Here you can find and discuss all the collected knowledge regarding upgrading the HDD, blade SSD and CPU of a 27" iMac 2012-2019, as well as a list of performed upgrades.
Here is a list of all 27" iMac models subjected in this thread:
Late 2012 - 13.2 - MD095LL/A (2.9Ghz i5-3470S, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2012 [/COLOR]- 13.2 - MD096LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-3470, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2012[/COLOR] - 13.2 - none (3.4Ghz i7-3770, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2013[/COLOR] - 14.2 - ME088LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-4570, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2013[/COLOR] - 14.2 - ME089LL/A (3.4Ghz i5-4670, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2013[/COLOR] - 14.2 - MF125LL/A (3.5Ghz i7-4771, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2014 [/COLOR]- 15.1 - MF886LL/A (3.5Ghz i5-4690, Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2014 [/COLOR]- 15.1 - none (4.0Ghz i7-4790K, Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Mid 2015[/COLOR] - 15.1 - MF885LL/A (3.3Ghz i5-4590, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)[/COLOR]
Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2015[/COLOR] - 17.1 - MK472LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, Fusion HDD+24GB blade / HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2015[/COLOR] - 17.1 - MK482LL/A (3.3Ghz i5-6600, Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2015[/COLOR] - 17.1 - none (4.0Ghz i7-6700K, Fusion HDD+24GB blade [/COLOR]/ Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNE92LL/A (3.4Ghz i5-7500, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNEA2LL/A (3.5Ghz i5-7600, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNED2LL/A (3.8Ghz i5-7600K, Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Mid 2017 - 18.3 - none (4.2Ghz i5-7700K, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Early 2019 - 19.1 - MRR12LL/A (3.0Ghz i5-8500, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Early 2019 - 19.1 - MRR02LL/A (3.1Ghz i5-8600, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Early 2019 - 19.1 - MRQY2LL/A (3.7Ghz i5-9600K, Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Early 2019 - 19.1 - none (3.6Ghz i9-9900K, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
The iMacs before 2017 have issues with the drive's power states [/COLOR]after upgrading the blade SSD with a non-Apple NVMe. The iMacs above marked in BLUE will crash when waking from hibernation, self restart with two start-up chimes. The iMac models marked in ORANGE will either "restart because of a problem", or show a folder with question mark icon (depending on the system event produced)[/COLOR].
Until Apple patches the bootrom with the full NVMe driver that 2017 and 2019 iMac models have, the only way to prevent your iMac from crashing is type the following command in Terminal:
For Late 2015 iMacs (disabling normal sleep) -> sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25 standby 0
For Late 2012 until Mid 2015 iMacs (disabling hibernation) -> sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 0 standby 0 autopoweroff 0
(for the models in blue, alternatively, instead of standby 0, you can leave the standby at 1, and use for example standbydelayhigh 2592000 which equals to one month in seconds)
Regarding the HDD upgrade, almost all (if not all) of the reports for upgrades on 27" iMacs Late 2012 and newer, the OWC's temperature sensor is NOT needed! On older models there would be the fan-spinning-on-max-rpm issue. Perhaps, the newest OS X firmware has eliminated the issue so the temperature control no longer triggers the fan to spin at max rpm in the slim iMac models.
The tools you are going to need are color coded as follows: all, HDD, Blade, CPU.[/COLOR]
-T8, T10 Torx screwdrivers
-wheel opening tool (€1)
-plastic card opening tool (€1) (optional)
-1-2x suction cups (€2)
-spudger tools (€1)
-tweezers (€1) (optional)
-adhesive strips (€2)
-mounting bracket (€2)
-2.5" SATA SSD (example Samsung 860 Evo)
-OWC thermal sensor (€40) (most likely NOT required!)
-adapter for the blade drive (8-13€)
-a small screw to hold the new blade drive on place (it is missing on HDD-only models)
-T5, T25 Torx screwdrivers
-thermal paste for the CPU and GPU (€7)
-a compatiable intel CPU from the same generation as the original
- Kapton Tape to cover the exposed Adapter pins (~€4) - see IMPORTANT NOTE below
For the blade SSD upgrade it does not matter which of the three adapters you use (first, second, third), or if it is sold on ebay, amazon, or wherever else, or if it is branded as Sintech or Kalea or whatever else, they are all the same. Using an AHCI blade will never give you hibernation issues, though those are very limited and no longer manufactured. It does not mater which NVMe drive you use, except the 01.2019 released Samsung 970 Evo Plus which is not compatible with any of the adapters, so do NOT use it unless a new adapter is released.
IFixit guide for SATA HDD replacement
IFixit guide for Blade SSD replacement
IFixit guide for CPU replacement
IFixit guide for Adhesive strips application
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Many of the available Blade Adapters have their connecter PINS exposed such that when inserted into the Logic board, they short out on the shield of the socket on the Logic board.
So it's highly recommended to cover these pins with Kapton tape.
See examples of what other users have done here and here
Examples of how to report your upgrade. These two upgrades below I personally did in 02.2019:
1) HDD + CPU upgrade
Device: Late 2013 - 14.2 - ME088LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-4570, HDD only)
HDD upgrade: 1 TB SATA HDD -> 1TB Samsung 860 Evo SATA SSD
CPU upgrade: i5-4570 -> i5-4670K
Speed test: around 500 MB/s read, 500 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.3
Location: Finland, Europe
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: everything is ok with the fan, OWC temperature sensor NOT required![/COLOR]
More details and problems >here<
2) Blade + CPU upgrade
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, HDD only)
Blade upgrade: none -> 1TB ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro
CPU upgrade: i5-6500 -> i7-6700K
Speed test: 3000 MB/s read, 2300 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.3
Location: Finland, Europe
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: the iMac cannot wake from normal sleep, have to use hibernate 25 instead and disable standby.
More details and problems >here<
The following is a list of upgrades performed by other people, I will update the list as new entries become available:
Blade drive upgrade by Jeden87
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK472LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, Fusion HDD+24GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 24GB Blade -> 512GB Samsung 970 Pro NVMe SSD
Speed test: 2900 MB/s read, 2200 MB/s write
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: the blade drive does not wake up from sleep, have to restart, or disable sleep entirely
Blade drive upgrade by MKhan
Device: Late 2013
Blade upgrade: ?? blade -> 512GB Samsung 970 Pro NVMe SSD
Speed test: 756 MB/s read, 756 MB/s write
Adapter: KALEA-INFORMATIQUE
Issues after fresh OS install: the blade drive does not wake up from sleep, have to restart, or disable sleep entirely
Blade upgrade by ssdaytona
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK472LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, Fusion HDD+24GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 24GB Blade -> 512GB Samsung 970 Pro NVMe SSD
CPU upgrade: i5-6500 -> i7-6700K
Speed test: 2930 MB/s read, 2170 MB/s write
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013 and ST-NGFF2013-C
Issues after fresh OS install: sleep issues with both adapters, have to disable sleep
Blade + HDD upgrade by jdee2wheels[/COLOR]
Device: Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNE92LL/A (3.4Ghz i5-7500, Fusion HDD+32GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade -> 1TB Samsung 970 Evo NVMe SSD
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> SanDisk 2TB 3D SATA III
Speed test: blade 2500 MB/s write, 2900 MB/s read, SATA SSD 450-ish
OS: Mojave 10.14.2
Adapter: Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card, OWC temperature sensor for SATA SSD
Issues after fresh OS install: NONE
HDD upgrade by uller6
Device: Late 2014 - 15.1 - none (4.0Ghz i7-4790K, Fusion HDD+128GB blade)
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> Crucial M500 2TB SSD
Speed test: 500 MB/s read, 480 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.2[/COLOR]
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: NONE - everything works perfectly
Blade + CPU upgrade by mbosse
Device: Late 2013 - 14.2 - MF125LL/A (3.5Ghz i7-4771, Fusion HDD+128GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 128GB blade -> 2TB Samsung 970 Evo NVMe SSD
Speed test: 780 MB/s read, 730 MB/s write
OS: High Sierra 10.13.6
Location: Austria, Europe
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: the blade drive does not wake up from sleep
Blade + HDD + CPU upgrade by macguru8
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, HDD only)
Blade upgrade: none -> 500GB Samsung 970 EVO 500GB M.2 NVMe SSD
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> Seagate Barracuda Pro ST4000DM006 4TB 7200 RPM 128MB Cache
CPU upgrade: i5-6500 -> i7-6700K 4.00 GHz Unlocked Quad Core Skylake
Speed test: 3070 MB/s read, 2374 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.3
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C
Temperature sensor: required for the HDD[/COLOR]
Issues after fresh OS install:[/COLOR] the iMac cannot wake from normal sleep unless I press the power button, had to use hibernate 25 instead and disable standby
Blade +HDD upgrade by MBehr2
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK472LL/A (4.0 Ghz i7-6700K, blade only 512GB)
Blade upgrade: 512GB blade PCIe SATA -> 1TB WDS100T3X0C-00SJG0 (102000WD) PCIe NVMe (WD BLACK SN750 NVMe SSD) + a heat sink.
HDD upgrade: none -> 1TB WDC WDS100T2B0A-00SM50 (X61190WD)
Speed test: 2723 MB/s read, 2913 MB/s write
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013[/COLOR]
Location: Canada, North America
Temperature sensor: works fine without, thus not required
Issues after fresh OS install: sleep issues, have to disable sleep[/COLOR]
Blade +HDD upgrade by rxs0
Device: Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNE92LL/A (3.6Ghz i7-7700, Fusion HDD+32GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade -> 2TB Samsung 970 EVO NVMe SSD
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> 1TB Samsung 960 EVO SATA SSD
Speed test: blade 2500 MB/s write, 3000 MB/s read, SATA SSD 450-ish
OS: Mojave 10.14.4
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C with additional Kapton tape
Temperature sensor: not used
Issues after fresh OS install and restore: [/COLOR]NONE, no sleep or hibernate issues
Blade upgrade by MacManSuite
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade -> 2TB Sabrent Rocket NVMe PCIe M.2 2280
Speed test: 2700 MB/s read, 2700 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.4
Location: UK, Europe
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013 (I did have to cut this slightly so the NVMe sat flat rather then slightly bent)
Issues after fresh OS install: [/COLOR]sleep disabled & hibernation enabled
Blade + HDD upgrade by MacManSuite[/COLOR]
Device: Late 2013 -14.2 (3.5Ghz i7-4771)
Blade upgrade: 128GB SDNEP 655-18378 -> Intel 660P 2TB (SSDPEKNW020T8X1)
HDD upgrade: 3TB SATA ST3000DM001 HDD -> 4TB SATA ST4000DMZ04 HDD (Cold storage)
Speed test: 750 MB/s read, 750 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.4/10.14.5
Location: UK, Europe
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013[/COLOR]
Issues after fresh OS install: working with NO tweaks to sleep mode, no crashes when resuming. Tested under both 10.14.4 and 10.14.5 with no issue
Blade+HDD upgrade by mdelrossi
Device: Late 2014 - 15.1 (4.0Ghz i7-4790K)
Blade upgrade: 128GB Blade -> Intel 660P 1TB
HDD upgrade: HDD -> 2TB SSD Sandisk SDSSDH3-2T00-G25
OS: Mojave 10.14.5
Location: US, North America
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C
Issues after fresh OS install: Flawless. Goes to sleep, wakes up no terminal command. [/COLOR]Clean install, then migrated from existing T5 that I was using as main boot drive.
Blade upgrade by ProteoMX
Device: iMac Late 2013 - 14.2 - ME089LL/A (3.4Ghz i5-4670)
Blade upgrade: none -> Samsung 970 PRO 512GB (MZ-V7P512BW)
Speed test: 780 MB/s read, 738 MB/s write.
OS: Mojave 10.14.5
Location: Venezuela, South America[/COLOR]
Adapter: [/COLOR]Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD[/COLOR] (came in black color, branded as RoHS)[/COLOR]
Issues after fresh OS install: [/COLOR]sleeps seems to be working just fine, I can hit the "Sleep" menu entry, leave the machine alone for a while and when I press the keyboard it just comes back to life and keeps working as usual
Blade+HDD upgrade by macmanss
Device: Early 2019 - 19.1 - MRR12LL/A (3.0GHz i5-8500)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade -> 2TB Samsung 970 EVO NVMe SSD
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> 1TB Samsung 840 EVO SATA SSD (old model)
Speed test: 2900 MB/s read, 2520 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.5
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C
Location: Sydney, Australia
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: none, sleep/wake works fine, no loud fans[/COLOR]
Blade upgrade by iaanda
Device: Mid 2017 - 18.3
HDD upgrade: 32GB Blade -> Intel 760P 512GB
Speed test: around 900 MB/s read, 2900 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.3
Location: New Zealand
Issues after fresh OS install: None[/COLOR]
Blade + HDD upgrade by natheyshaw
Device: Early 2019 - 19.1 - MRR12LL/A (3.7GHz i5-9600)
Blade upgrade: 128GB Blade -> 2TB WD Black NVME
HDD upgrade: 2TB SATA HDD -> 2TB Crucial M500
Speed test: 2970 MB/s read, 2580 MB/s write
OS: Catalina
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C
Location: London, UK
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: none, everything works good
Blade upgrade by eh1160
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, HDD only)
HDD upgrade: 1 TB SATA HDD -> None (removed it)
Blade upgrade: none -> Samsung 970 EVO SSD 500GB - M.2 NVMe (MZ-V7E500BW) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...3596277f5770ffedd227a17f4bab62&language=en_US)
Speed test: ~2390 MB/s read, ~2340 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.15.2 (Catalina)
Location: United States (US - Philadelphia area)
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...498dc3dccc197bf18a11587c1a8515&language=en_US)
Temperature sensor: None - Did not use the SATA interface
Adhesive strips: LeFix Replacement LCD Panel Adhesive Tape (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...34b8e536b0eb5acf5b6713460b9880&language=en_US)
Issues after fresh OS install: The iMac displayed the "blinking question mark folder" as soon as it when to sleep. It would reboot fine. Successfully resolved by running `sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25 standby 0`
Blade upgrade by Jinsang Lee
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK472LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, Fusion HDD+24GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 24GB Blade -> Western Digital pc SN520 NVME SSD 512GB M.2 2280
OS: Catalina 10.15.2 (19C57)
Location: Vietnam, Asia
Adapter: Generic SSD Controller (aliexpress)
Issues after fresh OS install: iMac restart because of a problem (IONVMeFamily .. )
Blade + HDD upgrade by iqmac
Device: Late 2013 -14.2 (3.5Ghz i7-4771), 32GB Ram, 3TB Fusion Drive
Blade upgrade: 128GB -> Intel 660P 2TB (SSDPEKNW020T8X1)
HDD upgrade: 3TB SATA ST3000DM001 HDD -> 2TB SATA Crucial MX500 SSD
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Location: NB Canada
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: Did not do a fresh OS install, cloned from old drive. No problems. Fan Normal, Sleeps as it should.
Blade upgrade by mbosse
Device: Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNEA2LL/A (3.5Ghz i5-7600, Fusion HDD+32GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade -> 2TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSD
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> -/-
Speed test: ~2850 MB/s read, ~2750 MB/s write
OS: Catalina 10.15.2
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C
Heatsink: EK Water Blocks EK-M.2 NVMe Heatsink
Temperature sensor: not used
Issues after fresh OS install and restore: NONE, no sleep or hibernate issues
Blade upgrade by priva28
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, HDD only)
Blade upgrade: None -> 500GB WD Black SN750 (no heatsink)
Speed test: 2750 MB/s read, 2400 MB/s write
OS: Catalina 10.15.2
Location: Victoria, Australia
Adapter: No-brand ST-NGFF2013 from eBay + Kapton tape
Boot ROM Version: 174.0.0.0.0
Issues after fresh OS install: the iMac cannot wake from normal sleep, have to use hibernate 25 instead and disable standby.
Blade + HDD upgrade by gpbonneau
Device: iMac 27" Late 2015 Retina 5K - i7 4GHz - 32GB
Blade upgrade: 128GB blade Apple -> Sabrent Rocket NVMe 2TB (for Mojave)
HDD upgrade: 2TB HD SATA Apple -> 1 TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD SATA (for BootCamp/W10)
Speed test: 3080 MB/s read, 2840 MB/s write for the blade; 520 MB/s read, 480 MB/s write for the HDD
Adapter: Sintech NGFF (ST-NGFF2013-C)
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after upgrade: "sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25 standby 0" has been done before the upgrade
Blade upgrade by ozanyuceol
Device: iMac Late 2015, 5K Retina 27", 17.1 - (3.2 GHz i5-6500, Flash Drive 32GB blade PCIe SATA)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade PCIe SATA -> 500GB M.2 NVMe (WD BLACK SN750 NVMe SSD without heat sink)
Speed test: 2733 MB/s read, 2423 MB/s write
Adapter: Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter
Issues after fresh OS install: Sleep issues with adapter, solved with "sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25 standby 0"
Blade + HDD upgrade by indranrehan
Device: 2019 iMac (3.7 i5, 580X, 2tb fusion)
Blade upgrade: 128GB Apple -> 970 Pro 1TB Samsung
HDD upgrade: 2TB SATA HDD -> Micron 5210 8TB enterprise SSD
Blade Speed test: 3500/s read, 2400/s write (amorphous) 3050 read, 2600 write (Black magic)
SSD speed test: 530 read, 100 write (amorphous) 380 read, 350 write (black magic)
OS: Catalina 15.1
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: NONE - everything works perfectly
Blade + HDD upgrade by madoleo
Device: Late 2014 27inch - (3.5Ghz i5, 1TB Fusion, 32GB RAM)
HDD upgrade: 1 TB SATA HDD -> 1TB Asseno SSD
Blade upgrade: 128GB Sandisk -> 1TB Samsung Evo 970
Speed test: around 780 MB/s read, 730 MB/s write - PCie; around 508 MB/s read, 477 MB/s write - SATA.
OS: Internet Recovery install of Catalina (from previous Mojave install).
Location: UK, Europe
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: Nothing at the moment.
Blade + HDD upgrade by Limonskyzz
Device: Late 2013 -14.2 (3.5Ghz i7-4771)
Blade upgrade: 128GB SDNEP 655-18378 -> Intel 660P 2TB (SSDPEKNW020T8X1)
HDD upgrade: 3TB SATA ST3000DM001 HDD -> 1TB SATA Evo 960 Samsung SATA
OS: CAtalina 10.15.0/10.15.1
Location: PT, Europe
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: No problems. Fan Normal, Sleeps as it should.
Blade + HDD upgrade by MadCrux
Device: 27" iMac 14,2 Late 2013 (3.5 GHz Core i7, 1Tb HDD only, 16GB)
HDD upgrade: 1TB original HDD -> 1 TB SSD Samsung Evo 860
Blade: none -> 500 GB Samsung Evo 970
Adapter: Syntech NGFF m2 nVME Adapter Card
Blade + HDD + CPU upgrade by dront_tula
Device: 27" iMac Late 2013 (3.2 GHz Core i5, 1Tb HDD only, 8GB)
CPU update: i5-4570 -> i7-4770 (thermal grease GLACIALTECH IceTherm II, thermal pads over video memory banks)
HDD upgrade: 1TB Seagate ST1000DM003 -> 4TB Seagate ST4000DM001 (same height), NO temp sensor
Blade upgrade: None -> 1TB Intel 660p series (SSDPEKNW010T8)
Adapter: aliexpress -> search "nvme a1465", then add some insulation tape over contacts
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Speed test: blade 760MB/s read, 720MB/write
Sleep issues: none
Blade upgrade by testeri
Device: 27" Retina 5K Late 2014 4 GHz i7 3Tb fusion 32GB
Blade upgrade: 128GB -> Intel 660p 1TB SSD (original HD left in)
Adapter: Sintech long black adapter
OS: Catalina
Issues after fresh OS install: After letting the computer on for the night it woke up without problem in the morning. No problems so far.
HDD upgrade by emulous
Device: Mid 2015 - 15.1 - none (3.3Ghz i5-4590, Radeon R9 M290, 1TB HDD SATA)
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> Samsung 860Evo 500GB SSD)
Speed test: 516MB/s read, 360MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: NONE - everything works perfectly
Blade + HDD + CPU upgrade by sebastienc
Device: 2017 27" - MNEA2LL/A (3.5Ghz Radeon Pro575 1TB Fusion)
CPU upgrade: Kaby Lake i5-7600 to i7-7700
Blade upgrade: Apple 32GB -> Samsung 970 EVO 1TB + Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C + Heatsink + Kapton
HDD upgrade: Samsung 860 1TB
Speed test: NVME 2600MB/s read, 2400MB/s write. SSD 510MB/s read, 480MB/s Write.
OS: Catalina 10.15
Location: Florida
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: NVME temps were very very high. Back to normal after 2 days.
Sleep issues: none.
Blade + HDD upgrade by zkmusa
Device: Late 2013 27" - ME088LL/A (3.2Ghz Blade SSD only)
Blade upgrade: Apple 256GB -> Samsung 970 EVO 1TB
HDD upgrade: none -> Crucial MX500 1TB. Purchased drive rails and SATA cable on eBay.
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Speed test: 650-750 MB/s read, 650-750 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Location: Texas
Issues after fresh OS install: none.
Blade + HDD upgrade by hmarold
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A 3.2GHz i5-6500)
Blade upgrade: 1 TB Blade -> WD Black SN750 NVMe M.2
HDD upgrade: 4TB Seagate 3.5
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Adapter: generic.
Location: Australia
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: the iMac cannot wake from normal sleep unless I press the power button, had to use hibernate 25 instead and disable standby
Blade + HDD + CPU upgrade by JRBuchanan
Device: Late 2013 - 14.2 - ME088LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-4570, HDD only)
Blade upgrade: none -> 1TB Crucial P1 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD - CT1000P1SSD8
CPU upgrade: i5-4570 -> i7-4771
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Location: USA
Adapter: Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter
Blade upgrade by Jerma
Device: Late 2015 27" Retina 5K - EMC2834 (3,2Ghz HDD only)
BladeSSD upgrade: none -> Adata XPG SX8200 Pro 512Gt - M.2 SSD
Adapter: ST-NGFF2013-C
Speed test: 2010 MB/s read, 2850 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Location: Finland, Europe.
Issues after fresh OS install: Waking from sleep causes crash and have to reboot. Hibernate works ok.
Blade upgrade by tjdokken
Device: Late 2014 27" iMac, i7, 32GB, R9 M295X 4GB
SSD upgrade: 128GB SATA Express Blade -> Samsung EVO 970 2TB
HDD: Retained factory 3TB SATA from Fusion Drive
Adapter: ST-NGFF2013-C
Speed test: 775 MB/s read, 725 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Location: Woodbury, MN US
Issues after fresh OS install: None
Blade + HDD upgrade by senseiwang
Device: Late 2013 27' base model
Blade upgrade: none -> 32GB Apple blade
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> 1TB SATA HDD
Speed test: 762 MB/s read, 721MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Adapter: none
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: Hibernation issue
Blade + HDD + CPU upgrade by senseiwang
Device: 2017 27' base model
CPU upgrade: i5-7500 -> i7-7700k
Blade upgrade: 32GB -> 512GB 970 Pro
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> 1TB 860 Evo
Speed test: 3028 MB/s read, 2163 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Adapter: unbranded from ebay.au
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: No issue so far
Blade + CPU upgrade by gilles_polysoft
Device: base 27" iMac 5K 2019 (MRQY2LL/A)
CPU upgrade: i7-9700
Blade upgrade: 2TB PNY CS3030
Speed test: 2800 MB/s read, 2700 MB/s write
Location: France
Issues after fresh OS install: no issues
Blade upgrade by antnythr
Device: Late 2015 - 17,1 - MK482LL/A (3.3GHz i5-6600)
Blade upgrade: 128GB Blade -> 1TB WD Black SN750 NVME
Speed test: 2800 MB/s read, 2650 MB/s write
OS: Catalina 10.15.3
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013 (Wasn’t listed as version “C”)
Location: Canada
Issues after fresh OS install: Sleep crashes system so I just disabled sleep
_______________________________________________________________
Blade upgrade by @MacNB2
Device: Late 2013 - 14,2 - ME089LL (3.4Ghz i5-4670, 1TB HDD, No Blade).
Blade added: 1TB Kioxia EXCERIA G2 PCIe/NVMe 1.3 Gen3x4
HDD: 1TB SATA HDD was kept as backup
BootROM version: 433.140.2.0.0
SMC Version: 2.15f7
Speed test: ~660 MB/s read, ~770 MB/s write
OS: Catalina 10.15.7
Adapter: eBay
Heatsink: eBay
Temperature sensor: not used - not needed for NVMe
Issues after Cloning HDD->SSD: NONE, sleep works, hibernate works.
HDD upgrade by @zgagato
Device: Late 2014 - 15.1 - none (3.5Ghz i5, Fusion HDD+128GB blade)
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> Crucial MX500 1TB 2.5" SSD
Blade is left as a work drive storage, reformated after dismanteling of Fusion Drive.
OS on SATA SSD
Speed test: 500 MB/s read, 480 MB/s write
OS: Big Sur 11.7[/COLOR]
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: NONE - everything works perfectly
Here is a list of all 27" iMac models subjected in this thread:
Late 2012 - 13.2 - MD095LL/A (2.9Ghz i5-3470S, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2012 [/COLOR]- 13.2 - MD096LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-3470, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2012[/COLOR] - 13.2 - none (3.4Ghz i7-3770, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2013[/COLOR] - 14.2 - ME088LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-4570, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2013[/COLOR] - 14.2 - ME089LL/A (3.4Ghz i5-4670, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2013[/COLOR] - 14.2 - MF125LL/A (3.5Ghz i7-4771, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2014 [/COLOR]- 15.1 - MF886LL/A (3.5Ghz i5-4690, Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2014 [/COLOR]- 15.1 - none (4.0Ghz i7-4790K, Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Mid 2015[/COLOR] - 15.1 - MF885LL/A (3.3Ghz i5-4590, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)[/COLOR]
Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, HDD only / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2015[/COLOR] - 17.1 - MK472LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, Fusion HDD+24GB blade / HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2015[/COLOR] - 17.1 - MK482LL/A (3.3Ghz i5-6600, Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Late 2015[/COLOR] - 17.1 - none (4.0Ghz i7-6700K, Fusion HDD+24GB blade [/COLOR]/ Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNE92LL/A (3.4Ghz i5-7500, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNEA2LL/A (3.5Ghz i5-7600, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNED2LL/A (3.8Ghz i5-7600K, Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Mid 2017 - 18.3 - none (4.2Ghz i5-7700K, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Early 2019 - 19.1 - MRR12LL/A (3.0Ghz i5-8500, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Early 2019 - 19.1 - MRR02LL/A (3.1Ghz i5-8600, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Early 2019 - 19.1 - MRQY2LL/A (3.7Ghz i5-9600K, Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
Early 2019 - 19.1 - none (3.6Ghz i9-9900K, Fusion HDD+32GB blade / Fusion HDD+128GB blade / blade only)
The iMacs before 2017 have issues with the drive's power states [/COLOR]after upgrading the blade SSD with a non-Apple NVMe. The iMacs above marked in BLUE will crash when waking from hibernation, self restart with two start-up chimes. The iMac models marked in ORANGE will either "restart because of a problem", or show a folder with question mark icon (depending on the system event produced)[/COLOR].
Until Apple patches the bootrom with the full NVMe driver that 2017 and 2019 iMac models have, the only way to prevent your iMac from crashing is type the following command in Terminal:
For Late 2015 iMacs (disabling normal sleep) -> sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25 standby 0
For Late 2012 until Mid 2015 iMacs (disabling hibernation) -> sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 0 standby 0 autopoweroff 0
(for the models in blue, alternatively, instead of standby 0, you can leave the standby at 1, and use for example standbydelayhigh 2592000 which equals to one month in seconds)
Regarding the HDD upgrade, almost all (if not all) of the reports for upgrades on 27" iMacs Late 2012 and newer, the OWC's temperature sensor is NOT needed! On older models there would be the fan-spinning-on-max-rpm issue. Perhaps, the newest OS X firmware has eliminated the issue so the temperature control no longer triggers the fan to spin at max rpm in the slim iMac models.
The tools you are going to need are color coded as follows: all, HDD, Blade, CPU.[/COLOR]
-T8, T10 Torx screwdrivers
-wheel opening tool (€1)
-plastic card opening tool (€1) (optional)
-1-2x suction cups (€2)
-spudger tools (€1)
-tweezers (€1) (optional)
-adhesive strips (€2)
-mounting bracket (€2)
-2.5" SATA SSD (example Samsung 860 Evo)
-OWC thermal sensor (€40) (most likely NOT required!)
-adapter for the blade drive (8-13€)
-a small screw to hold the new blade drive on place (it is missing on HDD-only models)
-T5, T25 Torx screwdrivers
-thermal paste for the CPU and GPU (€7)
-a compatiable intel CPU from the same generation as the original
- Kapton Tape to cover the exposed Adapter pins (~€4) - see IMPORTANT NOTE below
For the blade SSD upgrade it does not matter which of the three adapters you use (first, second, third), or if it is sold on ebay, amazon, or wherever else, or if it is branded as Sintech or Kalea or whatever else, they are all the same. Using an AHCI blade will never give you hibernation issues, though those are very limited and no longer manufactured. It does not mater which NVMe drive you use, except the 01.2019 released Samsung 970 Evo Plus which is not compatible with any of the adapters, so do NOT use it unless a new adapter is released.
IFixit guide for SATA HDD replacement
IFixit guide for Blade SSD replacement
IFixit guide for CPU replacement
IFixit guide for Adhesive strips application
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Many of the available Blade Adapters have their connecter PINS exposed such that when inserted into the Logic board, they short out on the shield of the socket on the Logic board.
So it's highly recommended to cover these pins with Kapton tape.
See examples of what other users have done here and here
Examples of how to report your upgrade. These two upgrades below I personally did in 02.2019:
1) HDD + CPU upgrade
Device: Late 2013 - 14.2 - ME088LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-4570, HDD only)
HDD upgrade: 1 TB SATA HDD -> 1TB Samsung 860 Evo SATA SSD
CPU upgrade: i5-4570 -> i5-4670K
Speed test: around 500 MB/s read, 500 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.3
Location: Finland, Europe
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: everything is ok with the fan, OWC temperature sensor NOT required![/COLOR]
More details and problems >here<
2) Blade + CPU upgrade
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, HDD only)
Blade upgrade: none -> 1TB ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro
CPU upgrade: i5-6500 -> i7-6700K
Speed test: 3000 MB/s read, 2300 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.3
Location: Finland, Europe
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: the iMac cannot wake from normal sleep, have to use hibernate 25 instead and disable standby.
More details and problems >here<
The following is a list of upgrades performed by other people, I will update the list as new entries become available:
Blade drive upgrade by Jeden87
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK472LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, Fusion HDD+24GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 24GB Blade -> 512GB Samsung 970 Pro NVMe SSD
Speed test: 2900 MB/s read, 2200 MB/s write
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: the blade drive does not wake up from sleep, have to restart, or disable sleep entirely
Blade drive upgrade by MKhan
Device: Late 2013
Blade upgrade: ?? blade -> 512GB Samsung 970 Pro NVMe SSD
Speed test: 756 MB/s read, 756 MB/s write
Adapter: KALEA-INFORMATIQUE
Issues after fresh OS install: the blade drive does not wake up from sleep, have to restart, or disable sleep entirely
Blade upgrade by ssdaytona
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK472LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, Fusion HDD+24GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 24GB Blade -> 512GB Samsung 970 Pro NVMe SSD
CPU upgrade: i5-6500 -> i7-6700K
Speed test: 2930 MB/s read, 2170 MB/s write
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013 and ST-NGFF2013-C
Issues after fresh OS install: sleep issues with both adapters, have to disable sleep
Blade + HDD upgrade by jdee2wheels[/COLOR]
Device: Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNE92LL/A (3.4Ghz i5-7500, Fusion HDD+32GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade -> 1TB Samsung 970 Evo NVMe SSD
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> SanDisk 2TB 3D SATA III
Speed test: blade 2500 MB/s write, 2900 MB/s read, SATA SSD 450-ish
OS: Mojave 10.14.2
Adapter: Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card, OWC temperature sensor for SATA SSD
Issues after fresh OS install: NONE
HDD upgrade by uller6
Device: Late 2014 - 15.1 - none (4.0Ghz i7-4790K, Fusion HDD+128GB blade)
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> Crucial M500 2TB SSD
Speed test: 500 MB/s read, 480 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.2[/COLOR]
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: NONE - everything works perfectly
Blade + CPU upgrade by mbosse
Device: Late 2013 - 14.2 - MF125LL/A (3.5Ghz i7-4771, Fusion HDD+128GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 128GB blade -> 2TB Samsung 970 Evo NVMe SSD
Speed test: 780 MB/s read, 730 MB/s write
OS: High Sierra 10.13.6
Location: Austria, Europe
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: the blade drive does not wake up from sleep
Blade + HDD + CPU upgrade by macguru8
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, HDD only)
Blade upgrade: none -> 500GB Samsung 970 EVO 500GB M.2 NVMe SSD
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> Seagate Barracuda Pro ST4000DM006 4TB 7200 RPM 128MB Cache
CPU upgrade: i5-6500 -> i7-6700K 4.00 GHz Unlocked Quad Core Skylake
Speed test: 3070 MB/s read, 2374 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.3
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C
Temperature sensor: required for the HDD[/COLOR]
Issues after fresh OS install:[/COLOR] the iMac cannot wake from normal sleep unless I press the power button, had to use hibernate 25 instead and disable standby
Blade +HDD upgrade by MBehr2
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK472LL/A (4.0 Ghz i7-6700K, blade only 512GB)
Blade upgrade: 512GB blade PCIe SATA -> 1TB WDS100T3X0C-00SJG0 (102000WD) PCIe NVMe (WD BLACK SN750 NVMe SSD) + a heat sink.
HDD upgrade: none -> 1TB WDC WDS100T2B0A-00SM50 (X61190WD)
Speed test: 2723 MB/s read, 2913 MB/s write
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013[/COLOR]
Location: Canada, North America
Temperature sensor: works fine without, thus not required
Issues after fresh OS install: sleep issues, have to disable sleep[/COLOR]
Blade +HDD upgrade by rxs0
Device: Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNE92LL/A (3.6Ghz i7-7700, Fusion HDD+32GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade -> 2TB Samsung 970 EVO NVMe SSD
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> 1TB Samsung 960 EVO SATA SSD
Speed test: blade 2500 MB/s write, 3000 MB/s read, SATA SSD 450-ish
OS: Mojave 10.14.4
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C with additional Kapton tape
Temperature sensor: not used
Issues after fresh OS install and restore: [/COLOR]NONE, no sleep or hibernate issues
Blade upgrade by MacManSuite
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade -> 2TB Sabrent Rocket NVMe PCIe M.2 2280
Speed test: 2700 MB/s read, 2700 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.4
Location: UK, Europe
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013 (I did have to cut this slightly so the NVMe sat flat rather then slightly bent)
Issues after fresh OS install: [/COLOR]sleep disabled & hibernation enabled
Blade + HDD upgrade by MacManSuite[/COLOR]
Device: Late 2013 -14.2 (3.5Ghz i7-4771)
Blade upgrade: 128GB SDNEP 655-18378 -> Intel 660P 2TB (SSDPEKNW020T8X1)
HDD upgrade: 3TB SATA ST3000DM001 HDD -> 4TB SATA ST4000DMZ04 HDD (Cold storage)
Speed test: 750 MB/s read, 750 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.4/10.14.5
Location: UK, Europe
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013[/COLOR]
Issues after fresh OS install: working with NO tweaks to sleep mode, no crashes when resuming. Tested under both 10.14.4 and 10.14.5 with no issue
Blade+HDD upgrade by mdelrossi
Device: Late 2014 - 15.1 (4.0Ghz i7-4790K)
Blade upgrade: 128GB Blade -> Intel 660P 1TB
HDD upgrade: HDD -> 2TB SSD Sandisk SDSSDH3-2T00-G25
OS: Mojave 10.14.5
Location: US, North America
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C
Issues after fresh OS install: Flawless. Goes to sleep, wakes up no terminal command. [/COLOR]Clean install, then migrated from existing T5 that I was using as main boot drive.
Blade upgrade by ProteoMX
Device: iMac Late 2013 - 14.2 - ME089LL/A (3.4Ghz i5-4670)
Blade upgrade: none -> Samsung 970 PRO 512GB (MZ-V7P512BW)
Speed test: 780 MB/s read, 738 MB/s write.
OS: Mojave 10.14.5
Location: Venezuela, South America[/COLOR]
Adapter: [/COLOR]Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD[/COLOR] (came in black color, branded as RoHS)[/COLOR]
Issues after fresh OS install: [/COLOR]sleeps seems to be working just fine, I can hit the "Sleep" menu entry, leave the machine alone for a while and when I press the keyboard it just comes back to life and keeps working as usual
Blade+HDD upgrade by macmanss
Device: Early 2019 - 19.1 - MRR12LL/A (3.0GHz i5-8500)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade -> 2TB Samsung 970 EVO NVMe SSD
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> 1TB Samsung 840 EVO SATA SSD (old model)
Speed test: 2900 MB/s read, 2520 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.5
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C
Location: Sydney, Australia
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: none, sleep/wake works fine, no loud fans[/COLOR]
Blade upgrade by iaanda
Device: Mid 2017 - 18.3
HDD upgrade: 32GB Blade -> Intel 760P 512GB
Speed test: around 900 MB/s read, 2900 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.3
Location: New Zealand
Issues after fresh OS install: None[/COLOR]
Blade + HDD upgrade by natheyshaw
Device: Early 2019 - 19.1 - MRR12LL/A (3.7GHz i5-9600)
Blade upgrade: 128GB Blade -> 2TB WD Black NVME
HDD upgrade: 2TB SATA HDD -> 2TB Crucial M500
Speed test: 2970 MB/s read, 2580 MB/s write
OS: Catalina
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C
Location: London, UK
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: none, everything works good
Blade upgrade by eh1160
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, HDD only)
HDD upgrade: 1 TB SATA HDD -> None (removed it)
Blade upgrade: none -> Samsung 970 EVO SSD 500GB - M.2 NVMe (MZ-V7E500BW) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...3596277f5770ffedd227a17f4bab62&language=en_US)
Speed test: ~2390 MB/s read, ~2340 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.15.2 (Catalina)
Location: United States (US - Philadelphia area)
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...498dc3dccc197bf18a11587c1a8515&language=en_US)
Temperature sensor: None - Did not use the SATA interface
Adhesive strips: LeFix Replacement LCD Panel Adhesive Tape (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...34b8e536b0eb5acf5b6713460b9880&language=en_US)
Issues after fresh OS install: The iMac displayed the "blinking question mark folder" as soon as it when to sleep. It would reboot fine. Successfully resolved by running `sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25 standby 0`
Blade upgrade by Jinsang Lee
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK472LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, Fusion HDD+24GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 24GB Blade -> Western Digital pc SN520 NVME SSD 512GB M.2 2280
OS: Catalina 10.15.2 (19C57)
Location: Vietnam, Asia
Adapter: Generic SSD Controller (aliexpress)
Issues after fresh OS install: iMac restart because of a problem (IONVMeFamily .. )
Blade + HDD upgrade by iqmac
Device: Late 2013 -14.2 (3.5Ghz i7-4771), 32GB Ram, 3TB Fusion Drive
Blade upgrade: 128GB -> Intel 660P 2TB (SSDPEKNW020T8X1)
HDD upgrade: 3TB SATA ST3000DM001 HDD -> 2TB SATA Crucial MX500 SSD
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Location: NB Canada
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: Did not do a fresh OS install, cloned from old drive. No problems. Fan Normal, Sleeps as it should.
Blade upgrade by mbosse
Device: Mid 2017 - 18.3 - MNEA2LL/A (3.5Ghz i5-7600, Fusion HDD+32GB blade)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade -> 2TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSD
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> -/-
Speed test: ~2850 MB/s read, ~2750 MB/s write
OS: Catalina 10.15.2
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C
Heatsink: EK Water Blocks EK-M.2 NVMe Heatsink
Temperature sensor: not used
Issues after fresh OS install and restore: NONE, no sleep or hibernate issues
Blade upgrade by priva28
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-6500, HDD only)
Blade upgrade: None -> 500GB WD Black SN750 (no heatsink)
Speed test: 2750 MB/s read, 2400 MB/s write
OS: Catalina 10.15.2
Location: Victoria, Australia
Adapter: No-brand ST-NGFF2013 from eBay + Kapton tape
Boot ROM Version: 174.0.0.0.0
Issues after fresh OS install: the iMac cannot wake from normal sleep, have to use hibernate 25 instead and disable standby.
Blade + HDD upgrade by gpbonneau
Device: iMac 27" Late 2015 Retina 5K - i7 4GHz - 32GB
Blade upgrade: 128GB blade Apple -> Sabrent Rocket NVMe 2TB (for Mojave)
HDD upgrade: 2TB HD SATA Apple -> 1 TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD SATA (for BootCamp/W10)
Speed test: 3080 MB/s read, 2840 MB/s write for the blade; 520 MB/s read, 480 MB/s write for the HDD
Adapter: Sintech NGFF (ST-NGFF2013-C)
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after upgrade: "sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25 standby 0" has been done before the upgrade
Blade upgrade by ozanyuceol
Device: iMac Late 2015, 5K Retina 27", 17.1 - (3.2 GHz i5-6500, Flash Drive 32GB blade PCIe SATA)
Blade upgrade: 32GB Blade PCIe SATA -> 500GB M.2 NVMe (WD BLACK SN750 NVMe SSD without heat sink)
Speed test: 2733 MB/s read, 2423 MB/s write
Adapter: Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter
Issues after fresh OS install: Sleep issues with adapter, solved with "sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25 standby 0"
Blade + HDD upgrade by indranrehan
Device: 2019 iMac (3.7 i5, 580X, 2tb fusion)
Blade upgrade: 128GB Apple -> 970 Pro 1TB Samsung
HDD upgrade: 2TB SATA HDD -> Micron 5210 8TB enterprise SSD
Blade Speed test: 3500/s read, 2400/s write (amorphous) 3050 read, 2600 write (Black magic)
SSD speed test: 530 read, 100 write (amorphous) 380 read, 350 write (black magic)
OS: Catalina 15.1
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: NONE - everything works perfectly
Blade + HDD upgrade by madoleo
Device: Late 2014 27inch - (3.5Ghz i5, 1TB Fusion, 32GB RAM)
HDD upgrade: 1 TB SATA HDD -> 1TB Asseno SSD
Blade upgrade: 128GB Sandisk -> 1TB Samsung Evo 970
Speed test: around 780 MB/s read, 730 MB/s write - PCie; around 508 MB/s read, 477 MB/s write - SATA.
OS: Internet Recovery install of Catalina (from previous Mojave install).
Location: UK, Europe
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: Nothing at the moment.
Blade + HDD upgrade by Limonskyzz
Device: Late 2013 -14.2 (3.5Ghz i7-4771)
Blade upgrade: 128GB SDNEP 655-18378 -> Intel 660P 2TB (SSDPEKNW020T8X1)
HDD upgrade: 3TB SATA ST3000DM001 HDD -> 1TB SATA Evo 960 Samsung SATA
OS: CAtalina 10.15.0/10.15.1
Location: PT, Europe
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Issues after fresh OS install: No problems. Fan Normal, Sleeps as it should.
Blade + HDD upgrade by MadCrux
Device: 27" iMac 14,2 Late 2013 (3.5 GHz Core i7, 1Tb HDD only, 16GB)
HDD upgrade: 1TB original HDD -> 1 TB SSD Samsung Evo 860
Blade: none -> 500 GB Samsung Evo 970
Adapter: Syntech NGFF m2 nVME Adapter Card
Blade + HDD + CPU upgrade by dront_tula
Device: 27" iMac Late 2013 (3.2 GHz Core i5, 1Tb HDD only, 8GB)
CPU update: i5-4570 -> i7-4770 (thermal grease GLACIALTECH IceTherm II, thermal pads over video memory banks)
HDD upgrade: 1TB Seagate ST1000DM003 -> 4TB Seagate ST4000DM001 (same height), NO temp sensor
Blade upgrade: None -> 1TB Intel 660p series (SSDPEKNW010T8)
Adapter: aliexpress -> search "nvme a1465", then add some insulation tape over contacts
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Speed test: blade 760MB/s read, 720MB/write
Sleep issues: none
Blade upgrade by testeri
Device: 27" Retina 5K Late 2014 4 GHz i7 3Tb fusion 32GB
Blade upgrade: 128GB -> Intel 660p 1TB SSD (original HD left in)
Adapter: Sintech long black adapter
OS: Catalina
Issues after fresh OS install: After letting the computer on for the night it woke up without problem in the morning. No problems so far.
HDD upgrade by emulous
Device: Mid 2015 - 15.1 - none (3.3Ghz i5-4590, Radeon R9 M290, 1TB HDD SATA)
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> Samsung 860Evo 500GB SSD)
Speed test: 516MB/s read, 360MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: NONE - everything works perfectly
Blade + HDD + CPU upgrade by sebastienc
Device: 2017 27" - MNEA2LL/A (3.5Ghz Radeon Pro575 1TB Fusion)
CPU upgrade: Kaby Lake i5-7600 to i7-7700
Blade upgrade: Apple 32GB -> Samsung 970 EVO 1TB + Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C + Heatsink + Kapton
HDD upgrade: Samsung 860 1TB
Speed test: NVME 2600MB/s read, 2400MB/s write. SSD 510MB/s read, 480MB/s Write.
OS: Catalina 10.15
Location: Florida
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: NVME temps were very very high. Back to normal after 2 days.
Sleep issues: none.
Blade + HDD upgrade by zkmusa
Device: Late 2013 27" - ME088LL/A (3.2Ghz Blade SSD only)
Blade upgrade: Apple 256GB -> Samsung 970 EVO 1TB
HDD upgrade: none -> Crucial MX500 1TB. Purchased drive rails and SATA cable on eBay.
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013
Speed test: 650-750 MB/s read, 650-750 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Location: Texas
Issues after fresh OS install: none.
Blade + HDD upgrade by hmarold
Device: Late 2015 - 17.1 - MK462LL/A 3.2GHz i5-6500)
Blade upgrade: 1 TB Blade -> WD Black SN750 NVMe M.2
HDD upgrade: 4TB Seagate 3.5
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Adapter: generic.
Location: Australia
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: the iMac cannot wake from normal sleep unless I press the power button, had to use hibernate 25 instead and disable standby
Blade + HDD + CPU upgrade by JRBuchanan
Device: Late 2013 - 14.2 - ME088LL/A (3.2Ghz i5-4570, HDD only)
Blade upgrade: none -> 1TB Crucial P1 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD - CT1000P1SSD8
CPU upgrade: i5-4570 -> i7-4771
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Location: USA
Adapter: Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter
Blade upgrade by Jerma
Device: Late 2015 27" Retina 5K - EMC2834 (3,2Ghz HDD only)
BladeSSD upgrade: none -> Adata XPG SX8200 Pro 512Gt - M.2 SSD
Adapter: ST-NGFF2013-C
Speed test: 2010 MB/s read, 2850 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Location: Finland, Europe.
Issues after fresh OS install: Waking from sleep causes crash and have to reboot. Hibernate works ok.
Blade upgrade by tjdokken
Device: Late 2014 27" iMac, i7, 32GB, R9 M295X 4GB
SSD upgrade: 128GB SATA Express Blade -> Samsung EVO 970 2TB
HDD: Retained factory 3TB SATA from Fusion Drive
Adapter: ST-NGFF2013-C
Speed test: 775 MB/s read, 725 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Location: Woodbury, MN US
Issues after fresh OS install: None
Blade + HDD upgrade by senseiwang
Device: Late 2013 27' base model
Blade upgrade: none -> 32GB Apple blade
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> 1TB SATA HDD
Speed test: 762 MB/s read, 721MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Adapter: none
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: Hibernation issue
Blade + HDD + CPU upgrade by senseiwang
Device: 2017 27' base model
CPU upgrade: i5-7500 -> i7-7700k
Blade upgrade: 32GB -> 512GB 970 Pro
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> 1TB 860 Evo
Speed test: 3028 MB/s read, 2163 MB/s write
OS: Mojave 10.14.6
Adapter: unbranded from ebay.au
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: No issue so far
Blade + CPU upgrade by gilles_polysoft
Device: base 27" iMac 5K 2019 (MRQY2LL/A)
CPU upgrade: i7-9700
Blade upgrade: 2TB PNY CS3030
Speed test: 2800 MB/s read, 2700 MB/s write
Location: France
Issues after fresh OS install: no issues
Blade upgrade by antnythr
Device: Late 2015 - 17,1 - MK482LL/A (3.3GHz i5-6600)
Blade upgrade: 128GB Blade -> 1TB WD Black SN750 NVME
Speed test: 2800 MB/s read, 2650 MB/s write
OS: Catalina 10.15.3
Adapter: Sintech ST-NGFF2013 (Wasn’t listed as version “C”)
Location: Canada
Issues after fresh OS install: Sleep crashes system so I just disabled sleep
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Blade upgrade by @MacNB2
Device: Late 2013 - 14,2 - ME089LL (3.4Ghz i5-4670, 1TB HDD, No Blade).
Blade added: 1TB Kioxia EXCERIA G2 PCIe/NVMe 1.3 Gen3x4
HDD: 1TB SATA HDD was kept as backup
BootROM version: 433.140.2.0.0
SMC Version: 2.15f7
Speed test: ~660 MB/s read, ~770 MB/s write
OS: Catalina 10.15.7
Adapter: eBay
Heatsink: eBay
Temperature sensor: not used - not needed for NVMe
Issues after Cloning HDD->SSD: NONE, sleep works, hibernate works.
HDD upgrade by @zgagato
Device: Late 2014 - 15.1 - none (3.5Ghz i5, Fusion HDD+128GB blade)
HDD upgrade: 1TB SATA HDD -> Crucial MX500 1TB 2.5" SSD
Blade is left as a work drive storage, reformated after dismanteling of Fusion Drive.
OS on SATA SSD
Speed test: 500 MB/s read, 480 MB/s write
OS: Big Sur 11.7[/COLOR]
Temperature sensor: none
Issues after fresh OS install: NONE - everything works perfectly
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