2015 (late) 27" blade died, what can I replace it with ?

[Ian_E]

So recently my late 2015 27" imac with an internal 256gb blade drive, not Fusion drive refused to boot, I've used an external

NVMe M.2 to boot from currently (Samsung 1TB 980)​

The internal drive isn't showing at all in the disk utility so I presume its failed ?

My only worry is it's the logic board, could it be ?

I'm considering replacing the internal drive with the NVMe and upgrading the CPU to an i7 at the same time.

Do I just need an adaptor for the NVMe drive such as this one

Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card.​

Or should I just pick up a second hand original blade off ebay ?

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

I would personally buy a second hand OEM for an iMac, the prices have come down and there’s less futzing with OS installs. It’s doubtful it’s the logic board

 

[dudax]

You can check the blade drive with DriveDX. Then you can see if the blade SSD is broken.

You can test DriveDX for free.

 

[Ian_E]

You can check the blade drive with DriveDX. Then you can see if the blade SSD is broken.

You can test DriveDX for free.

even if the drive isn't showing in disk utility or finder ?

 

[dudax]

I have not tested it, but I think so.

The drive must be online and it might be corrupted - why not?

 

[Ian_E]

I have not tested it, but I think so.

The drive must be online and it might be corrupted - why not?

So interestingly after installing high serria the drive appeared I've ran DriveDX it says the drive is ok BUT 44 i/o errors (repeated i/o error can indicate a failing drive) when I look at it in disk utility it asks me to restore it from the external drive.

Sound like it's just about to or has died, but I'm tempted to do a restore ?

 

[dudax]

I would dissolve the Fusion Drive and use the HDD hard drive (Data) and SSD hard drive (System) separately again.
This is what I did with my iMac.

And I recommend to install macOS Mojave instead of High Sierra.