Using a Standard M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD in the 2014 Mini

[AdamJohnG]

I have exactly the same drive in my Mac Mini, which is also identical to yours (i5 2.6/8Gb) and I am getting Read and Write speeds of around 720/750Mb - So I would say possibly a defective drive. Give it a day or two to settle, in case there is a lot of background writing going on for Spotlight, and if that low write speed persists, return the drive.

Personally I don't think that sorbent should be bunch in the 'cheap SSD' bucket. It has a pretty good reputation.

 

[poorgolfer]

I have exactly the same drive in my Mac Mini, which is also identical to yours (i5 2.6/8Gb) and I am getting Read and Write speeds of around 720/750Mb - So I would say possibly a defective drive. Give it a day or two to settle, in case there is a lot of background writing going on for Spotlight, and if that low write speed persists, return the drive.

Personally I don't think that sorbent should be bunch in the 'cheap SSD' bucket. It has a pretty good reputation.

You were spot on. I just fitted the disk yesterday and today I ran the benchmark again. Lo and behold both read and write are around the 750 mark. Thanks for the pointer!

 

[estabya]

Not a fan of the OWC drives?

I have used OWC drives in the past and had good luck with them. I went with the adapter/NVME drive solution to save money over OWC's offerings.

 

[Kaida]

I tried 3 different adapters and all got the same orange icon on boot menu. So I would safely say that a $3 adapter works the same as a $15 sintech one.
[automerge]1594308633[/automerge]
WD Black with the sexy EKWB heatsink fits perfectly.

 

[estabya]

I tried 3 different adapters and all got the same orange icon on boot menu. So I would safely say that a $3 adapter works the same as a $15 sintech one.
[automerge]1594308633[/automerge]
WD Black with the sexy EKWB heatsink fits perfectly.

Looks nice! I guess the only advantage of the Sintech is that you don't need the factory SSD cable to be present.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I have used OWC drives in the past and had good luck with them. I went with the adapter/NVME drive solution to save money over OWC's offerings.

I won't knock trying to save money, but obscure adapters for proprietary SSD sockets and I have not historically gotten along. OWC's prices are definitely pricey, but at least they're known to work reliably and have decent support behind them.

 

[estabya]

I won't knock trying to save money, but obscure adapters for proprietary SSD sockets and I have not historically gotten along. OWC's prices are definitely pricey, but at least they're known to work reliably and have decent support behind them.

Usually I would agree with you, and I seriously considered going with OWC's solution. However, the success people have had with these adapters has been well documented and widespread, and I had read about overheating issues some people were having with the OWC drive, so I decided to take my chances. Considering these adapters don't contain any electronics and are just adapting the pin layout I don't really see too much margin for failure.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Usually I would agree with you, and I seriously considered going with OWC's solution. However, the success people have had with these adapters has been well documented and widespread, and I had read about overheating issues some people were having with the OWC drive, so I decided to take my chances. Considering these adapters don't contain any electronics and are just adapting the pin layout I don't really see too much margin for failure.

I haven't heard much about these adapters. Admittedly, I am very curious.

Similarly, I haven't heard much about OWC's drives having overheating issues either.

If you have more info on either, I'd love to go through it (for my own curiosity, if nothing else).

 

[donetus]

hi .. just a quick question. will any NVMe SSD work on a M.2 PCIe adapter or only certain brands will work? My Mini's setup at the moment is a 128GB SSD (taken from my non-working MBP) and a 750GB HDD (7200rpm).

Should I just leave the 128GB and upgrade the 750GB HDD to an SSD instead?

 

[Kaida]

hi .. just a quick question. will any NVMe SSD work on a M.2 PCIe adapter or only certain brands will work? My Mini's setup at the moment is a 128GB SSD (taken from my non-working MBP) and a 750GB HDD (7200rpm).

Should I just leave the 128GB and upgrade the 750GB HDD to an SSD instead?

Upgrading 2013/2014 Macbook Pro SSD to M.2 NVMe

This thread is about upgrading MacBook Airs & Macbook Pros (2013-2015) with new high speed and/or high capacity NVMe SSDs. This thread was one of the first to talk about MacBook Pro NVMe SSD upgrades on Macrumors, and was started by user "maxthackray", which we can thank and give tribute for...

forums.macrumors.com

The following models have been tested to work :

• Adata NVMe SSD : SX6000, SX7000, SX8200, SX8200 Pro etc.
• Corsair NVMe SSD : MP500, MP510
• Crucial NVMe SSD : P1
• HP NVMe SSD : ex900, ex920, ex950
• OCZ RD400
• Toshiba XG3, XG4, XG5, XG5p, XG6
• Intel NVMe SSD : 600p, 660p, 760p
• MyDigital NVMe SSDs : SBX - BPX
• Kingston NVMe SSD : A1000, A2000, KC1000
• Sabrent Rocket (Phison E12 and E16 based)
• Samsung NVMe SSD : 960 Evo, 960 Pro, 970 Evo, 970 Pro, 970 Evo plus (with latest firmware)
• WD Black NVMe SSD v1, v2 and v3, WD Blue SN550
• Inland Premium (not Professional)

NVMe SSD known not to work on MacBook Pro / Air. DO NOT BUY:

• Samsung PM981
• Samsung 950 Pro

Compatibility issues with the 2 models above are due to a firmware issue.

 

[donetus]

are you referring to the NVMe SSDs for the MacBook Pro? If yes, then I was asking about the NVMe SSD that we can use for the Mac mini for the Fusion drive.

Upgrading 2013/2014 Macbook Pro SSD to M.2 NVMe

This thread is about upgrading MacBook Airs & Macbook Pros (2013-2015) with new high speed and/or high capacity NVMe SSDs. This thread was one of the first to talk about MacBook Pro NVMe SSD upgrades on Macrumors, and was started by user "maxthackray", which we can thank and give tribute for...

forums.macrumors.com

The following models have been tested to work :

• Adata NVMe SSD : SX6000, SX7000, SX8200, SX8200 Pro etc.
• Corsair NVMe SSD : MP500, MP510
• Crucial NVMe SSD : P1
• HP NVMe SSD : ex900, ex920, ex950
• OCZ RD400
• Toshiba XG3, XG4, XG5, XG5p, XG6
• Intel NVMe SSD : 600p, 660p, 760p
• MyDigital NVMe SSDs : SBX - BPX
• Kingston NVMe SSD : A1000, A2000, KC1000
• Sabrent Rocket (Phison E12 and E16 based)
• Samsung NVMe SSD : 960 Evo, 960 Pro, 970 Evo, 970 Pro, 970 Evo plus (with latest firmware)
• WD Black NVMe SSD v1, v2 and v3, WD Blue SN550
• Inland Premium (not Professional)

NVMe SSD known not to work on MacBook Pro / Air. DO NOT BUY:

• Samsung PM981
• Samsung 950 Pro

Compatibility issues with the 2 models above are due to a firmware issue.

 

[Kaida]

Yes, the Mac mini 2014 is the same as the 2013/2014/2015 Macbook Pro.

2014/2015 macbook pro can use x4 pcie though. thats the only difference.

 

[donetus]

oh i didn't know that.

I'll keep the 128GB PCIe then and just upgrade the HDD instead. Although I rarely use the Mini but i guess the thought of upgrading is exciting but somewhat tedious. 😅

Yes, the Mac mini 2014 is the same as the 2013/2014/2015 Macbook Pro.

2014/2015 macbook pro can use x4 pcie though. thats the only difference.

 

[Kaida]

oh i didn't know that.

I'll keep the 128GB PCIe then and just upgrade the HDD instead. Although I rarely use the Mini but i guess the thought of upgrading is exciting but somewhat tedious. 😅

You will just have to open the antenna cover to access to the PCIe SSD. To change out the HDD, you have to tear apart the entire mini to get to the tray at the bottom of the mini.

 

[donetus]

Yep. I'm well aware of how it is done hence, i said that it's a bit tedious to "tear" the Mac Mini apart. 😅

You will just have to open the antenna cover to access to the PCIe SSD. To change out the HDD, you have to tear apart the entire mini to get to the tray at the bottom of the mini.

 

[Shawn0813]

Hello I have a quick question that I hope someone can answer. I completed the upgrade and everything is running so much faster now but my question is how do I wipe the hard drive inside to use as a storage drive?

 

[Kaida]

Hello I have a quick question that I hope someone can answer. I completed the upgrade and everything is running so much faster now but my question is how do I wipe the hard drive inside to use as a storage drive?

disk utility and do a erase on the old hdd if you are sure stuffs you need has been copied out.

 

[Shawn0813]

Thank you. I have been away from Mac for awhile and wanted to make sure.

 

[namgungh]

Upgrading 2013/2014 Macbook Pro SSD to M.2 NVMe

This thread is about upgrading MacBook Airs & Macbook Pros (2013-2015) with new high speed and/or high capacity NVMe SSDs. This thread was one of the first to talk about MacBook Pro NVMe SSD upgrades on Macrumors, and was started by user "maxthackray", which we can thank and give tribute for...

forums.macrumors.com

The following models have been tested to work :

• Adata NVMe SSD : SX6000, SX7000, SX8200, SX8200 Pro etc.
• Corsair NVMe SSD : MP500, MP510
• Crucial NVMe SSD : P1
• HP NVMe SSD : ex900, ex920, ex950
• OCZ RD400
• Toshiba XG3, XG4, XG5, XG5p, XG6
• Intel NVMe SSD : 600p, 660p, 760p
• MyDigital NVMe SSDs : SBX - BPX
• Kingston NVMe SSD : A1000, A2000, KC1000
• Sabrent Rocket (Phison E12 and E16 based)
• Samsung NVMe SSD : 960 Evo, 960 Pro, 970 Evo, 970 Pro, 970 Evo plus (with latest firmware)
• WD Black NVMe SSD v1, v2 and v3, WD Blue SN550
• Inland Premium (not Professional)

NVMe SSD known not to work on MacBook Pro / Air. DO NOT BUY:

• Samsung PM981
• Samsung 950 Pro

Compatibility issues with the 2 models above are due to a firmware issue.

anyone tried the following m2 2280 ssd? Trying to get it for Mac mini 2014 that I have with 1TB HDD configuration from Apple. Going to buy sintech adapter along with it
WD Black SN750 NVMe SSD M.2 PCI-E x4, 500GB

 

[Kaida]

anyone tried the following m2 2280 ssd? Trying to get it for Mac mini 2014 that I have with 1TB HDD configuration from Apple. Going to buy sintech adapter along with it
WD Black SN750 NVMe SSD M.2 PCI-E x4, 500GB

Using a Standard M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD in the 2014 Mini

I tried 3 different adapters and all got the same orange icon on boot menu. So I would safely say that a $3 adapter works the same as a $15 sintech one. 1594308633 WD Black with the sexy EKWB heatsink fits perfectly.

forums.macrumors.com

im using that exact model and it works

 

[Miggie78]

Hi!

Just installed a 500gb Kingston A2000 nvme drive to my Mac mini 2014 using the Sintech nvme L-adapter.
Unfortunately, the new drive won't show in Disk utility or in Terminal using diskutil list. It simply is not there.
I've tried different boot modes and USB install stick but the drive is always missing. I'm running latest Catalina.
I have no reason to believe the L-adapter is broken (as I happen to have two of them and have tried them both) but right now I have no possibility to test the Kingston for faults.

If there's anyone here who happened to install the Kingston A2000, I'd like to know if it showed up straight away or did you have to format it on a Windows machine first?

Cheers

 

[Kaida]

i have installed a friend's mini with A2000 before and you do not have to format on windows, it will show up right away in disk utility. Did you change the view option to all device instead of volumes?

 

[Miggie78]

i have installed a friend's mini with A2000 before and you do not have to format on windows, it will show up right away in disk utility. Did you change the view option to all device instead of volumes?

Thanks for the info!

Yea I have Show all devices on but there is only one physical drive available (I think is the same thing as running diskutil list from the terminal)

I ordered an nvme usb enclosure so I can plug the Kingston to a Windows laptop and see if the drive is faulty or needs formatting. Will report back once the enclosure arrives.

 

[Kaida]

A2000 you will need the nvme enclosure which is a little more expensive than the m.2 sata ones.

 

[Miggie78]

A2000 you will need the nvme enclosure which is a little more expensive than the m.2 sata ones.

I ordered one of the Orico nvme enclosures (about 30€), should work with the A2000 which is M-key.

One more thing, I got the Kingston from Amazon and the plastic window that houses the drive on the packaging was a bit crushed on one corner and the drive pcb had a very slight bend to it lengthwise. I installed it anyway as I thought it a non-issue but now I'm thinking I'll just return it for a new one instead of waiting for the enclosure to arrive since I also find id strange that a drive wouldn't be recognised straight away – even on a mac (never happened before).

Anyway, I'll would still happily try the Kingston A2000 again as price/performance seems pretty good on that one.