List of SATA SSDs known [not] to work in iMac G5s and Power Mac G5s

[Amethyst1]

This post aims to consolidate information on which SATA SSDs have been tested to work fine using the Power Mac G5’s and iMac G5’s on-board SATA ports. This isn't just limited to SATA III SSDs. Any SATA SSD that's been successfully used in a G5 can be listed here.

List of SSDs known to work in G5s

Manufacturer	Model & Capacity	Controller	SATA Interface	G5 model	Notes
OWC	120GB Mercury Electra 3G [2.5"]	SandForce SF-????	SATA II	A1047 (mid 2004) DP 2.0GHz	serves as boot drive
OWC	500GB Mercury Electra 6G [2.5"]	SandForce SF-????	SATA II	(late 2005) Quad Core 2.5GHz
Intel	160GB 320 Series [2.5"]	Intel 320 (G3?)	SATA II	(late 2005) Quad Core 2.5GHz
Kingston	240GB SA400S3	Phison PS3111-S11 ???	SATA III	(late 2005) Quad Core 2.5GHz	tested with GRUB / Linux
OCZ	120GB Vertex 3	SandForce SF2281	SATA III	PowerMac11,2

List of SSDs known NOT to work in G5s

Manufacturer	Model & Capacity	Controller	SATA Interface	G5 model	Notes
Intel	180GB Pro 2500 Series [2.5"]	?	SATA III	Aug 2004 iMac G5 1.8GHz	Not visible in the internal SATA-bus. Does work and boot when installed in external FW case.
Crucial	500GB MX500	Silicon Motion SM2259	SATA III	PowerMac7,3 and PowerMac11,2

 

[joevt]

Maybe include list of SSDs known to not work properly in Power Mac G5s.

 

[Amethyst1]

Maybe include list of SSDs known to not work properly in Power Mac G5s.

I’ll add a second table. Thanks for the hint. 👍

 

[haralds]

I added my Mac Mini config, which should also work in G5.

 

[Amethyst1]

I added my Mac Mini config, which should also work in G5.

Since the G5s use a different chipset and don’t require a PATA-to-SATA bridge, that is not a given. The thread is meant to list configurations that are known (not) to work in G5s. I have moved your config to this thread, however.

 

[Edgecrusherr]

I bought two 500GB Mercury Electra 3G for my Late 2005 PowerMac G5 2.0 MP, and the system will not boot with them connected. I used them with and with a NewTech SATA 2.5 to 3.5 adaptor as well. I can boot into the OS copy I made using a Firewire drive, and can boot the 10.5 Install DVD as long as they SSDs are not connect. An old SATA hard drive works fine. It doesn't matter if it's one of both SSDs either.

 

[amishallin]

Samsung 870 doesn't work. I've tried 1TB and 512GB (from a gaming PC that was upgraded). They will sometimes show up in Disk Utility and can be formatted but disappear on reboot... may show up again in 5 or more reboots still containing things copied to them previously.

My quad (built-in SATA) currently has 2 2TB OWC Electra 3G drives and they work great. The NewerTech AdaptaDrive thing works too... just need longer bolts to fit the goofy drive bay rails.

The OWC Electra drives seem to be the best for compatibility. Have these in a QuickSilver G4, B&W G3 and even a Performa 6300 with their adapter. The G3 and G4 are using Sonnet Tempo SATA cards... no SATA/ATA adapter and are bootable.

 

[svamethyst99]

seagate za500cm10002 500GB SSD does not work in a G5. i have a 600GB intel 320 on the way that i got for a little under $20 which was quite a steal and i'll see if that works in mine.