Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Worlrl

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 22, 2020
105
95
Hey all.
My brother bought 3 years ago an iMac 21.5 retina 4K.
The only problem is that it have 5400rpm hdd and my brother ditched it for a windows pc after 2 months.
Back then I thought there is an hardware issue but I see from forums that the problem is the hard drive.
I want to revive this Mac and before I use an external ssd I wanted to know if there is any software way to speed up this hard drive??
Thanks guys
 
Two options only. Open it up and replace the HDD with an SSD, or go external as suggested.
Also the memory cannot be increased via a hatch door like the 27" model. For mine I believe these 21.5" 1TB 5400rpm models are produced to be in the market place with cheapie PCs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Worlrl
I wouldn't bother with the internal HDD. In the best cases, it runs slow. On APFS, especially on Catalina, it runs super slow.

Just get an external SSD or replace the internal. You have lots of options, and you could get a 1TB SSD with an USB3 enclosure for less than $100 if you are in the US.

Trust me, your Mac would feel like a totally different computer with a SSD.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Worlrl
You cannot make a 5400rpm platter-based hard drive "faster".

If your brother wants "more speed" from his iMac, he needs to do this:
- Get an EXTERNAL USB3 SSD
- Plug it in and erase it with Disk Utility
- Put a copy of the OS onto it and set it to be the new [external] boot drive.
This is VERY EASY to do.

What SIZE is the drive inside the iMac?
Get back to us with this info.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sracer and Worlrl
Inside the iMac is a 1tb hdd.
I’m checking on external ssd’s. Should I use a USB c 3.1 or 3.2?
Not sure it’s support the 3.2
 
Inside the iMac is a 1tb hdd.
What iMac do you have?

Should I use a USB c 3.1 or 3.2?
You have to be careful when referencing and shopping for USB devices.

For some silly reason, the power at be rename the colloquial name for USB3 specifications. So, the names change, but the specification stays the same.

USB3.0 is the same as USB3.1 gen1 and now known as USB3.2 Gen 1. It has max of 5Gbps. Many people also refer to this as USB3.

USB3.1 is the same as USB 3.1 gen2 and now known as USB3.2 gen2. It has up to 10Gbps.

USB 3.2, which is now known as 3.2 Gen 2x2. It has a max of 20Gbps.

Just looking above, anyone can understand why talking about USB can be confusing.


I’m checking on external ssd’s.
There are a bunch of external options and not just USB, all have pros and cons.

USB3 (or USB3.2 Gen1) SATA SSD, is the cheapest option for external, and will give a decent speed increase over your HDD. It would feel like a different computer, and will be much more responsive. You would see real world speeds of about 400MBps. The biggest downside to USB3 (and all USB) is that there is no TRIM support for USB on the MacOS. You can get a 1TB SSD and enclosure or SATA/USB adapter cable for less than $100 in the US.

Depending on the year of your Mac, you might be able to take advantage of the newer USB standards, meaning faster speed, but a little higher cost. Again, there is no TRIM support for USB on the MacOS, so this is the biggest downside.

Another option would be a SSD over TB1, 2, or 3. TB drives support TRIM, so this is a huge plus, but it comes at a higher cost.

They are not as easy to find, especially for cheap, but you could get a TB1 or TB2 enclosure. I have purchased a few TB1 HDD drives, and replaced the HDD with a SATA SSD. The LaCie Rugged TB drive is a good example, you can replace the HDD in it with a SSD in less than 2 minutes. If it is TB1, you will see slightly faster real world speed than USB3, but having TRIM support is the main sell. I never tested the TB2 model, so I cannot comment on the speeds.

The fastest external drive possible without getting into striping RAIDs would be a NVMe SSD over TB3. Depending on your Mac and if it has a TB3 port, you could see speeds almost 3000MBps using a TB3 NVMe SSD. The biggest downside to this is cost. The enclosures start about $150, and that is without the NVMe drive.

You can use TB3 NVMe drives on older Macs too. I am currently using a Samsung X5 NVMe TB3 drive on my Late 2012 iMac. It is the fastest possible drive on my iMac, internal or external. I get almost 900Mbps max speeds.

If you Mac does not have TB3 port, I wouldn't recommend getting a TB3 drive unless you are looking for max speeds, as there is more investment due to the TB1 and TB2 ports not providing power over the bus to TB3 devices. Basically, you have to get a TB3 dock in addition to the TB3 drive to power the drive.


Let us know what Mac you have, and that could help narrow down the pros and cons of your options.
 
What iMac do you have?


You have to be careful when referencing and shopping for USB devices.

For some silly reason, the power at be rename the colloquial name for USB3 specifications. So, the names change, but the specification stays the same.

USB3.0 is the same as USB3.1 gen1 and now known as USB3.2 Gen 1. It has max of 5Gbps. Many people also refer to this as USB3.

USB3.1 is the same as USB 3.1 gen2 and now known as USB3.2 gen2. It has up to 10Gbps.

USB 3.2, which is now known as 3.2 Gen 2x2. It has a max of 20Gbps.

Just looking above, anyone can understand why talking about USB can be confusing.



There are a bunch of external options and not just USB, all have pros and cons.

USB3 (or USB3.2 Gen1) SATA SSD, is the cheapest option for external, and will give a decent speed increase over your HDD. It would feel like a different computer, and will be much more responsive. You would see real world speeds of about 400MBps. The biggest downside to USB3 (and all USB) is that there is no TRIM support for USB on the MacOS. You can get a 1TB SSD and enclosure or SATA/USB adapter cable for less than $100 in the US.

Depending on the year of your Mac, you might be able to take advantage of the newer USB standards, meaning faster speed, but a little higher cost. Again, there is no TRIM support for USB on the MacOS, so this is the biggest downside.

Another option would be a SSD over TB1, 2, or 3. TB drives support TRIM, so this is a huge plus, but it comes at a higher cost.

They are not as easy to find, especially for cheap, but you could get a TB1 or TB2 enclosure. I have purchased a few TB1 HDD drives, and replaced the HDD with a SATA SSD. The LaCie Rugged TB drive is a good example, you can replace the HDD in it with a SSD in less than 2 minutes. If it is TB1, you will see slightly faster real world speed than USB3, but having TRIM support is the main sell. I never tested the TB2 model, so I cannot comment on the speeds.

The fastest external drive possible without getting into striping RAIDs would be a NVMe SSD over TB3. Depending on your Mac and if it has a TB3 port, you could see speeds almost 3000MBps using a TB3 NVMe SSD. The biggest downside to this is cost. The enclosures start about $150, and that is without the NVMe drive.

You can use TB3 NVMe drives on older Macs too. I am currently using a Samsung X5 NVMe TB3 drive on my Late 2012 iMac. It is the fastest possible drive on my iMac, internal or external. I get almost 900Mbps max speeds.

If you Mac does not have TB3 port, I wouldn't recommend getting a TB3 drive unless you are looking for max speeds, as there is more investment due to the TB1 and TB2 ports not providing power over the bus to TB3 devices. Basically, you have to get a TB3 dock in addition to the TB3 drive to power the drive.


Let us know what Mac you have, and that could help narrow down the pros and cons of your options.

Thank you ! Very helpful!
The iMac is 2017 21.5” retina 4K
 
The iMac is 2017 21.5” retina 4K
This iMac has the 40Gbps TB3 ports, so no need for extra equipment to use TB3 NVM SSDs like in earlier Macs. Depending on the NVMe, you could see speeds up to about 3000MBps using a TB3 NVMe enclosure.

You could save money buy purchasing your NVMe SSD and enclosure separately, spending about $100-$150 for a 1TB NVMe and $150 for the enclosure ($250-$300 total), or get one like the Samsung X5 that is a "no assembly required" drive and crazy fast. They are expensive though. The 1TB X5 is about $400.


It also has USB3.2 Gen2, so you could take advantage of the higher 10Gbps speeds. USB3.2 Gen2 NVMe enclosures are a lot cheaper than TB3 NVMe enclosures, so if cost is an issue, that is something to consider. Real world speeds would be about 900MBps using this method. But, a downside of using any USB drive is that it doesn't have TRIM support on MacOS.

Just like TB3 NVMe, you can save on buying a separate enclosure and NVMe SSD. Again, about $100-$150 for the 1TB NVMe, and about $30-$50 for a USB3.2 Gen2 enclosure ($130-$200 total), or get one like the Samsung T7 that is a "no assembly required" drive. Again, this is more expensive @ about $230.


If lower cost is a high priority, then using a SATA USB3 enclosure or adapter would work on your Mac. While not nearly as fast as other options, it would still be a huge upgrade over your HDD. You would see real world speeds about 400MBps, and you can get a 1TB SATA SSD for as cheap as $80, and an USB3 enclosure for only $10 ($90 total). If you want to spend a little more, you can get a 1TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD. They are reviewed almost 5/5 stars, and can sometimes be found on sale for about $120.

You could also get a "no assembly required" drive, like the Samsung T5 for $140 retail.


No matter what SSD you choose, it will be a huge upgrade over your HDD. I am sure you will be happy with the performance, and kicking yourself for not doing it sooner.
 
This iMac has the 40Gbps TB3 ports, so no need for extra equipment to use TB3 NVM SSDs like in earlier Macs. Depending on the NVMe, you could see speeds up to about 3000MBps using a TB3 NVMe enclosure.

You could save money buy purchasing your NVMe SSD and enclosure separately, spending about $100-$150 for a 1TB NVMe and $150 for the enclosure ($250-$300 total), or get one like the Samsung X5 that is a "no assembly required" drive and crazy fast. They are expensive though. The 1TB X5 is about $400.


It also has USB3.2 Gen2, so you could take advantage of the higher 10Gbps speeds. USB3.2 Gen2 NVMe enclosures are a lot cheaper than TB3 NVMe enclosures, so if cost is an issue, that is something to consider. Real world speeds would be about 900MBps using this method. But, a downside of using any USB drive is that it doesn't have TRIM support on MacOS.

Just like TB3 NVMe, you can save on buying a separate enclosure and NVMe SSD. Again, about $100-$150 for the 1TB NVMe, and about $30-$50 for a USB3.2 Gen2 enclosure ($130-$200 total), or get one like the Samsung T7 that is a "no assembly required" drive. Again, this is more expensive @ about $230.


If lower cost is a high priority, then using a SATA USB3 enclosure or adapter would work on your Mac. While not nearly as fast as other options, it would still be a huge upgrade over your HDD. You would see real world speeds about 400MBps, and you can get a 1TB SATA SSD for as cheap as $80, and an USB3 enclosure for only $10 ($90 total). If you want to spend a little more, you can get a 1TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD. They are reviewed almost 5/5 stars, and can sometimes be found on sale for about $120.

You could also get a "no assembly required" drive, like the Samsung T5 for $140 retail.


No matter what SSD you choose, it will be a huge upgrade over your HDD. I am sure you will be happy with the performance, and kicking yourself for not doing it sooner.
Thank you very much I really appreciate your help. I think I’ll go with Samsung t7 since tb drives isn’t available in my country. Thank again!
 
TRIM support is never an issue if your SSD has 5 year coverage of warranty.
I guess this is true when talking about premature failure, but not having TRIM support could lead to slowdowns over time.

There have a been a few threads lately regarding SSD slowdowns then ended up being due to the lack of TRIM support, and enabling TRIM corrected the behavior.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nguyen Duc Hieu
Get an external USB3 SSD. It will be fine. Don't worry about TRIM -- for the vast majority, it never becomes an issue.

If you get a Samsung t7, I recommend that you DO NOT BUY the "t7 touch" version.
Get the "plain" t7 (no "touch").

And be sure to ERASE IT before using it with the iMac.
 
Just wanted to update.
I ended up buying a Sandisk extreme pro and every thing is going well, really fast computer now!
The ssd getting to speeds of about 850 mb/s

Can’t get it to 1000 like it advertised but it’s fine
 
Can’t get it to 1000 like it advertised but it’s fine
There are two possible reasons for this.

a) the advertised speed is only achievable under certain circumstandes in sequential read with a particular benchmark application (less likely)
b) you have FileVault2 disk encryption enabled (more likely)

Since the 2017 and 2019 iMacs don't have a T2 chip yet en- and decrypting is handled by the CPU, which in turns adds an additional layer of latency thereby decreasing read and write speeds.
 
Get an external USB3 SSD. It will be fine. Don't worry about TRIM -- for the vast majority, it never becomes an issue.

If you get a Samsung t7, I recommend that you DO NOT BUY the "t7 touch" version.
Get the "plain" t7 (no "touch").

And be sure to ERASE IT before using it with the iMac.
Is there any problem with the T7 touch version if formatting it to APFS?
They now sell the touch version cheaper than the regular t7
 
I have the same iMac i bought second hand. Really disappointed with the speed before i spent a very small amount on a 500GB SSD. Night and day difference, extremely speedy and wonderful to use.
 
I have a 2017 21.5" retina 4k iMac and am considering buying an external SSD to help speed up my painfully slow fusion drive with disk drive. After reading through the comments here, I had a few questions:

1) Is there a disadvantage to buying an external drive instead of the SSD and enclosure separately? Is cost the only difference or is there a difference in performance or heat management?

2) If I go the external drive route, I've been looking at either the samsung T7 or the sandisk extreme V2 - Does anyone have experience with either of these as boot/os drives?

Thanks!
 
Yep mine previous iMac had a faster drive 7200 I think.

Anyway $100 solved my issue with my second hand iMac
 
I’ve been using an external Samsung T7 500GB active for six months. Great performance enhancement for less than $120
Perfect! Thanks! Any issues with waking from sleep with the external drive?

Hopefully this will extend the life of my Mac. :)
 
It’s criminal that Apple put a 5400rpm platter drive in a 2017 iMac, I mean jeeze the cheap bastards, even the 8yr older 2009 iMacs came with a faster drive.
Completely agree! Back in 2002 I built a PC using 7200rpm drive, it's insane to me that 5400rpm spinning drives were still the default for Apple in 2017!
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.