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

[Audit13]

Thank you, I have updated to High Sierra. Is there any difference between this

https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adap...&qid=1526043676&sr=8-1&keywords=ST-NGFF2013-C

and the large green adapter,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/M2-M-Key-S...863013?hash=item33d50f0365&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

Seems like some people prefer this vs the others. I did notice, it seems most people with the late 2013 15" MBPs till the 2015 models have issues when the laptop goes to deep sleep hibernation mode. Is there anyway we can increase that time to beyond 4 hours. Its one of my favorite features, and I will resume working on my laptop usually in a few hours, perhaps increase that to 24hours or something.

I'm using the large, green Sintech in two Macbook Air 13" early 2015 models. Both have Intel 600p nvme drives and there have been no kernel panics, sleep issues, or excessive battery drain while others have had problems with the Samsung drives.

The larger black adapter appears to have Kapton tape pre-applied while the green adapter requires you to add your own tape.

I'm not sure about deep hibernation mode as both Airs are running a stock HS OS without any modifications to sleep mode.

 

[Jilly Bowman]

Thank you, I have updated to High Sierra. Is there any difference between this

https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adap...&qid=1526043676&sr=8-1&keywords=ST-NGFF2013-C

and the large green adapter,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/M2-M-Key-S...863013?hash=item33d50f0365&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

Seems like some people prefer this vs the others. I did notice, it seems most people with the late 2013 15" MBPs till the 2015 models have issues when the laptop goes to deep sleep hibernation mode. Is there anyway we can increase that time to beyond 4 hours. Its one of my favorite features, and I will resume working on my laptop usually in a few hours, perhaps increase that to 24hours or something.

The two adapters. you show are elecrically identical and work the same, the long black one however in my opinion mounts the SSD in a more stable manner. 2013/14 MBP's use a different bootrom to the 2015 MBP and this causes the sleep problems on 2013/14 variants. 2015 seems fine.

 

[imax2k2]

I'm using the large, green Sintech in two Macbook Air 13" early 2015 models. Both have Intel 600p nvme drives and there have been no kernel panics, sleep issues, or excessive battery drain while others have had problems with the Samsung drives.

The larger black adapter appears to have Kapton tape pre-applied while the green adapter requires you to add your own tape.

I'm not sure about deep hibernation mode as both Airs are running a stock HS OS without any modifications to sleep mode.

I understand, I think the newer model you have, has better compatibility because of the updated bootrom.

The two adapters. you show are elecrically identical and work the same, the long black one however in my opinion mounts the SSD in a more stable manner. 2013/14 MBP's use a different bootrom to the 2015 MBP and this causes the sleep problems on 2013/14 variants. 2015 seems fine.

Yep that part sucks about the bootrom. Do we know whats the exact interface the original apple drives have, which somehow make them perfectly fine for the bootrom to work?

 

[Jilly Bowman]

I understand, I think the newer model you have, has better compatibility because of the updated bootrom.



Yep that part sucks about the bootrom. Do we know whats the exact interface the original apple drives have, which somehow make them perfectly fine for the bootrom to work?

Even genuine apple NVMe drives have the same issues. only non NVMe drives work properly.
[doublepost=1526068131][/doublepost]

Even genuine apple NVMe drives have the same issues. only non NVMe drives work properly.

Also the 2013/14 & 15 have the exact same PCIe connections.

 

[chrissnn]

Hi to all,

I just tried to make a little table of all the SSD I've tested so far. Hope it helps a little.

View attachment 746441

PS : I'm waiting for a Toshiba XG5 and will add it to the results in a few days.
If you have other data or results, please tell me so that I can add them or confirm or infirm the datas I have.

[EDIT]: I just add the same table sorted by price instead of by name

View attachment 746448

Does this table also apply for the MBP 2015 13"? Just to be sure.

I bought a XG3 1Tb for my MBp 13" 2015. My colleague wants the same configuration, but since the XG3 1 TB is hard to find I'm looking for other possibilities.

 

[yesnoj]

Ho guys, i've a problem.If i run in recovery mode i cannot see the 960evo...
I have created a partition for the 960evo like suggested in this video

using a live USB Ubuntu.
Please help

Update:
I've re-cloned my Mac with Carbon Copy Cloner (Just to bè sure) and reboot the Mac with the external hdd connected.
At the boot sound ivei pressed CMD+R ...but instead of release instantly i've continue to Press a few seconds. Now, instead of the world spinning recocery icon , that allows to download the recovery partition from wifi, starts the recovery from the usb cloned drive!Now i can see the SSD installed but cannot restore the cloned drive, wasn't selectable. I solved re-initializing again the SSD, setting ad Mac OS journaled and now i can select the clone from external drive a restore the system!
This video was useful !

I'm still waiting for the ending restore process

 

[Audit13]

Internet recovery mode is Command+Option+R: http://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/02/25/how-to-start-up-your-mac-in-internet-recovery-mode/

Recovery mode is Command + R: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201255

 

[yesnoj]

Internet recovery mode is Command+Option+R: http://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/02/25/how-to-start-up-your-mac-in-internet-recovery-mode/

Recovery mode is Command + R: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201255

Thanks for your answer!Strange, but im sure that i press only CMD+R...however i've just online with my new EVO after 1h.45min of restoring!
There are some command to prompt to prevent some issues?
Thanks ^_^

UPDATE: Already had 4 crashes...is possible to solve?! :°(
This is the report ...

*** Panic Report ***
panic(cpu 2 caller 0xffffff7f9c15e28e): nvme: "Fatal error occurred. CSTS=0x3
. FW Revision=3B7QCXE7\n"@/BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/IONVMeFamily/IONVMeFamily-356.50.26/IONVMeController.cpp:5275
Backtrace (CPU 2), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff914b02ba10 : 0xffffff801aa6e166
0xffffff914b02ba60 : 0xffffff801ab96714
0xffffff914b02baa0 : 0xffffff801ab88a00
0xffffff914b02bb20 : 0xffffff801aa20180
0xffffff914b02bb40 : 0xffffff801aa6dbdc
0xffffff914b02bc70 : 0xffffff801aa6d99c
0xffffff914b02bcd0 : 0xffffff7f9c15e28e
0xffffff914b02be30 : 0xffffff801b09f71c
0xffffff914b02bea0 : 0xffffff801b09f646
0xffffff914b02bed0 : 0xffffff801aaa77e4
0xffffff914b02bf40 : 0xffffff801aaa7345
0xffffff914b02bfa0 : 0xffffff801aa1f4f7
Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
com.apple.iokit.IONVMeFamily(2.1)[AAD9E232-4F00-3702-9310-C5ABB53A5B6F]@0xffffff7f9c14a000->0xffffff7f9c188fff
dependency: com.apple.driver.AppleMobileFileIntegrity(1.0.5)[E56BF7DF-B38F-3193-9A02-9DB0BAC70D7A]@0xffffff7f9b779000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[580E0204-B37A-32BA-AC27-E8DBCA519B1F]@0xffffff7f9b334000
dependency: com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM(2.1)[F35A52E2-CF80-3BA9-92B5-25EFE216094F]@0xffffff7f9c13f000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily(2.1)[F27A8A2A-6662-3608-83BD-415037509E01]@0xffffff7f9b251000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOReportFamily(31)[D2F2FBDF-4EE4-38BA-99F5-B699F886F413]@0xffffff7f9c0de000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
Boot args: b
EOF
Model: MacBookPro11,1, BootROM MBP111.0145.B00, 2 processors, Intel Core i5, 2,4 GHz, 8 GB, SMC 2.16f68
Graphics: Intel Iris, Intel Iris, Built-In
Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1600 MHz, 0x02FE, -
Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1600 MHz, 0x02FE, -
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0x112), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (7.77.37.29.1a7)
Bluetooth: Version 6.0.5f3, 3 services, 18 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en0
USB Device: USB 3.0 Bus
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
USB Device: BRCM20702 Hub
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Thunderbolt Bus: MacBook Pro, Apple Inc., 17.2

 

[Audit13]

The kernel panic looks to be directly related to the nvme drive.

Rather than restoring from TM, try a clean installation of High Sierra.

 

[yesnoj]

I've to thanks the amazing help of @gilles_polysoft for the step-by-step help he give me last night!
These is what i've done for my MCP 13" late 2013 and 960evo

• Prepare a clone of MacOS with Carbon Copy Cloner on a free hdd. In my case i've used a 500gb standard hd.
• Put a piece of tape on the connector like in the image tapeAdapter.jpg . The tape shall be placed from the top end of the contact that shall be placed in the connector inside the mac to prevent these can be in touch with the metal connector of the macbook itself.In my case i've used a Sintech adapter (black long edition)
• Dismantle the MacBook and place the adapter with the 960evo and link the external drive with clone MacOS.
• Run the MacBook using the ALT command and select the clone external drive, in my case was the first yellow hard drive icon to the left.
• Once booted, it can took a while depends of the speed of the drive itself, go to DiscUtility and format the SSD like in the following image formatSSD.jpg . So select the volume, not the entire SSD, and select:
  • Format : APFS
  • Schema : Guid partition table

and click initialize. After the finish you should have something similar to the finishedFormatSSD.jpg​

• Now we have just to restore the cloned drive with Carbon Copy Cloner itself ,select the external hd as source and the SSD as destination, like in the image restoreCloned.jpg and wait. SafetyNet won't do anything because the new hard drive (MacOS) is empty. In my case it tooks about 3 hours to restore all the things.
• Shut down the macbook and remove the external hdd, now the Mac shall boot from the internal SSD. Once is booted select in System Preferences - Boot Disk the ssd as boot device.
• Type in console the command "sudo pmset stanby 0" to prevent the full hybernation and it shall be all ok. In the image theFinalSituation.jpg there is visible how now is the SSD after all the things done.

Again an HUGE THANKS to @gilles_polysoft for helping me. Now i've to test my MacBook if all is ok.
If @gilles_polysoft had not helped me, I would have started the practice to return the 960evo to Amazon on monday.
Hope this helps, waiting for @gilles_polysoft corrections to my process if there are.
Have a nice sunday

UPDATE: After over 3hrs of closed lid, once opened it's ok! Im happy
UPDATE2: After 3 days , closed lid at night, and always ON...NO PROBLEMS AT ALL! I think i will sell my old 250gb

 

[gilles_polysoft]

Does this table also apply for the MBP 2015 13"? Just to be sure.

I bought a XG3 1Tb for my MBp 13" 2015. My colleague wants the same configuration, but since the XG3 1 TB is hard to find I'm looking for other possibilities.

Hello,
yes the table is valid for any mac that has NVMe compatibility.
On your 13" rMBP max speed will be limited in any case to 1500MB/s (because of PCIe 2.0 instead of 3.0)
I'll add soon other tested SSD : Kingtson A1000 and MyDigital (which are slowest because of 2x lanes but very cheap)

I've to thanks the amazing help of @gilles_polysoft for the step-by-step help he give me last night!
[...] Now i've to test my MacBook if all is ok.
If @gilles_polysoft had not helped me, I would have started the practice to return the 960evo to Amazon on monday.
Hope this helps, waiting for @gilles_polysoft corrections to my process if there are.
Have a nice sunday

Hello Francesco,
thanks a lot for your update, hope everything is ok now...
The main problems you had were due to wrong advices in the following video :

unfortunately, there is some errors in this video :
- the author doesn't speak of kapton tape insulation (we all know here this is a pre-requirement for stable use)
- he advices a M.2 adapter which is known to cause reboot issues on Samsung drives
- he advice to format to HFS+ which is unfortunately an error with Samsung drives... it gives kernel panics.
Samsung drives only run well on APFS as of today.

 

[Matejh]

Oh no Francesco you have MacKeeper installed.
Remove it ASAP. You can use Malwarebytes for Mac, if you're not experienced enough to remove it by hand.
Good luck!

 

[yesnoj]

Oh no Francesco you have MacKeeper installed.
Remove it ASAP. You can use Malwarebytes for Mac, if you're not experienced enough to remove it by hand.
Good luck!

I had assumed that was not a good thing!
I removed it using AppRemover...just done in a second!
Thanks for your hint!

 

[gilles_polysoft]

I had assumed that was not a good thing!
I removed it using AppRemover...just done in a second!
Thanks for your hint!

Hi Francesco, you can also follow the advice of Matejh to use Malwarebytes : it will check if MacKeeper didn't let any launchAgent/ launchDaemon there...
Malwarebytes can be use from time to time without subscription if you disable real-time protection. I strongly advise to run it from time to time even on a system without issue...

PS to Matejh : well done to have noticed

 

[ericjojo]

The two adapters. you show are elecrically identical and work the same, the long black one however in my opinion mounts the SSD in a more stable manner. 2013/14 MBP's use a different bootrom to the 2015 MBP and this causes the sleep problems on 2013/14 variants. 2015 seems fine.

Hi Jilly, you said you're using sm961 with Sintech long black adapter on 2015 Mac without any issue. I'm using the same SSD as you do, but I'm having all kinds of issues such as sleep, hibernation, question mark on start-up... etc. so I'm wondering if you ever apply any pmset command such as "sudo pmset stanby 0" or "sudo pmset hibernatemode 25" to your mac or you just simply use the default value like "hibernatemode 3"?

 

[yesnoj]

Hi Francesco, you can also follow the advice of Matejh to use Malwarebytes : it will check if MacKeeper didn't let any launchAgent/ launchDaemon there...
Malwarebytes can be use from time to time without subscription if you disable real-time protection. I strongly advise to run it from time to time even on a system without issue...

PS to Matejh : well done to have noticed

Thanks Gilles, i will download as soon as possible!

 

[sandrvoxon]

Hey guys ! Is anyone has a battery drain with Samsung 960evo ?
In my case I have this problem with MBPr 13 (2015) i7 16gb 1tb

 

[Audit13]

@sandrvoxon , is the battery draining during normal use or during hibernation?

 

[Transfusion]

Hey guys ! Is anyone has a battery drain with Samsung 960evo ?
In my case I have this problem with MBPr 13 (2015) i7 16gb 1tb

I have battery drain on 960 EVO 250GB, 2BQ something firmware, 10.13.4, MBA Early 2015.

The battery drain is not noticeable when running Win 10. The problem is that the average idle power consumption is 8-9 W in HS whereas it is 6-7W in Windows, so battery life is now 6.4 hours max with 54Wh battery as opposed to the original 11-12 hours (power consumption was as low as 5 W with original SSD) even when doing very light web browsing in safari. It is possible to get a very slight increase in battery life by dimming the screen down to 1 bar, disabling mds, disabling turbo boost etc but do not expect battery life anywhere near normal with the 960 EVO.

You can check by downloading CoconutBatteryApp, then divide your battery Wh by the power consumption. It is a big deal breaker for me.

Battery drain with the lid closed depends on whether you can successfully enter hibernate mode and resume from it. You can try setting pmset -a hibernatemode 25, standby 0, autopoweroff 0 (or sleeping overnight). With the big Sintech adapter, you should see a progress bar when opening the lid, which means it is reading memory from the disk image, and power consumption should be negligible then. To restore default pmset values just click "Restore defaults" in the Energy Saver Preferences.

I tried playing around with the disksleep pmset parameter (I thought perhaps setting it to 1 minute would make the computer stop accessing the disk quickly, so light tasks that didn't access the disk frequently would have less impact), but it did not have any effect.

 

[aksok]

Hey guys! I new to this forum, but have spent the last few hours reading through the pages. I have a MacBook pro 13inch early 2015 i7 with 128 gb. I want to upgrade my storage as cheap as possible but still wants a stable computer without any issues. What kind of drive is recommended, and what is the differences between 512b and 4k formatting. Read something about 4k formatted drives have less issues. Was thinking og buying a kingston kc1000.

 

[imax2k2]

Hello,
yes the table is valid for any mac that has NVMe compatibility.
On your 13" rMBP max speed will be limited in any case to 1500MB/s (because of PCIe 2.0 instead of 3.0)
I'll add soon other tested SSD : Kingtson A1000 and MyDigital (which are slowest because of 2x lanes but very cheap)


Hello Francesco,
thanks a lot for your update, hope everything is ok now...
The main problems you had were due to wrong advices in the following video :

unfortunately, there is some errors in this video :
- the author doesn't speak of kapton tape insulation (we all know here this is a pre-requirement for stable use)
- he advices a M.2 adapter which is known to cause reboot issues on Samsung drives
- he advice to format to HFS+ which is unfortunately an error with Samsung drives... it gives kernel panics.
Samsung drives only run well on APFS as of today.

I wanted to ask, do we need to do this with the Longer black adaptor, if yes, what needs to be done?

Thanks!

 

[sandrvoxon]

@sandrvoxon , is the battery draining during normal use or during hibernation?

Normal use !

 

[yesnoj]

I wanted to ask, do we need to do this with the Longer black adaptor, if yes, what needs to be done?

Thanks!

Yes, see my photo in the previous post!
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-51#post-26053821

 

[Audit13]

Normal use !

What is the difference in drain between an Apple SSD and the Samsung 960 evo?

I use an Intel 600p in a 13" Macbook are and the drain during regular use is about 10% more which, for me, is okay.

 

[imax2k2]

Yes, see my photo in the previous post!
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-51#post-26053821

Thank you I did take a look there, but I couldn't see what the application of the tape is.