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Is it possible to upgrade 2014 5k iMac SSD?

B

badlydrawnboy

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 20, 2003
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I have a 2014 5k iMac with 512 GB SSD. Is it possible to upgrade to 1 TB SSD?

I think these may be non-upgradable but just checking to be sure. Thanks.
 
What do you need the extra storage space FOR ...?

It would probably be FAR easier to just buy a 480gb EXTERNAL USB3 SSD and plug it in.

You will have to manage TWO drive icons on your desktop, but this is trivial.

If all you need is more storage space for things like photos, movies, and music, it's not cost-effective to install a new internal drive (even if you can find one, I believe Apple uses a proprietary design).

Even a 1 or 2tb platter-based HDD (connected externally) would suffice for photos/movies/music. These are files that don't require high transfer speeds.
 
I considered an external drive, but the problem is I need a completely silent work environment because I do a lot of audio recording. That's why I was hoping to replace the SSD.
 
i wouldn't take the lcd out as those ribbon cables can be really problematic to get back in. I get artifacting with mine after a ssd replacement , Just add externally or see if apple can do it and give you a warranty.
 
Okay, thanks. Maybe I can get by with an external drive until the next iMac comes out.
 
You can add an external bus powered Thunderbolt or USB3 drive easily, and simply velcro it to the back of the stand. The photo shows a Seagate 4TB RAID-0 hard disk, but any size disk or SSD can be used. I can't hear the 2.5" drives in mine, and I set them to power down when not actually being used.

The 4TB is configured as 1TB for bootable clone backup of the internal 1TB SSD, and 3TB additional library storage. It all is backed up over the network to a MacMini Server with external RAID5 drives (backup for all the household computers).

iMacDiskDrive.jpeg
 
Yup, you could go with something like the Samsung T3 if you want silent and don't need too much extra space. Those are ridiculously portable, so you can do something like what hfg did to hide it.
 
hfg said:
You can add an external bus powered Thunderbolt or USB3 drive easily, and simply velcro it to the back of the stand. The photo shows a Seagate 4TB RAID-0 hard disk, but any size disk or SSD can be used. I can't hear the 2.5" drives in mine, and I set them to power down when not actually being used.

The 4TB is configured as 1TB for bootable clone backup of the internal 1TB SSD, and 3TB additional library storage. It all is backed up over the network to a MacMini Server with external RAID5 drives (backup for all the household computers).

View attachment 670274
Click to expand...

This is a fantastic idea. Thank you.
 
hfg said:
You can add an external bus powered Thunderbolt or USB3 drive easily, and simply velcro it to the back of the stand. The photo shows a Seagate 4TB RAID-0 hard disk, but any size disk or SSD can be used. I can't hear the 2.5" drives in mine, and I set them to power down when not actually being used.

The 4TB is configured as 1TB for bootable clone backup of the internal 1TB SSD, and 3TB additional library storage. It all is backed up over the network to a MacMini Server with external RAID5 drives (backup for all the household computers).

View attachment 670274
Click to expand...

TY for posting this hard drive porn. I run an external 2.5" SSD but it is not mounted as sexy as yours.
 
Fishrrman said:
What do you need the extra storage space FOR ...?

It would probably be FAR easier to just buy a 480gb EXTERNAL USB3 SSD and plug it in.

You will have to manage TWO drive icons on your desktop, but this is trivial.

If all you need is more storage space for things like photos, movies, and music, it's not cost-effective to install a new internal drive (even if you can find one, I believe Apple uses a proprietary design).

Even a 1 or 2tb platter-based HDD (connected externally) would suffice for photos/movies/music. These are files that don't require high transfer speeds.
Click to expand...
How would this work with Time Machine backups? Can you do TM on an external drive?
 
DaveTheRave said:
How would this work with Time Machine backups? Can you do TM on an external drive?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can do TM with any external drive, including NAS (network) drives.

For me, when I plug an external drive in and format it, a time machine popup automatically comes up and asks if I want to use it for TM.
 
macmee said:
Yes, you can do TM with any external drive, including NAS (network) drives.

For me, when I plug an external drive in and format it, a time machine popup automatically comes up and asks if I want to use it for TM.
Click to expand...
I mean, if your photo collection is on an external drive, can you use TM to backup that hard drive onto a second external drive?
 
DaveTheRave said:
I mean, if your photo collection is on an external drive, can you use TM to backup that hard drive onto a second external drive?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can include your external drive in your TM backup scheme.

By default, TimeMachine will exclude attached external drives and they will appear in the "Options" list of TimeMachine Preferences. Simply remove (with the "-" button) the drive that you wish to include in your backups and save the change.
 
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hfg said:
Yes, you can include your external drive in your TM backup scheme.

By default, TimeMachine will exclude attached external drives and they will appear in the "Options" list of TimeMachine Preferences. Simply remove (with the "-" button) the drive that you wish to include in your backups and save the change.
Click to expand...
Wow I learned something new today. Thanks!
 
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