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

[rvanassche]

It is too old!
with a firmware old like that you must use an INTERNAL original Apple SSD to be able to update the firmware to a newer version!
While using the external boot disk, download and run SilentKnight from eclecticlight.co
It will tell you which is the most recent version you should have been using!

Thank you, I will first (it is updating now) try Catalina on this MBA (via external SSD) in case it does itself a firmware update... I have downloaded these tools on a USB stick I will try them after.

 

[mork4]

Hi guys, i have done downgrade from Big Sur back to Catalina because of some issues and what i notice is big battery improvement.

 

[bokehthelion]

Hello guys! I've just checked out a Sintech adapter from Amazon for my MBP 15 late 2013. My old SSD is dead, so I'm looking for an SSD that would work flawlessly with the adapter (little to none config & FW update required since my old apple SSD is dead). Suggestions would be appreciated

TIA

 

[BaneDark]

Hello guys! I've just checked out a Sintech adapter from Amazon for my MBP 15 late 2013. My old SSD is dead, so I'm looking for an SSD that would work flawlessly with the adapter (little to none config & FW update required since my old apple SSD is dead). Suggestions would be appreciated

TIA

Im debating 1tb WD SN550 or Sabrent Rocket Gen3 X 4 - would appreciate some help as well

 

[xboxbml]

Looked at it again this weekend now that the Macbook 11.1 has the latest bootrom.

With the latest bootrom, the ADATA Gammix S11 (Silicon Motion Controller) can no longer be called a toaster.

Current power consumption in IDLE between 0.16A and 0.21A, burst under 1A - with the old bootrom version, the power consumption was at least twice as high on average.

It seems that Apple did manage some great changes in that particular field. Thanks so much!

Wow, nice! Yeah that's actually about on par with my power usage on this SX8200 Pro last I looked. I removed that software to look at that data a while ago. I'm happy with it the way it is. No issues at all.

 

[Aurora112]

Im debating 1tb WD SN550 or Sabrent Rocket Gen3 X 4 - would appreciate some help as well

go for products which relates on standard components, specially when it comes to memory controller.
Silicon Motion and Phison are the player in that game.

make long story short, wd uses their own developed controller, sabrent decided to get the full phison package - means pcb design and controller is made by them.

Sabrent Rocket (blue-black Label, NOT the blue-white!), TLC, DRAM,SLC, Phison E12, is much faster on Macbook 11,1 - 1350MB/s after 10 iterations in Blackmagic
WD is not as fast as sabrent, dramless and much cheaper these days (20-30Euro’s)

I would say, go for Sabrent - perfect match between performance and power consumption, a real NVME SSD

You won’t regret it.

Keep it up

 

[Aurora112]

Hello guys! I've just checked out a Sintech adapter from Amazon for my MBP 15 late 2013. My old SSD is dead, so I'm looking for an SSD that would work flawlessly with the adapter (little to none config & FW update required since my old apple SSD is dead). Suggestions would be appreciated

TIA

good is to know what your requirements are... that shows you the way to go.

Have a look into the spreadsheets on the wiki at the beginning and keep in mind that these informations are 6 months old, vendors plays sometimes a shaddy game (change of memorytype or controller which are not as good as the former one)

 

[Aurora112]

Hi guys, i have done downgrade from Big Sur back to Catalina because of some issues and what i notice is big battery improvement.

something seems to be good for some improvement in Big Sur. Its really sluggish compared to mojave for example.

 

[bokehthelion]

good is to know what your requirements are... that shows you the way to go.

Have a look into the spreadsheets on the wiki at the beginning and keep in mind that these informations are 6 months old, vendors plays sometimes a shaddy game (change of memorytype or controller which are not as good as the former one)

Thank you! I’m not actually after juicing out the speed that much. If performance would be same with the stock apple SSD, then I’m fine with that. I’m just after reliability since I use this machine on editing photos on the go.

Basically, this machine will be mainly used for photo editing using Lightroom. A few Photoshop and Illustrator use but nothing regular. Just Lightroom and Fotomagico for slideshow that’s it.

Thank you in advance!

edit: going for reliability and as plug-and-play as possible

 

[BaneDark]

Thank you! I’m not actually after juicing out the speed that much. If performance would be same with the stock apple SSD, then I’m fine with that. I’m just after reliability since I use this machine on editing photos on the go.

Basically, this machine will be mainly used for photo editing using Lightroom. A few Photoshop and Illustrator use but nothing regular. Just Lightroom and Fotomagico for slideshow that’s it.

Thank you in advance!

edit: going for reliability and as plug-and-play as possible

Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m pretty sure Sabrent Rocket (blue/black version) would be plug and play?

 

[rvanassche]

It is too old!
with a firmware old like that you must use an INTERNAL original Apple SSD to be able to update the firmware to a newer version!
While using the external boot disk, download and run SilentKnight from eclecticlight.co
It will tell you which is the most recent version you should have been using!

I have ordered a used 128 Gb original Apple SSD on a French website for 30€ . As soon I will receive it, I will install High Sierra on it, and hope it will update the firmware.

 

[sup123a]

Hi, mine is MacBook pro 2017 function keys.
I upgrade ssd to sabres 1TB using adaptor and find that battery drains about 2% per hour even in standby mode.

I tried NVMeFix but it does not help. seems it is not valid to my model.
Is there anyone using tis model and have success in preserve battery life?

 

[macpro_mid2014]

I have ordered a used 128 Gb original Apple SSD on a French website for 30€ . As soon I will receive it, I will install High Sierra on it, and hope it will update the firmware.

I suggest you install either Mojave, Catalina or Big Sur. Only these three have the most recent firmware.

 

[Aurora112]

Thank you! I’m not actually after juicing out the speed that much. If performance would be same with the stock apple SSD, then I’m fine with that. I’m just after reliability since I use this machine on editing photos on the go.

Basically, this machine will be mainly used for photo editing using Lightroom. A few Photoshop and Illustrator use but nothing regular. Just Lightroom and Fotomagico for slideshow that’s it.

Thank you in advance!

edit: going for reliability and as plug-and-play as possible

sabrent rocket blue/black version, the REAL NVME SSD with TLC 3D Nandt, check it out if you have got one. Have a look earlier in this thread for the phison software to read out your nmve sdd setup (Type of Nandt, DRAM, Firmware, Type of Controller etc.pp)

 

[Aurora112]

Hi, mine is MacBook pro 2017 function keys.
I upgrade ssd to sabres 1TB using adaptor and find that battery drains about 2% per hour even in standby mode.

I tried NVMeFix but it does not help. seems it is not valid to my model.
Is there anyone using tis model and have success in preserve battery life?

what type of adaptor did you get?
Should be sintech for sure.

What Bootrom do you have?


Macbook 11,1 with Sabrent 1Tb, Mojave, zero drains in standby, in idle on battery get the usual 0,09A WITH NvmeFix

 

[sup123a]

what type of adaptor did you get?
Should be sintech for sure.

What Bootrom do you have?


Macbook 11,1 with Sabrent 1Tb, Mojave, zero drains in standby, in idle on battery get the usual 0,09A WITH NvmeFix

My adaptor is NFHK.
My bottom version is 429.100.7.0.0 .

I tried NVMeFix and Lilu but they do not help.

 

[Aurora112]

My adaptor is NFHK.
My bottom version is 429.100.7.0.0 .

I tried NVMeFix and Lilu but they do not help.

Correct me if I’m wrong, sintech is the way to go.

I do not believe sabrent ssd runs in an older machine as you have (2013 vs. 2017) and not in yours...
so im guessing the issues is somehow around your NFHK adapter.

To rule out any source of error i recommend to update the bootrom to the latest available one - 431.00

 

[rvanassche]

I suggest you install either Mojave, Catalina or Big Sur. Only these three have the most recent firmware.

Hello , some good news : I did a swap of SSD between 2 macbook air

The first is a Macbook air 7,2 13p and has a boot rom version of 427 : I took his Apple SSD and re-installed Big Sur with the sintech + NVME drive, TimeMachine etc.. all is working on it, no fan noise, no sleep problems, no high temperature, the NVME gives me 1460 mb/sec in speedtest read, about 1100 in write. Are those numbers good ? It seems that the MBA is more responsive.

So for the MacBook 6,1 11p where Mojave couldn't be installed directly : I have put the apple 128 Gb SSD in it, reboot , USB installation of El Capitan : no firmware update, Sierra : nothing, Sierra security update : HOLY COW , TAdaaaaam : boot rom was something more recent. Mojave installation with AFPS conversion : OK, Mojave update... all is working. Big Sur installation after that : 100% working and now I have a very recent boot rom : 431.

I would like to say thank you for your assistance, and also to 2 others people here.

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Hello , some good news : I did a swap of SSD between 2 macbook air

The first is a Macbook air 7,2 13p and has a boot rom version of 427 : I took his Apple SSD and re-installed Big Sur with the sintech + NVME drive, TimeMachine etc.. all is working on it, no fan noise, no sleep problems, no high temperature, the NVME gives me 1460 mb/sec in speedtest read, about 1100 in write. Are those numbers good ? It seems that the MBA is more responsive.

So for the MacBook 6,1 11p where Mojave couldn't be installed directly : I have put the apple 128 Gb SSD in it, reboot , USB installation of El Capitan : no firmware update, Sierra : nothing, Sierra security update : HOLY COW , TAdaaaaam : boot rom was something more recent. Mojave installation with AFPS conversion : OK, Mojave update... all is working. Big Sur installation after that : 100% working and now I have a very recent boot rom : 431.

I would like to say thank you for your assistance, and also to 2 others people here.

The read/write numbers are oK!! Congrats!!

 

[Aurora112]

Hello , some good news : I did a swap of SSD between 2 macbook air

The first is a Macbook air 7,2 13p and has a boot rom version of 427 : I took his Apple SSD and re-installed Big Sur with the sintech + NVME drive, TimeMachine etc.. all is working on it, no fan noise, no sleep problems, no high temperature, the NVME gives me 1460 mb/sec in speedtest read, about 1100 in write. Are those numbers good ? It seems that the MBA is more responsive.

So for the MacBook 6,1 11p where Mojave couldn't be installed directly : I have put the apple 128 Gb SSD in it, reboot , USB installation of El Capitan : no firmware update, Sierra : nothing, Sierra security update : HOLY COW , TAdaaaaam : boot rom was something more recent. Mojave installation with AFPS conversion : OK, Mojave update... all is working. Big Sur installation after that : 100% working and now I have a very recent boot rom : 431.

I would like to say thank you for your assistance, and also to 2 others people here.

Thumbs up, Thumbs up Mister!

 

[Elviss116]

Hi, what is command for disabble sleep mode ??

i have wd sn550 in my MacBook Pro 2015 13 inch. When i Close for 30 minuts and open , Is ok. But when i Close for 1 hour and open in the display i see chinesse text with circle danger

 

[Pistiku]

Hi, what is command for disabble sleep mode ??

i have wd sn550 in my MacBook Pro 2015 13 inch. When i Close for 30 minuts and open , Is ok. But when i Close for 1 hour and open in the display i see chinesse text with circle danger

I am using the same ssd without any issue in my 2015 13 inch macbook pro early. What type of adapter you bought? I bought from ebay a cheap adapter but was ok and support 4 lane, however in case I also ordered a sintec what was arrived yesterday and I replaced but nothing was changed. Everything works fine on Big sur.

 

[Elviss116]

I am using the same ssd without any issue in my 2015 13 inch macbook pro early. What type of adapter you bought? I bought from ebay a cheap adapter but was ok and support 4 lane, however in case I also ordered a sintec what was arrived yesterday and I replaced but nothing was changed. Everything works fine on Big sur.

i bought my adapter in aliexpress, i tested yesterday and works perfect when close my mac.

what temperature is your mac?

my mac is in 90' or 100 C when use android studio

 

[Pistiku]

i bought my adapter in aliexpress, i tested yesterday and works perfect when close my mac.

what temperature is your mac?

my mac is in 90' or 100 C when use android studio

I don't observe any overheating issue. Works like with original ssd everything is smooth. Only battery drain on sleep mode (1-2%/ hour) nothing else.

 

[BaneDark]

Is it worth getting cheap adapter and hoping for it to work well like the sintech one? Anyone knows any other place in UK where you can get Sintech adapter cheaper than Amazon? Thanks!