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SSD with 3 GB/s data cable - is this ok?

N

Ne0the1

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 5, 2013
77
2
Hello all,

I will be installing an additional SSD in my iMac. Will a 3GB/s data cable be sufficient?

I think the read and write speeds will be roughly 500MB/s.

I wasn't sure if I would needa 6GB/s cable. Just confirming that 3GB/s cable will be fine and won't slow down any data transfer?
 
Ne0the1 said:
Hello all,

I will be installing an additional SSD in my iMac. Will a 3GB/s data cable be sufficient?

I think the read and write speeds will be roughly 500MB/s.

I wasn't sure if I would needa 6GB/s cable. Just confirming that 3GB/s cable will be fine and won't slow down any data transfer?
Click to expand...

SATA II won't give you 500MB/sec. SATA II write speeds will come in in the 280 range. To take full advantage of the SSD, you will need SATA III.

http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8142/~/difference-between-sata-i,-sata-ii-and-sata-iii

What year is the machine? It is possible to get close to 500MB/sec (close enough not to notice the difference) by booting externally through USB 3.
 
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bent christian said:
SATA II won't give you 500MB/sec. SATA II write speeds will come in in the 280 range. To take full advantage of the SSD, you will need SATA III.

http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8142/~/difference-between-sata-i,-sata-ii-and-sata-iii

What year is the machine? It is possible to get close to 500MB/sec (close enough not to notice the difference) by booting externally through USB 3.
Click to expand...

Hi,

Thakns or your reply.

My iMac is Mid 2011. So I would need Sata III to get the most out of the SSD?

I put an SSD in my Macbook Pro Early 2011, and I get 500MB/s but that was using the existing cable. So I assume the existing cable in my Macbook Pro must be Sata III?
 
Yes.

You may be able to get close using a Thunderbolt to USB 3 adapter. Check this thread. You won't have to open the machine.

Lately, I have been booting externally using USB 3. Write speeds are 395MB/sec and reads are 429MB/sec. You may not notice the 100MB/sec difference in real word use.
 
bent christian said:
Yes.

You may be able to get close using a Thunderbolt to USB 3 adapter. Check this thread. You won't have to open the machine.

Lately, I have been booting externally using USB 3. Write speeds are 395MB/sec and reads are 429MB/sec. You may not notice the 100MB/sec difference in real word use.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply.

I will be putting the SSD in the iMac, I don't want to boot from an external drive.

I prefer it to be internal. So it's best I get the 6GB/s cable then.

Why does my MacBook Pro Early 2011 achieve 500MB/s both read and write. I replacd the HD so the existing cable must be 6GB/s?
 
bent christian said:
I think Apple got SATA III in 2011. The optical bay might be SATA II, so don't put the drive there.
Click to expand...

I won't be replacing anything. There are additional ports on the logic board (one for power, one for data).

Screen Shot 2016-02-17 at 21.26.56.png


Does anyone know what speed this supports?
 
Ne0the1 said:
I won't be replacing anything. There are additional ports on the logic board (one for power, one for data).

View attachment 616975

Does anyone know what speed this supports?
Click to expand...
Ne0the1 said:
I won't be replacing anything. There are additional ports on the logic board (one for power, one for data).

View attachment 616975

Does anyone know what speed this supports?
Click to expand...
Done it before. Just get the 6GB SATA3 data cable and the right SATA power cable.
Follow iFixit guide.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing+iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2429+Dual+Hard+Drive+Kit/7575

You will get SATA3 speed.
 
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