Requirement for iMac 2017 27" 5K SSD upgrade?

[got.xid]

Hi all,

Been wanting to upgrade fusion drive in my 27" iMac 2017 5K to SSD (Internal installation).

What are the requirements for the SSD? Is NVME not compatible with this model? Saw some videos (11:25) on YouTube to verify. Not sure what type of SSD this is, don't think its NVME, and it's not 2.5 either.

I went to local Mac repair shop with Apple certified technician and asked how much it would cost me. They said that the SSD HAS to be 2.5 one. And that I would have to pay additional fees for Thermal sensor and Transposer installation.
$225 for transfer data and installation
$58 for Thermal sensor installation
$45 for Transposer
$450 Samsung EVO 860 2TB
(All in CAD. Yes, its mad expensive here compared to US lol)

Correct me if Im wrong, but I thought I could just buy a NVME SSD, bring my iMac to the store and have em install it for me, no?

My questions are:
1. Is paying for thermal sensor necessary? Do I need this?
2. Can you install NVME SSD on 2017 27" iMac? (Does it have to be 2.5 SSD? What's the SSD that the video shows?)
3. If #2 answer is "2.5 must", does it need a transposer?
4. Should I just get a TB3 enclosure and slot the NVME SSD, use that as bootable? (Main concern is overheating)

 

[mj_]

This should answer all of your questions:

A list of successful iMac 27" (2012-2019) SSD upgrades

Here you can find and discuss all the collected knowledge regarding upgrading the HDD, blade SSD and CPU of a 27" iMac 2012-2019, as well as a list of performed upgrades. Here is a list of all 27" iMac models subjected in this thread: Late 2012 - 13.2 - MD095LL/A (2.9Ghz i5-3470S, HDD only /...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[got.xid]

This should answer all of your questions:

A list of successful iMac 27" (2012-2019) SSD upgrades

Here you can find and discuss all the collected knowledge regarding upgrading the HDD, blade SSD and CPU of a 27" iMac 2012-2019, as well as a list of performed upgrades. Here is a list of all 27" iMac models subjected in this thread: Late 2012 - 13.2 - MD095LL/A (2.9Ghz i5-3470S, HDD only /...

forums.macrumors.com

Ya, I recently found this link.

1. The link mentions thermal sensors too. I guess it is necessary. Usually, it's built-in apparently.

2. By default, I cannot install NVME SSD. I would need an adapter. OC mentioned getting full adapter instead of short one

3. Now that I know adapter is required, by default, yes, 2.5 is technically "non-warranty voiding" method, which means I do need to get transposer to hold the drive in place.

4. Adding up all the cost plus the adapter+NVME SSD (Around $1,000 after tax) + knowing it will void my warranty, I might as well just get the enclosure and do bootable external SSD instead, will be much cheaper (Probably less than $600-700 after tax). Plus, it'll be way less work.

 

[mj_]

1) There's a heated debate regarding that thermal sensor but from what I understand it is not required with 2017 and 2019 iMacs anymore.

2) That's right, you can install an NVMe SSD but you will need an adapter.

3) Installing a 2.5-inch drive will still void your warranty since you will have to remove the adhesive strips around the display either way.

4) Correct. Which is why a lot of people do that. However, you won't necessarily end up saving much if you want the same performance. Internal NVMe performance requires a Samsung X5 (CA $1,000 for 2TB). Slightly lower speeds are available with Samsung's T7 (CA $520 for 2TB). If you want the best of both worlds you can get a fast 500GB or 1TB X5 for your operating system and applications (CA $580 for 1TB, CA $320 for 500GB) and add another 1TB T7 for your data for another CA $280.