMBP 15"

 

[Audit13]

This thread is not for the mid 2012 retina.

 

[tensevensun]

Samsung 960 evo actually works, but, in my case I have some reboot issues (blinking folder upon reboot) so I would recommend to buy Intel 600p 1TB that I tested for 2 days on a client's machine and it WORKS, obviovsly with proper kapton tape.

Perfect, thanks for the advice. I'll go with the Intel 600p 1tb instead.
[doublepost=1515354781][/doublepost]If it hasn't been mentioned, turning the old internal drive into an external.

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MAU3ENPRPCI/

 

[shaobsh]

After reading through all the pages, I'm completely torn between the Intel 600p1TB or the Samsung Evo 960 1TB for my rMBP (late 2013). Should I hold off until the Samsung SSD becomes more stable? Any input would be greatly appreciated because I'm suffering decision fatigue at this point

 

[monofase]

Do u have a picture of how we are supposed to do the taping?

Yes, this is what I've done:

 

[gymboy]

Yes, this is what I've done:

Thank you so much! Will try that once my sintech adapter arrives in the UK

 

[tensevensun]

After reading through all the pages, I'm completely torn between the Intel 600p1TB or the Samsung Evo 960 1TB for my rMBP (late 2013). Should I hold off until the Samsung SSD becomes more stable? Any input would be greatly appreciated because I'm suffering decision fatigue at this point

Same situation, was thinking of going with the Intel 600p1tb or the Samsung9601tb. At $150 difference your getting better write speed with the Evo.

Users that have either or have you experienced any issues besides the 'reboot issues (blinking folder upon reboot)'? With the sleep problem would that problem happen if I closed the lid and re-opened?

 

[majonex]

Please forgive the lame question but what is the advantage going this route as opposed to replacing the drive with a standard SSD?

The major advantage is saving 50% of the price of an original Apple SSD. E.g. a Samsung EVO 960 500GB that on the paper outperforms the original Apple SSD below the price of an original (or used) Apple SSD.

 

[monofase]

Same situation, was thinking of going with the Intel 600p1tb or the Samsung9601tb. At $150 difference your getting better write speed with the Evo.

Users that have either or have you experienced any issues besides the 'reboot issues (blinking folder upon reboot)'? With the sleep problem would that problem happen if I closed the lid and re-opened?

The Samsung has better write speed, about 1200 mb/s, like the stock Apple drive.
Intel writes about 600mb/s that's an acceptable performance and always better than the OWC overpriced drives.

SAMSUNG:
I resolved the sleep bug (closing lid and leaving the machine closed overnight) but still have the reboot issue. Also tried to add more layers of tape but the problem is still there. I will keep the machine (i bought it just for testing issues) and try with the green large sintech adapter when it arrives here in Italy.

I also add that the SAME drive with the SAME adapter works without problems in a MacBook Air 2014.

Probably as gilles_polysoft says we need to wait for an upgraded NVMe driver by Apple.

Another way is to patch the kext, but after some macOS update it will be replaced by the original kext.

 

[tensevensun]

The Samsung has better write speed, about 1200 mb/s, like the stock Apple drive.
Intel writes about 600mb/s that's an acceptable performance and always better than the OWC overpriced drives.

SAMSUNG:
I resolved the sleep bug (closing lid and leaving the machine closed overnight) but still have the reboot issue. Also tried to add more layers of tape but the problem is still there. I will keep the machine (i bought it just for testing issues) and try with the green large sintech adapter when it arrives here in Italy.

I also add that the SAME drive with the SAME adapter works without problems in a MacBook Air 2014.

Probably as gilles_polysoft says we need to wait for an upgraded NVMe driver by Apple.

Another way is to patch the kext, but after some macOS update it will be replaced by the original kext.

When you say reboot issue, what exactly happens? As I'll be running bootcamp & ios HS i'll have to reboot back and forth a couple times a day.

 

[monofase]

When you say reboot issue, what exactly happens? As I'll be running bootcamp & ios HS i'll have to reboot back and forth a couple times a day.

Simply does not reboot automatically in macOS and a blinking folder logo appears. Need to push the power button to shut down the Mac and then power it back on. And then works, but the boot time is slower than the original SSD/Intel SSD. After the Mac is booted on it works very well, including sleep. I haven't tried windows for now.

 

[yjj_girlss]

Dear All

Today I've recieved my ordered adapters from sintech.
Unfortunately all the adapters are the 3.0 version that with black PCB.
And it still have the reboot issue in this version.

So I asked for customer support and he told me I can get the green bigger adapater from here.
http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1143.html

Anyway I don't need the driver......

 

[Audit13]

@yjj_girlss , which Macbook and which ssd has the reboot problem?

 

[gymboy]

Dear All

Today I've recieved my ordered adapters from sintech.
Unfortunately all the adapters are the 3.0 version that with black PCB.
And it still have the reboot issue in this version.

So I asked for customer support and he told me I can get the green bigger adapater from here.
http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1143.html

Anyway I don't need the driver......

Damn, I just made my orders for the sintech adapters last week. Not sure which ones I'm gonna get

 

[flemmingdjensen]

Hi All!

Here is an update from me about my experiences so far!

I have the MacBook Pro 2014 Mid, 2.5 Ghz, 15" with Intel Iris graphics 1,5Gbyte and 16gigs of ram

I have the "good" larger green adapter from Sintech. I received the package from Singapore and it contains two screw drivers as well.

I put one layer of Permacel (Kapton) tape under the adapter in order to prevent shorts.

Well first I tried the Samsung EVO 960 1TB. Restored a time machine backup first and then started up Bootcamp Assist in order to partition 250 GB to be used as Windows 10 partition.

Tried clonezilla first but ended up using WinClone Standard. First tried WinClone Basic but found out that I could only make an image file of the internal drive! So needed to upgrade to Standard - this pisses me off.

I got read speeds of ~1450 and reads about 1350 in Black Magic speed test and everything was fine.

Suddenly I began to experience sudden halts resulting in kernal panics. And strangely these became more and more often until I finally decided that this is not good enough.

Next step was to try the Kingston KC1000 1TB.

Same procedure - restore of time machine backup - but this time I partitioned the disk in Disk administrator to be 700G and 250G. The last being a FAT32. This works better when you restore the Windows partition using WinClone.

This time it seems much better - now no kernel panics Speeds around 1300 read/write

Day two still performing well - but then after waking from sleep I got kernel panic. Hmmm.

Reboot and then I went into system report to check the NVMe status. Suddenly only connected as x2 and not x4.

Tried Black Magic and now speeds around 750 r/w - which is a little bit faster than my old 512G Apple Drive.

Now just an hour ago I opened the computer again and put one more layer of Kapton tape under neath the adapter and also som tape on top of the connectors. (This makes no sense )

So I am trying this finally step now. I can see that I am again only connected x2 so around 750 unfortunately.

So my Macbook randomly negotiates either x2 or x4 speeds when loading the os!

I can kind of live with this if the system is stable and I stop seeing kernel panics.

And I am using this sleep configuration: "sudo pmset -a standby 0"

If this turns out unstable - I will revert back to my old orig 512MByte drive...

Hoping Apple will update the IONVMe driver to be more stable and support the EVO series in the future!!!

Best regards Flemming Dahlhof Jensen - and best of luck

 

[jtl_]

Hi all.

I have a 15" mid-2015 MBP. Currently running OS X 10.11.6 but willing to upgrade for NVMe support.

Model # is MJLT2LL or A1398 (which appears to be a generic one for all 15" retina MBPs)

Is the system compatible with AHCI and NVMe M.2 SSD's with the right adapter? Or just NVMe? Seeing how the original 512GB Apple SSD is AHCI.

Thanks.

 

[gilles_polysoft]

Do u have a picture of how we are supposed to do the taping?

Hi,
try to do the insulation like on that photo.
The aim is to take away and insulate the pins of the sintech adapter from the shield of the apple connector.

 

[flemmingdjensen]

Hi,

I have been wondering about if these Sintech NGFF (or other brands) adapters are designed completely using the correct LVDS guidelines?

Each PCIe lane is actually a LVDS interface consisting of two unidirectional differential pairs that should be designed using LVDS design rules:

===================================================

• LVDS utilizes a differential transmission scheme, which means that every LVDS signal uses two lines. The voltage difference between these two lines defines the value of the LVDS signal. For successful transmission of LVDS signals over differential traces, the following guidelines should be followed while laying out the board.
• To ensure minimal reflections and maintain the receiver’s common mode noise rejection, run the differential traces as closely as possible after they leave the driving IC. Also, to avoid discontinuities in the differential impedance, the distance between the differential LVDS signals should remain constant over the entire length of the traces.
• To minimize skew, the electrical lengths between the differential LVDS traces should be the same. Arrival of one of the signals before the other creates a phase difference between the signal pair, which impairs the system performance by reducing the available receiver skew margin (RSKM).
• Minimize the number of vias or other discontinuities on the signal path.
• Any parasitic loading, such as capacitance, must be present in equal amounts to each line of the differential pair.
• To avoid signal discontinuities, arcs or 45traces are recommended instead of 90turns.

Source: https://www.altera.com/en_US/pdfs/literature/wp/wp_lvdsboard.pdf
===================================================

Are these "China" boards properly designed?

Is it maybe skew in the differental lines that are causing problems for us?

BR Flemming Dahlhof Jensen

 

[majonex]

Hi All!
Reboot and then I went into system report to check the NVMe status. Suddenly only connected as x2 and not x4.
Tried Black Magic and now speeds around 750 r/w - which is a little bit faster than my old 512G Apple Drive.
Now just an hour ago I opened the computer again and put one more layer of Kapton tape under neath the adapter and also som tape on top of the connectors. (This makes no sense )
So I am trying this finally step now. I can see that I am again only connected x2 so around 750 unfortunately.
So my Macbook randomly negotiates either x2 or x4 speeds when loading the os!

Hei Flemming! welcome to one of the largest discussions here (at least that I follow). There are different opinions on the capton tape. I had the same problem with 2-lane/4-lane. Solved so far with capton tape on the bottom so the pins do not short to the metal around the connector. Also on the top capton tape between the ssd pins and the metal around the connector. Let me know if this is unclear and I can take a picture. See #671 from @gilles_polysoft! I now get constant 4-lane on both MBA and MBP.

Best success for now is Intel 600P 512GB where I get almost max out of it (ca. 700 MB/s - 1400 MB/s). I am testing now Samsung SM951. I think the ssds with chips on only one side run cooler than those on both sides. Heat I see is a concern and I wonder what drives give most performance compared to heat/power draw.

For deep sleep issues (my only problem at the moment) I tried different settings but the only thing that works is to lock the /var/vm/sleepimage to not writeable.

 

[jtl_]

Hi,

I have been wondering about if these Sintech NGFF (or other brands) adapters are designed completely using the correct LVDS guidelines?

Each PCIe lane is actually a LVDS interface consisting of two unidirectional differential pairs that should be designed using LVDS design rules:

===================================================

• LVDS utilizes a differential transmission scheme, which means that every LVDS signal uses two lines. The voltage difference between these two lines defines the value of the LVDS signal. For successful transmission of LVDS signals over differential traces, the following guidelines should be followed while laying out the board.
• To ensure minimal reflections and maintain the receiver’s common mode noise rejection, run the differential traces as closely as possible after they leave the driving IC. Also, to avoid discontinuities in the differential impedance, the distance between the differential LVDS signals should remain constant over the entire length of the traces.
• To minimize skew, the electrical lengths between the differential LVDS traces should be the same. Arrival of one of the signals before the other creates a phase difference between the signal pair, which impairs the system performance by reducing the available receiver skew margin (RSKM).
• Minimize the number of vias or other discontinuities on the signal path.
• Any parasitic loading, such as capacitance, must be present in equal amounts to each line of the differential pair.
• To avoid signal discontinuities, arcs or 45traces are recommended instead of 90turns.

Source: https://www.altera.com/en_US/pdfs/literature/wp/wp_lvdsboard.pdf
===================================================

Are these "China" boards properly designed?

Is it maybe skew in the differental lines that are causing problems for us?

BR Flemming Dahlhof Jensen

I thought LVDS was only for screens?

I'd be curious what's causing the sleep issue for some people, although I suspect that would be more driver/firmware related.

Anyone NOT have the sleep issue?

 

[Marno]

Hi to all, gilles_polysoft and @t0mx (and specials thinks to gilles!).
I just ordered a KC1000 980GB (with PCIe adapter for 380€!) for my MBPro 13" 2015 thanks to the people who worked, tried, and made many attempts to debug the subject of this on this thread.
I now need one more advice on the NGFF adaptor considering the current problem with the black V3 (gilles, would you like me to make some test with a V2 green adaptor ? ). The Sintech is the best one if I recall correctly. Where Would you advise me to buy one considering I am in France for months now?


PS: for those living in western EU, Kingston KC1000 for cheap price in January 2018 :
https://www.rueducommerce.fr/produi...carte-fille-pcie-hhhl-29201938/offre-70996150
or
http://www.rueducommerce.fr/produit...-67-75[lien_profond]-120001[zanox]-[deeplink]