A list of successful iMac 27" (2012-2019) SSD upgrades

[rin67630]

Yes. I split the Fusion drive shortly before install, formatting the now split HDD with HFS+, the SSD obviously formatted with APFS.

Not that I care much for the HDD speed, I kept it mainly to avoid the iMac being unhappy. From what I read, you'd need to remove the SATA cable altogether, so why not leave it? I may use it for keeping additional backup copies of important work next to my external USB time machine backups.

On iMacs with a 128GB SSD blade, one can even

• split the FD,
• format it with hfs+,
• format the SSD blade with APFS,
• install macOS there,
• copy the user folder to the HDD,
• move the user folder to the HDD.

That way, the small 218GB SSD will not grow any more and 128GB are largely enough for macOS an the programs.
You get a really flying iMac without need to open the glued screen.

 

[SomeSwede]

I am contemplating upgrading my 2013 27" iMac.

Is it correct that if i replace the hard drive i will have to connect a temperature sensor otherwise the fans will run at full speed?

But if i remove it completely, cable and all, there will be no issues?


At the moment i am running Sonoma thanks to OCLP, has anyone experience running it with an upgraded NVMe drive? I take it that there ought to be no issues?

 

[rin67630]

I am contemplating upgrading my 2013 27" iMac.

Is it correct that if i replace the hard drive i will have to connect a temperature sensor otherwise the fans will run at full speed?

But if i remove it completely, cable and all, there will be no issues?


At the moment i am running Sonoma thanks to OCLP, has anyone experience running it with an upgraded NVMe drive? I take it that there ought to be no issues?

Have you got a fusion drive?
With a 128GB SSD?

 

[SomeSwede]

Have you got a fusion drive?
With a 128GB SSD?

Yes, although i think the SSD is 120 GB.

 

[osantiago774]

My internal 128SSD drive is bad and I installed a new 2TB SSD 2.5 drive but my 2015 iMac freezes during power save mode. I run the caffeinate mode to keep it alive . Is their a way to disable the iMac from using the 128 GB SSD drive ( similar to disabling a drive on a PC in the BIOS) ?


Removing this this 128GB SSD drive will require a huge disassembly project

 

[rin67630]

My internal 128SSD drive is bad and I installed a new 2TB SSD 2.5 drive but my 2015 iMac freezes during power save mode. I run the caffeinate mode to keep it alive . Is their a way to disable the iMac from using the 128 GB SSD drive ( similar to disabling a drive on a PC in the BIOS) ?


Removing this this 128GB SSD drive will require a huge disassembly project

Yes, but if your SSD is bad, you ought to do it.
The bad SSD impacts badly the boot time. The EFI tries for a long time to access that drive and only give up after a couple of minutes.
When you have the logic board open, you the can retrofit a good NVMe SSD that will really boost your system.

 

[rin67630]

Yes, although i think the SSD is 120 GB.

Then you can boost your iMac for free.
how to boost an iMac for free with no opening.

 

[SomeSwede]

Then you can boost your iMac for free.
how to boost an iMac for free with no opening.

I'll keep that in mind if doing the physical upgrade is too much of a hassle.

 

[rin67630]

I'll keep that in mind if doing the physical upgrade is too much of a hassle.

It took me two hours, progressing very slowly.

 

[mbosse]

Yes, but if your SSD is bad, you ought to do it.
The bad SSD impacts badly the boot time. The EFI tries for a long time to access that drive and only give up after a couple of minutes.
When you have the logic board open, you the can retrofit a good NVMe SSD that will really boost your system.

This. If your internal SSD is bust, you should take it out. Otherwise, it will always impair your iMac.

 

[SomeSwede]

I am thinking about getting the upgrade kit from OWC.

It is a bit more expensive but without the need for an adapter there should be one less point of failure.

SSD Upgrades for Apple iMac 27-Inch Late 2013 - 2019

Get all the tools needed to safely upgrade your iMac hard drive to a new HD or SSD. Up to 8x the capacity and 92x faster than the original factory drive.

eshop.macsales.com

Anyone with experience?

 

[benyo38]

hello,

Sharing data from an iMac I've just bought

Blade only - no Fusion Drive

Device: Retina 5K, Early 2019 - (i9-9900, 3.6 Ghz - Vega 48 pro)
Blade upgrade: 512GB -> 2 TB Samsung 980 pro
HDD upgrade: N/A
CPU upgrade: N/A
Speed test: 3076 MB/s read, 2964 MB/s write
OS: Sonoma 14.4.1
Adapter: unknown
Heatsink: unknown
Issues after fresh OS install: the sleep issue is present, bootcamp working fine

I attached NVMExpress data

 

[curnalpanic]

the sleep issue is present

Sorry to hear that. What's your firmware version?

 

[benyo38]

thks for your reply

i do see this in the system

the SSD FW version is :5B2QGXA7

 

[benyo38]

Is someone has the same setup but with sleep running fine?

on a side, I'm wondering on whether it is possible to update it with a 4TB WD SN 850X ? is someone tried a 4TB blade SSD in an iMac 2019?

thks !

 

[benyo38]

I am thinking about getting the upgrade kit from OWC.

It is a bit more expensive but without the need for an adapter there should be one less point of failure.

SSD Upgrades for Apple iMac 27-Inch Late 2013 - 2019

Get all the tools needed to safely upgrade your iMac hard drive to a new HD or SSD. Up to 8x the capacity and 92x faster than the original factory drive.

eshop.macsales.com

Anyone with experience?

pay attention, this is not compatible with bootcamp while using conventional NVMe works

Notes:

• Not compatible with Apple Boot Camp when installed in the following hosts: iMac14,2; iMac14,3 iMac15,1 (Late 2014); iMac16,2; iMac18,2; iMac18,3; iMac19,1; iMac19,2
• The host computer must be updated over an Apple factory SSD to the latest OS available before installing this drive.
• Aura Pro X2 Gen4 NVMe SSDs can only be installed in 21.5-inch iMac models that came with a factory-installed SSD or Fusion drive. Hard Drive (HDD) only machines can be upgraded with an OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G SSD or OWC Mercury Electra 6G SSD.

 

[SomeSwede]

I uninstalled Bootcamp several years ago, so that should not be an issue. I got PC's if i ever need a Windows specific application.

My primary concern is if the fans will run at full blast if i remove the HDD and if OCLP will work.

 

[benyo38]

Is someone has the same setup but with sleep running fine?

on a side, I'm wondering on whether it is possible to update it with a 4TB WD SN 850X ? is someone tried a 4TB blade SSD in an iMac 2019?

thks !

anyone has comment on that?

 

[fmnamado]

Hello,
I have a iMac 2019 27" with 1TB fusion drive.


As I have been documenting on this thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/imac19-storage-upgrade.2420626/
I plan to buy a PCI NVMe and keep it externally for the time being, and then, when I can, put it internally with the adapter.

I was inclined into using Sabrent Rocket NVMe (blue one) but it seems it was superseeded by SABRENT 1TB Rocket Nvme PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 SSD (brown/golden).

1. Has anyone used this yet?
2. Can I use this PCI4.0 in my iMAc (I think it is PCI 3.0)?
3. What would be the model you would advised in order to be the most compatible with less problems? No hibernation and similar ones? I prefer stability (first!) and price (second) over performance.

The idea is to chose a model and wait for a promotion, maybe black friday, as right now I have some medium consumer grade SSD to work every day.

Thank you!

 

[judethat]

I used an external SSD drive on my 2013 iMac which has 24GB RAM already, its given new life to it, without taking it apart and I am happy with it as it is now, its super quick now.

 

[fmnamado]

Thank you for your opinion, but that I already know and have it that way.

But internally pci is better, because i use a lot USB peripherals, and would have to share bandwidth.

So if someone can answer my questions on previous post, I would be grateful.

 

[judethat]

Thank you for your opinion, but that I already know and have it that way.

But internally pci is better, because i use a lot USB peripherals, and would have to share bandwidth.

So if someone can answer my questions on previous post, I would be grateful.

I was not responding to your query, sorry, as this was a general thread was just posting my experience- hope you find your solution.

 

[fmnamado]

Ups I am sorry, I read your post as an answer to my doubt despite not even quoting my post.

I am sorry!

 

[fmnamado]

What would be the most recommended and most available SSD blade to use inside of my iMac 2019?

I don’t understand the question about sleeping and crashing, I would like to avoid this problem by choosing something that doesn’t bring problems.

Can someone help me?

Ty

 

[mohammad.golche]

I'm confused and need some guidance. I have a 21-inch 2019 iMac A2116 MRT42 with an Apple Fusion Drive that seems to be running slow. I'm planning to upgrade to an NVMe SSD using an adapter. I'm looking for recommendations on the best brand and model to use to avoid any compatibility issues. Some friends have mentioned that their systems have experienced panics after using the NVMe SN770 or other WD models for a few months. Please provide me with a recommendation for an NVMe upgrade. Speed and model are not that important to me. My main goal is to have a seamless experience using the adapter and not have any problems after a few months.

Has anyone used this Lexar SN620 nvme model? Do you think it's compatible with a 2019 iMac?