Will changing to a SSD speed up my MBP 2012 to run xcode

[MyClass1000]

Hi There,

I'm having trouble running xcode simulations on my computer. It takes FOREVER to load, and with trickier scripts, will crash most times.

As I'm only getting started with coding I don't know if I want to invest in a new machine right away.
I currently have one of the last best MBP's. It's a Mid 2012, 15 inch, 2.3GHz Core i7, with 10 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 Ram.

Overall it works really well. Startup time can take a while. But awaking from sleep is very quick.

I upgraded the ram a few years ago. I'm wondering if throwing in a new solid state driver might be enough to improve the speed of xCode simulations and overall performance?

Thanks!

 

[mmaa]

If you’re switching from a traditional hard drive, an SSD will greatly improve you’re Mac’s overal performance. That being said, your code might be very CPU intensive and it remains to be seen how much of an impact it would have on performance for your specific project. But maxing out RAM and using an SSD are your only options before replacing your computer.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

It should do, your current HDD may be corrupted and have missing sectors as well at 6 years old an original HDD will be way towards the end of its life. Simple coding on xcode should run fine on just about any currently supported apple computer.

 

[johannnn]

I don't have any experience with Xcode, but my MBP2012 got sooo much faster when I installed an SSD. Today's SSDs are extremely fast, and the MBP2012 is just 4200rpm.

 

[techwarrior]

SSD should help a lot, two reasons. Files and apps will load faster due to faster I/O of an SSD. Also, memory swap will be faster, modern OS use virtual memory on the boot disk to swap memory to disk to accommodate bursts of memory use.

 

[kohlson]

modern OS use virtual memory on the boot disk to swap memory to disk

To add to this, more recent versions of Mac OS X exhibit a lot of reading and writing to disk. If you're like me, and you leave lots of apps open at once, the OS first tries to compress memory before swapping it out - freeing up resources for the app you're using. The last few versions of Mac OS X really were built on the assumption that there's an SSD. Once you install one, you'll be amazed at how your system will seem better than new.

 

[Venderious]

Swapping out and HDD for SSD always makes a great improvement. I'd say go for it.

 

[chrono1081]

Hi There,

I'm having trouble running xcode simulations on my computer. It takes FOREVER to load, and with trickier scripts, will crash most times.

As I'm only getting started with coding I don't know if I want to invest in a new machine right away.
I currently have one of the last best MBP's. It's a Mid 2012, 15 inch, 2.3GHz Core i7, with 10 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 Ram.

Overall it works really well. Startup time can take a while. But awaking from sleep is very quick.

I upgraded the ram a few years ago. I'm wondering if throwing in a new solid state driver might be enough to improve the speed of xCode simulations and overall performance?

Thanks!

At my previous job, we upgraded my 2011 MacBook Pro with an SSD and it made a world of difference in everything (including Xcode and the simulator). Mechanical HDDs lose significant performance after the first 2 years, this will make a big difference for you.

 

[MyClass1000]

Wow amazing replies everyone. Thank you.
I should say that my current hard drive is not the original one. But it's probably still 3 or 4 years old.

Now to do some research on which SSD to go for. If anyone can recommend one I'd be happy to hear.

 

[dblas]

From reading this thread, it appears that I too, need to upgrade my HD to SSD on my mid 2012 13" MBP

 

[DrBrush]

I don't think you'll regret the upgrade.

I've been really happy with the Samsung 850 EVO 1 Tb drive that I have in my mid-2012 (non-retina) MBP, although that may have been superseded with something newer by now . Remember that if you don't need your optical drive any more you can get a holder to put the new drive in place of the optical drive. iFixit do a good guide: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing+MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2012+Dual+Hard+Drive/10987.

One thing you will not find anywhere easily though is that if you want to boot into BootCamp the main drive needs to be where the original drive was, despite both connectors being nominally the same. I installed my new SSD in place of the optical drive, leaving the original where it was, and had to swap them around to get Bootcamp to work on the SSD.

 

[velocityg4]

Wow amazing replies everyone. Thank you.
I should say that my current hard drive is not the original one. But it's probably still 3 or 4 years old.

Now to do some research on which SSD to go for. If anyone can recommend one I'd be happy to hear.

I always install Crucial or Samsung SSD in client computers. Mainly for the reliability of the brands. There is also a lot of slow SSD out there (slow for an SSD that is). I'd get either a Samsung 860 Evo or Crucial MX500. The size should be at minimum double your current usage. So, you have room to grow.

Also max out the RAM. Match your current 8GB module. This way you'll get your computer maxed out in one pass. Plus gain any minor performance benefits by running your RAM in dual channel (matching current module).

Have you looked in Activity Monitor when loading your simulations? As long as CPU usage is under 100% and memory pressure is low. The HDD is the likely culprit.

 

[Oldmanmac]

I always install Crucial or Samsung SSD in client computers. Mainly for the reliability of the brands. There is also a lot of slow SSD out there (slow for an SSD that is). I'd get either a Samsung 860 Evo or Crucial MX500. The size should be at minimum double your current usage. So, you have room to grow.

Also max out the RAM. Match your current 8GB module. This way you'll get your computer maxed out in one pass. Plus gain any minor performance benefits by running your RAM in dual channel (matching current module).

Have you looked in Activity Monitor when loading your simulations? As long as CPU usage is under 100% and memory pressure is low. The HDD is the likely culprit.

Are these user type activities?

 

[dblas]

I don't think you'll regret the upgrade.

I've been really happy with the Samsung 850 EVO 1 Tb drive that I have in my mid-2012 (non-retina) MBP, although that may have been superseded with something newer by now . Remember that if you don't need your optical drive any more you can get a holder to put the new drive in place of the optical drive. iFixit do a good guide: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing+MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2012+Dual+Hard+Drive/10987.

One thing you will not find anywhere easily though is that if you want to boot into BootCamp the main drive needs to be where the original drive was, despite both connectors being nominally the same. I installed my new SSD in place of the optical drive, leaving the original where it was, and had to swap them around to get Bootcamp to work on the SSD.

I saw the thread on bootcamp (i'm doing anything with it...Yet), and will probably keep my media drive for now.

And while I have the case open, I might as well max the Ram from 8 to 16.

 

[26139]

Hi There,

I'm having trouble running xcode simulations on my computer. It takes FOREVER to load, and with trickier scripts, will crash most times.

As I'm only getting started with coding I don't know if I want to invest in a new machine right away.
I currently have one of the last best MBP's. It's a Mid 2012, 15 inch, 2.3GHz Core i7, with 10 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 Ram.

Overall it works really well. Startup time can take a while. But awaking from sleep is very quick.

I upgraded the ram a few years ago. I'm wondering if throwing in a new solid state driver might be enough to improve the speed of xCode simulations and overall performance?

Thanks!

YES.
It will be much, much faster. My 2014 Mac Mini now has an SSD, and it feels much faster.
Definitely worth it.
[doublepost=1537838939][/doublepost]

From reading this thread, it appears that I too, need to upgrade my HD to SSD on my mid 2012 13" MBP

Buddy of mine replaced the HD with an SSD, then put the HD in the optical slot.
He's loving it.