iMac 2010: Add additional SSD, HELP!

[imacFan84]

Hey guys,

I have an iMac 27'' from mid 2010 with a 2 TB harddrive. Bought it without SSD.
Now I want to add a SSD, so I both have a SSD and the 2 TB harddrive.

Which SSD do you recommend? My budget: 1000 Dollar.
I want a very fast SSD with at least 128 GB.

After installing the SSD I have to install the OS to the SSD, should I also format the harddrive or does it work without formating?

Do you know any good tutorial for the iMac 2010 to add an additional SSD?


Thank you.

 

[egghead6398]

I got the same iMac few months ago. I am planning to do the same, but I am waiting for the SSD prices to come down a bit. I've been told this Black Friday will be the optimal time for that It's already pretty close to $1 per 1GB rate these days… so I would say your $1000 budget for 128GB might be too much unless you are having someone else install it for you. I am planning to spend about $300 for 256GB SSD and do the job myself. Another $100 for cables and parts. Since 2010 iMacs don't support SATA3, there is really no reason for you to get the SATA3 SSD. My recommendation would be to get the older and reliable brand like Samsung, Intel, Crucial, etc… So far I've found this tutorial to be the most extensive. http://www.twam.info/hardware/apple/installing-additional-ssd-in-mid-2010-27-imac If anyone else know of a better tutorial for iMac 2010, I would really like to know too. As for formatting SSD, I would assume it works the same way as traditional HD. Just format it as normal HD and install OS. Good luck.