Can I remove Mechanical HDD in my 2017 iMac and use blade SSD only?

[Me0veru]

So I want to open up my 2017 27inch iMac and replace the Fusion drive with a single 1tb M.2 SSD with an Adapter. I want to know if it is possible to completely remove the mechanical HDD and replace it with nothing. I want it removed because I hate the sound of the disk spinning and it makes my relatively modern computer feel like part of it is from 2007...

I have read that the 2017 iMac doesn't have a problem with the thermal sensor on the HDD like earlier models do. So will I have any problems?

 

[elbert]

 

[DeltaMac]

I don't think there are any problems with HDD temp sensors on your 2017 iMac.
But, I have not ever simply disconnected the spinner, so I'n not sure if an "open" connection will disconnect the temp sensor, and leave you with a fail-safe full-speed fan (never tried that on a somewhat newer iMac)
Another option would be to replace the spinning hard drive with an SSD, and also upsize the m.2 stick. The m.2 stick will be best for the boot drive, as it is much faster than an SSD on the SATA bus.
Replacing both will give you a lot of internal storage (depending on how much you want to spend...), and the extra noise from that annoying spinning drive will be removed forever...

 

[samz7777]

Hi Me0veru, I also have a 2017 27" iMac and have been contemplating doing away with the HDD and running only off the PCIe SSD. Were you successful with this idea? Any tips?

Thanks