iMac 2009 upgrade help - SSD

[otaku.nige]

Hiya all,

I have a late 2009 iMac (27'' 11.1, 2.8 i7) and I'd like to upgrade the HD as it starting to sound a bit dodgy. I want to fit an SSD drive in and I have found a few that are OK price wise. My question is, can I fit any 2.5 SSD drive (along with the appropriate adaptor) or are there restrictions affecting my choice?

Also, I'd like to put more ram in once I have the 'case' open. I have two spare slots, can I add more DDR ram in any combination eg a 2 and 4, alongside the 2 + 2 already installed?

Many thanks,

Nige

 

[jerwin]

everymac says

Supports 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SO-DIMMs (204-pin).

By default, 4 GB of RAM was installed as two 2 GB SO-DIMM modules. Two slots free.

*Officially, this model supports a maximum of 16 GB of RAM. However, as carefully confirmed by Other World Computing, this model can support up to 32 GB of RAM if it is running Mac OS X 10.6.3 "Snow Leopard" or higher in 64-bit mode and has been updated to use the latest EFI version. It is limited to 16 GB of RAM in 32-bit mode.

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i7-2.8-27-inch-aluminum-late-2009-specs.html

you don't have to open the case to install the RAM.

ram is best installed in matched pairs.

as for the ssd, that does require opening the case.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2309+and+2374+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1634

 

[otaku.nige]

Hi Jerwin,

Thanks for the info. Can anyone confirm if any 2.5 SSD will be OK?

Thanks,

Nige.

 

[jerwin]

that I don't know.

the late 2009 imac uses SATA-II, not SATA-III. Many SATA-III drives are backwards compatible, but a small number aren't.