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Stack SSDs

ronharp

ronharp

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 16, 2012
18
6
I'm going to install a 1TB SSHD along with my current EVO 500 ssd. I've seen many videos re installing locations for a 2nd drive but am curious: Some videos install the SSD on top of the HDD. Can I stack the 2 drives in the HDD bay(only for ease of install)? They are both 2.5" drives. From what I've read so far it appears that there is room to do this. This is a mid 2010 Imac.
 
ronharp said:
I'm going to install a 1TB SSHD along with my current EVO 500 ssd. I've seen many videos re installing locations for a 2nd drive but am curious: Some videos install the SSD on top of the HDD. Can I stack the 2 drives in the HDD bay(only for ease of install)? They are both 2.5" drives. From what I've read so far it appears that there is room to do this. This is a mid 2010 Imac.
Click to expand...

Well, this is depressing. I can't tell if none of the "always very helpful" Mac folks are stumped or the right one has not read this . . . OR if the question is just too dumb to pay attention to. lol
 
If both 2.5" and the original HDD is 3.5" then yes there is adaptors to stack them.

Just matter of power and data cables to the drives then.

here is example of dual 2.5 for a 3.5 bay:
81K1LwExOlL._SX355_.jpg

[doublepost=1527263320][/doublepost]You did not say which imac you have which may be a reason for lack of repyly
 
elf69 said:
If both 2.5" and the original HDD is 3.5" then yes there is adaptors to stack them.

Just matter of power and data cables to the drives then.

here is example of dual 2.5 for a 3.5 bay:
81K1LwExOlL._SX355_.jpg

[doublepost=1527263320][/doublepost]You did not say which imac you have which may be a reason for lack of repyly
Click to expand...

Thank you so much. Not sure if my "sense of humor", such as it is, was going to offend anyone. Should I have put the 27" along with the mid 2010 imac in my original post? I'm never quite sure how much difference there is between the two other than screen size but learning if slowly. I do have the OWC power splitter and their red a data cable.
 
Some newer imac I think had different HDDs.

So the adaptor I showed you will fit and allow 2x2.5" drives inside ur imac.
 
The important question is:
Do you have TWO SATA-compliant connections on the iMac's motherboard?
 
Fishrrman said:
The important question is:
Do you have TWO SATA-compliant connections on the iMac's motherboard?
Click to expand...

Judging from all the videos I've looked at there is an unused connection on the logic board and I have a cable in one of the kits to use that.
Thanks, I can't get enough comments to check out before opening this beast up.
 
ronharp said:
I'm going to install a 1TB SSHD along with my current EVO 500 ssd. I've seen many videos re installing locations for a 2nd drive but am curious: Some videos install the SSD on top of the HDD. Can I stack the 2 drives in the HDD bay(only for ease of install)? They are both 2.5" drives. From what I've read so far it appears that there is room to do this. This is a mid 2010 Imac.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the 21.5" iMac, but in my 2011 27" iMac I have my 2 ssd's in the same space as the original 3.5" drive. I didn't tape them down or anything. They're just there, hanging. Obviously I removed the original drive for those 2 drives to fit there.
 
Dopeyman said:
I'm not sure about the 21.5" iMac, but in my 2011 27" iMac I have my 2 ssd's in the same space as the original 3.5" drive. I didn't tape them down or anything. They're just there, hanging. Obviously I removed the original drive for those 2 drives to fit there.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty much all set up to install the SSD&SSHD in stacked formation in the 3.5" HDD space. I bought a couple of extra brackets before seeing one I liked best but am not out too much non essential purchases. I wrecked a screwdriver trying to get the screws out of the old HD bracket. They are really tight after 8 years, so, will find a local with better quality tools this morning to get the job done. When "The Mac Man" installed the new SSD for me he left it hanging 'cause the desk top was not going to be moving around. This did not go over well with my type "A" personality even though he was correct. I will have both drives secured when done. So many ways to accomplish this and perhaps the easiest one would be to connect the 2nd drive by USB/SATA cable with only plugging into the USB to accomplish the end result and not a great deal of speed loss apparently.
I sincerely appreciate the comments.
 
ronharp said:
I'm pretty much all set up to install the SSD&SSHD in stacked formation in the 3.5" HDD space. I bought a couple of extra brackets before seeing one I liked best but am not out too much non essential purchases. I wrecked a screwdriver trying to get the screws out of the old HD bracket. They are really tight after 8 years, so, will find a local with better quality tools this morning to get the job done. When "The Mac Man" installed the new SSD for me he left it hanging 'cause the desk top was not going to be moving around. This did not go over well with my type "A" personality even though he was correct. I will have both drives secured when done. So many ways to accomplish this and perhaps the easiest one would be to connect the 2nd drive by USB/SATA cable with only plugging into the USB to accomplish the end result and not a great deal of speed loss apparently.
I sincerely appreciate the comments.
Click to expand...

Those were my thoughts exactly when I just left them hanging. My iMac isn't going anywhere. It's stationary on my desk.

Going the external USB route would be easier. But using the extra internal SATA connection would be much better in the long run. You'll be happier.
 
Dopeyman said:
Those were my thoughts exactly when I just left them hanging. My iMac isn't going anywhere. It's stationary on my desk.

Going the external USB route would be easier. But using the extra internal SATA connection would be much better in the long run. You'll be happier.
Click to expand...

That's the direction I'm heading. Just got back from having my bracket from old HDD dismantled. I stripped my screwdrivers trying to unscrew them. I hope I don't run into hard ones once the mac is opened.
 
I want to thank everyone for their advice. As it turned out, it seems I have one of those Imacs with no second data plug-in. SO, I left the SSHD in to have room for windows and, so far, placed the SSD as an external drive with the slow USB II connection. I'm sure I will have a better use for the SSD speed down the road sooner or later.

Thanks again
Ron
 
What a shame :(

My imac had only one sata so I pulled the optical and put the drive in there.

same with my macbook and macbook pro
 
elf69 said:
What a shame :(

My imac had only one sata so I pulled the optical and put the drive in there.

same with my macbook and macbook pro
Click to expand...

Talk about a senior moment. That was the only option I looked at until I ran across the stacked solution in the main drive bay. I completely forgot the optical drive bay solution. I even bought the adapter to install it there. I see another tear down after I get some yard work done around here.

TKS
 
lol

my imac has 240gb ssd and a 250gb hdd in optical same setup in my macbook pro.
bought caddy and the optical from the imac is now usb.

bought mac mini now so the drives from the imac going in the mini and the imac will get some other drives I got laying around and sold.
 
easy once the optical is out as just use the optical connector with a bay adaptor.

some larger screened imacs had a spare unused sata plug on motherboard.
 
elf69 said:
easy once the optical is out as just use the optical connector with a bay adaptor.

some larger screened imacs had a spare unused sata plug on motherboard.
Click to expand...

Correct about the unused sata plug on motherboard. Unfortunately, mine turned out did not have one(after tearing it down to make the discovery). After making my "purchases" of the data doubler to use the optical bay and the stack kit to use the original HDD bay and viewing a bunch of videos on how to use the area between the HDD bay and the optical bay just under the logic board, which is more technical than I want to tackle, I ran across a thread discussing using a USB connection with an SSD. Not quite as speedy but easiest with the least probability of error of installation. I'm going with this last solution for, at least a while, to see how it works out. So what I have left to do is install windows 10 on the 1TB SSHD and run with it. I still have the choice of setting the SSHD or the SSD as default startup disc. Not as fast startup as a straight SSD setup but everything else has sufficient speed for my personal use . . . . so far. The ironic thing for me is that after spending a somewhat small amount of money for these adapters to find out I already had on hand the cable to plug the SSD into the USB without spending a dime. Story of my life. lol
 
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ronharp said:
I want to thank everyone for their advice. As it turned out, it seems I have one of those Imacs with no second data plug-in. SO, I left the SSHD in to have room for windows and, so far, placed the SSD as an external drive with the slow USB II connection. I'm sure I will have a better use for the SSD speed down the road sooner or later.

Thanks again
Ron
Click to expand...

I think we all skipped the main question of which iMac you were planning on upgrading??
 
Dopeyman said:
I think we all skipped the main question of which iMac you were planning on upgrading??
Click to expand...

That should be in a couple of early posts. Mid 2010 27" Imac 11,3, 3.2 GHz i3 w/12 GB Memory. If there is anything else I should post just let me know
 
ronharp said:
That should be in a couple of early posts. Mid 2010 27" Imac 11,3, 3.2 GHz i3 w/12 GB Memory. If there is anything else I should post just let me know
Click to expand...
You sure the extra sata connection is not there? I have a mid 2010 27’ iMac (11,3 2.8 GHz i5 w/32GB memory) and just installed a SSD using the extra port. When I first looked for the port by tilting the logic board forward I saw nothing and was worried the port wasn’t on the board at all. I only found the port after I removed the logic board completely to replace the old thermal paste on the cpu and gpu as well as replacing the pram backup battery.. To be clear, I have a sata port for the main HDD, a sata port for the SSD and a sata port for the optical drive... All on the logic board
 
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BugeyeSTI said:
You sure the extra sata connection is not there? I have a mid 2010 27’ iMac (11,3 2.8 GHz i5 w/32GB memory) and just installed a SSD using the extra port. When I first looked for the port by tilting the logic board forward I saw nothing and was worried the port wasn’t on the board at all. I only found the port after I removed the logic board completely to replace the old thermal paste on the cpu and gpu as well as replacing the pram backup battery.. To be clear, I have a sata port for the main HDD, a sata port for the SSD and a sata port for the optical drive... All on the logic board
Click to expand...

Sorry to take so long to respond to your post. You may have hit the nail on the head. All of the install videos I watched it appeared the connection was near the edge. I've done some more research and see that, if it is there, it is further down the back of the board. My problem is currently a lack of guts. I haven't been able to bring myself to even think of removing all of those connections to take the board clear out, although most of the videos I did watch the logic board was not removed completely. The only part of take down and put back together for me was those danged magnets. I had one heck of a time getting those screws back in.
 
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