How to separate Fusion drive functionality?

[RealRobD]

Picked up an old 2014 mac mini cheap as chips to use as a tv, movie server etc. And was curious about separating the fusion functionality.
I'm assuming it's all software based and when I replace the 120gb nvme or even wipe it with a fresh OS install it will be separate?
Also curious, what is the key type on the original nvme?

 

[ignatius345]

Picked up an old 2014 mac mini cheap as chips to use as a tv, movie server etc. And was curious about separating the fusion functionality.
I'm assuming it's all software based and when I replace the 120gb nvme or even wipe it with a fresh OS install it will be separate?

Yeah, they're physically separate drives and I'm pretty sure if you replace one of them the logical volume will break and you'll have to reformat both drives.

If you're just using it to serve media, might just be easier to run everything off an external drive and spare all the headaches. Seems like a pretty low-demand use case to me.

Also curious, what is the key type on the original nvme?

Not sure, on the Mini. On iMacs I know they're apparently tricky to source. Minis might be the same. Here's a thread on iMac blade drives: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/a-list-of-successful-imac-27-2012-2019-ssd-upgrades.2162435/

 

[MacCheetah3]

Unless the SSD shows as (near) failing, I recommend splitting the drives, (re)installing the latest compatible Mac OS on the SSD, and using the HDD as mass storage. Of course, you could replace/upgrade just the HDD.

How to split up a Fusion Drive

Whether you made your own Fusion Drive and want to go back, or want to split up one you got from Apple, we'll show you that it isn't a difficult or lengthy process.

www.macworld.com

Apple Proprietary SSDs: Ultimate Guide to Specs & Upgrades | BeetsBlog

Apple’s SSDs are confusing. Are they M.2 drives? What connector do they use? AHCI or NVMe? What drive can I use to upgrade? We have answers. We’ll tell which SSDs work in which MacBook Pros, iMacs, Mac minis and more.

beetstech.com

OWC SSD Flash Storage Upgrade for Mac mini 2014

Upgrade your 2014 Mac mini flash storage up to 2.0TB with speeds up to 92x faster than the original drive. Kit includes all tools for DIY installation.

eshop.macsales.com

 

[Minghold]

Unless the SSD shows as (near) failing, I recommend splitting the drives, (re)installing the latest compatible Mac OS on the SSD, and using the HDD as mass storage. Of course, you could replace/upgrade just the HDD.

This is a terrible idea, and especially so if the Mac is a hard-to-dissassemble model. Firstly, Fusion drives are designed for HFS+, and drive longevity of both ssd and hdd are maximized that way. (So, run High Sierra, or Mojave-cloned-to-HFS+ on such systems. If you're trying to run a newer APFS OS, install it on a larger external SSD drive.)

 

[Fishrrman]

I have to disagree with Minghold.

The OP's Mini had a 128gb SSD (paired with an HDD).
The OP can split the fusion drive, choosing to retain the factory SSD for booting/running (but keeping it "slimmed down").

And then use the HDD for data storage, large libraries, etc.
Or.. replace it with an SSD.

If the OP chooses to install a new SSD, he can boot from the larger SSD, and still keep the 128gb factory SSD as a "secondary boot" drive. It's ALWAYS better to have a bootable backup drive on an Intel-based Mac...

 

[Boyd01]

Not sure why this old thread has re-surfaced, but I split the fusion drive in a 2014 Mini back in 2019 and used the 128gb internal SSD as the boot drive for 5 years with no issues. Only used it as a server for my large iTunes library on my AppleTV's and other devices (all my media was on a 4tb external SSD). Replaced the whole thing with an m4 Mini over a year ago, so it's a moot point now. But here's an old thread:

Split the fusion drive on my "new" 2014 Mini?

Couldn't resist any longer and just ordered a new 2014 2.8ghz/8gb/1tb fusion Mini on sale at B&H Photo for $529. Have been using a base 2014 1.4ghz/4gb/500gb HD mini as an iTunes server for the past 3 years and have been concerned about what I might replace it with when it inevitably dies (it...

forums.macrumors.com