What are my options for replacing failed Late 2015 iMac 512GB SSD?

[Avery1]

Appreciate any help on this...

I have a late 2015 27" Retina iMac with 32 GB RAM, and it has a 512GB SSD (not fusion).

What are my options for replacing the SSD, given the performance of the computer has been totally good for me?

- Possible Apple SSD (if available, but spendy)
- Did not appear to be eligible for OWC's replacements, but happy to hear if there is an option (note, it came with factory SSD, only)
- Would it make sense to use an external SSD in a thunderbolt? enclosure in lieu of the internal drive, and to boot from that?
- What other options do I have?

Note: This machine will not have OS support, beginning sometime later this year, but I need to check into ways to bypass those restrictions and run a newer OS... I think that is an option.

 

[pshufd]

Appreciate any help on this...

I have a late 2015 27" Retina iMac with 32 GB RAM, and it has a 512GB SSD (not fusion).

What are my options for replacing the SSD, given the performance of the computer has been totally good for me?

- Possible Apple SSD (if available, but spendy)
- Did not appear to be eligible for OWC's replacements, but happy to hear if there is an option (note, it came with factory SSD, only)
- Would it make sense to use an external SSD in a thunderbolt? enclosure in lieu of the internal drive, and to boot from that?
- What other options do I have?

Note: This machine will not have OS support, beginning sometime later this year, but I need to check into ways to bypass those restrictions and run a newer OS... I think that is an option.

You can run off an external SSD - I've done that on my 2015 MacBook Pro 15.

You could look for a used SSD if you can't find a new one that's compatible. People break screens or parts fail on iMacs and they get parted out.

I have a local shop that does work on these and they could probably just get a third-party SSD and make it work internally. Maybe with even with a 2 TB SSD - these are around $100 these days.

See the Ventura forum for information on using OCLP to run Ventura on unsupported Apple hardware.

 

[Avery1]

You can run off an external SSD - I've done that on my 2015 MacBook Pro 15.

You could look for a used SSD if you can't find a new one that's compatible. People break screens or parts fail on iMacs and they get parted out.

I have a local shop that does work on these and they could probably just get a third-party SSD and make it work internally. Maybe with even with a 2 TB SSD - these are around $100 these days.

See the Ventura forum for information on using OCLP to run Ventura on unsupported Apple hardware.

Thanks for the info, pshufd. What type of performance loss do you notice running the OS off an external SSD versus an internal SSD?

I don't think I can configure with a 2.5 SSD, since (I am told) the logic board doesn't have the SATA connection that one coming with the fusion drive would have. Though, I did hear from a local shop that there should be a Samsung M.2 SSD that may fit... perhaps that's what you're referring to.

I'll check out that forum and OCLP.

 

[pshufd]

Thanks for the info, pshufd. What type of performance loss do you notice running the OS off an external SSD versus an internal SSD?

I don't think I can configure with a 2.5 SSD, since (I am told) the logic board doesn't have the SATA connection that one coming with the fusion drive would have. Though, I did hear from a local shop that there should be a Samsung M.2 SSD that may fit... perhaps that's what you're referring to.

I'll check out that forum and OCLP.

I do not recall what it was but it's a small amount of time but you do feel it. Ideally, I would have run BlackMagic on it but performance wasn't the main issue at the time.

I'd basically contact a local shop to do it for me and would ask if they could do it as I'd expect that they've done some of these. One other option would be a Thunderbolt drive - more costly but it should provide better performance.

 

[Fishrrman]

"What other options do I have?"

Get a USB3 SSD.
I'd suggest a Samsung t7 "shield":

SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged, IP65 Rated, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, Portable External Solid State Drive (MU-PE1T0S/AM, 2022), Black

Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD delivers high performance on-the-go, not matter the terrain. It has an IP65 rating for water1 and dust2 resistance, with Dynamic Thermal Guard to manage heat control. Transfer huge files instantly. USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCIe® NVMe achieve soaring sequential read/write ...

www.amazon.com

(looks to be on sale for a very good price)

Set that up to be your EXTERNAL USB3 boot drive.
You'll see read speeds around 430MBps.
Not as fast as the original internal SSD, but still quite good. It will keep the iMac going for a few more years.

NOTE:
The t7 shield is actually a USB3.1 gen2 drive.
That means it's designed to run TWICE AS FAST when using a USBc connection.

I realize that you don't have USBc.
But the t7 is "backward compatible" with what you have right now.
And when the day comes in the future that you move to a newer Mac, you can take the t7 "right along with you", and it will then become FASTER.

 

[Avery1]

"What other options do I have?"

Get a USB3 SSD.
I'd suggest a Samsung t7 "shield":

SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged, IP65 Rated, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, Portable External Solid State Drive (MU-PE1T0S/AM, 2022), Black

Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD delivers high performance on-the-go, not matter the terrain. It has an IP65 rating for water1 and dust2 resistance, with Dynamic Thermal Guard to manage heat control. Transfer huge files instantly. USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCIe® NVMe achieve soaring sequential read/write ...

www.amazon.com

(looks to be on sale for a very good price)

Set that up to be your EXTERNAL USB3 boot drive.
You'll see read speeds around 430MBps.
Not as fast as the original internal SSD, but still quite good. It will keep the iMac going for a few more years.

NOTE:
The t7 shield is actually a USB3.1 gen2 drive.
That means it's designed to run TWICE AS FAST when using a USBc connection.

I realize that you don't have USBc.
But the t7 is "backward compatible" with what you have right now.
And when the day comes in the future that you move to a newer Mac, you can take the t7 "right along with you", and it will then become FASTER.

Thank you. I think my late 2015 iMac supports USB 3.0 protocol. Any idea if that is 1/2, 1/4, 3/4 of that original SSD speed?

I assume it would be a lot less than a thunderbolt ssd external drive.

I looked at the numbers for 3rd party SSD replacement, and knowing I'd get a few hundred more for resale in a year or two (versus if I had to recycle it or sell for parts), it makes the cost per day not too bad, versus alternatives.

 

[Insidious]

Note: This machine will not have OS support, beginning sometime later this year, but I need to check into ways to bypass those restrictions and run a newer OS... I think that is an option.

I highly recommend OpenCore Legacy Patcher. The latest version is very easy to install and the next update will improve Ventura compatibility.

 

[Avery1]

Thanks. I will consider that for other machines, or to extend this one's life, but don't feel comfortable running that on a machine which will have all critical files, as well as soft raid running a thunder bay. My bigger issue now is figuring out what is up with the machine. Not only did the SSD fail, there are memory errors, and the monitor is not working more than it is working. I'm not sure what is going on. Ugh...

 

[Fishrrman]

You've started numerous threads for the SAME iMac having the same problems.

At 8 years old, with this many "failures", it's time to look for a replacement.

I'd suggest an m2 (or m2pro) Mini and a 27" 4k display.

 

[pshufd]

You've started numerous threads for the SAME iMac having the same problems.

At 8 years old, with this many "failures", it's time to look for a replacement.

I'd suggest an m2 (or m2pro) Mini and a 27" 4k display.

I had a 2014 iMac - very nice machine, nothing wrong with it at all and I still miss it. Replaced it with a Studio and Dell 4k monitors and very happy. I rarely think about my equipment anymore. The downside of the 2014 iMac was that it would generate a fair amount of heat when pushed.

 

[dcuny2012]

I have had very good luck with drive upgrades from Other World Computing (macsales dot com). They have an entire SSD hard drive repair kit available for many iMac models.

But the processor speed of a 2015 iMac is pretty anemic compared to recent machines which is something to consider.

 

[Avery1]

I have had very good luck with drive upgrades from Other World Computing (macsales dot com). They have an entire SSD hard drive repair kit available for many iMac models.

But the processor speed of a 2015 iMac is pretty anemic compared to recent machines which is something to consider.

Thanks. Unfortunately, this is the single model year that OWC cannot support with an aftermarket SSD due to a compatibility issue.

The upgraded memory (2 x 16GB sticks) came from OWC, and they sent me replacements under their lifetime warranty. It is crazy that this particular model year's memory is hard to come by, and the current cost of the new memory is about $400.... more than I paid in 2016!

The computer was an i7 4.0, and between that, the SSD, and 32GB RAM, to this day it performed very well. I didn't do a lot of video, but CAD, imports/conversion of hundreds of photos at a time in Lightroom, and running VMs, you wouldn't have known it was not a current-day machine. Met all my performance needs, unquestionably. Considering resale cost in 1-1/2 years, replacing the SSD, even at $500 was the most cost effective decision. However, now that it's gone into something broader that seems difficult to diagnose, I'll be upgrading to a low-use 2019 iMac with a 2TB factory SSD and 32GB ram for $950. Processor is only an i5, but 6 cores... so that combo should last me another 4-5 years.

After seeing a video on re-purposing an old iMac as a monitor, I'll see if I can strip it down without breaking it and use just the display with a 3rd party card. Mine even has the factory VESA Mount. These displays are really hard to let go!

 

[pshufd]

Thanks. Unfortunately, this is the single model year that OWC cannot support with an aftermarket SSD due to a compatibility issue.

The upgraded memory (2 x 16GB sticks) came from OWC, and they sent me replacements under their lifetime warranty. It is crazy that this particular model year's memory is hard to come by, and the current cost of the new memory is about $400.... more than I paid in 2016!

The computer was an i7 4.0, and between that, the SSD, and 32GB RAM, to this day it performed very well. I didn't do a lot of video, but CAD, imports/conversion of hundreds of photos at a time in Lightroom, and running VMs, you wouldn't have known it was not a current-day machine. Met all my performance needs, unquestionably. Considering resale cost in 1-1/2 years, replacing the SSD, even at $500 was the most cost effective decision. However, now that it's gone into something broader that seems difficult to diagnose, I'll be upgrading to a low-use 2019 iMac with a 2TB factory SSD and 32GB ram for $950. Processor is only an i5, but 6 cores... so that combo should last me another 4-5 years.

After seeing a video on re-purposing an old iMac as a monitor, I'll see if I can strip it down without breaking it and use just the display with a 3rd party card. Mine even has the factory VESA Mount. These displays are really hard to let go!

There's one of those for sale in Boston for $395. 2015 i7, 24 GB RAM, upgraded video but 1 TB HDD. Yes, that RAM is expensive as I think that it was around the time of the cutover from DDR3 to DDR4 so small quantities sold which means scarcity of parts. I am entertaining that 2015 if it drops to $350.

 

[stradify]

pshufd,
That price of $395 is quite reasonable. Here's one currently being auctioned by Goodwill that's similar and is currently at $300: https://shopgoodwill.com/item/162637681
Auction ends in less than two hours.

 

[pshufd]

pshufd,
That price of $395 is quite reasonable. Here's one currently being auctioned by Goodwill that's similar and is currently at $300: https://shopgoodwill.com/item/162637681
Auction ends in less than two hours.

I only consider i7 CPUs as there's a pretty big performance difference between the i5 and the i7. I agree that the price is reasonable but a 27 inch iMac is something that I'd like, not something that I need.