Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt 3 iMac 27" late 2013

[YYgomez]

Hi,
I have an iMac 27" Late 2013, I want to connect an external SSD (fastest possible connection).
Almost all the affordable options out there are compatible with TB3.
Apple sells this adapter: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207266
For the data connection should work, but the problem is how to supply power to the external SSD, since the TB1 does not supply any power.
Any ideas ?
Thanks in advance!

 

[BeatCrazy]

You can’t. You’ll need a dock in between. Do you already have a particular SSD you want to use?

 

[YYgomez]

You can’t. You’ll need a dock in between. Do you already have a particular SSD you want to use?

Thanks for the answer, I know I can't directly with the Apple adaptor, that's why I'm looking for a workaround.
I would love to use this:
https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-Port...nics&sprefix=samsung+T,electronics,187&sr=1-1

Or this:

SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable External SSD - Up to 550MB/s - USB-C, USB 3.1 - SDSSDE60-1T00-G25

The ruggedized SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD delivers high-speed transfers with up to 550MB/s read speeds. This makes it perfect for saving and editing hi-res photos and videos. With an IP55 rating, it also stands up to rain, splashes, spills and dust. (1) | 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes; 1TB=1,000,00...

www.amazon.com

 

[BeatCrazy]

Thanks for the answer, I know I can't directly with the Apple adaptor, that's why I'm looking for a workaround.
I would love to use this:
https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-Portable-SSD-1TB-MU-PC1T0R/dp/B0874YDQ9K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CIMD0KPAZ41J&dchild=1&keywords=samsung+t7&qid=1606950581&s=electronics&sprefix=samsung+T,electronics,187&sr=1-1

Or this:

SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable External SSD - Up to 550MB/s - USB-C, USB 3.1 - SDSSDE60-1T00-G25

The ruggedized SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD delivers high-speed transfers with up to 550MB/s read speeds. This makes it perfect for saving and editing hi-res photos and videos. With an IP55 rating, it also stands up to rain, splashes, spills and dust. (1) | 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes; 1TB=1,000,00...

www.amazon.com

That particular drive comes with a USB-A connector. So you may want to look for a used Thunderbolt 2 dock from CalDigit to connect it to.

 

[justashooter]

Neither of those are Thunderbolt, they are USB-C. They will both work with your computer as USB 3 at about 400MB/s.The limitation being the 2013 iMac is first generation USB3.

If you want more speed you need thunderbolt. Below is my setup and when I received the OWC ThunderBay 4 Mini Raid - https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/thunderbay-4-mini/thunderbolt-2 - which is a thunderbolt 2 device and backwards compatible to thunderbolt 1. I set it up as a striped RAID. It is connected to a 2012 MacBook Pro that has thunderbolt 1, just like your iMac. I tested various configurations and below is the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test write and read results in MB/s.

2 Crucial SSD MX500 2.5” drives in 4 bay Enclosures (2x500gb) 1TB w/677 r/733 Thunderbolt 1 on 2012 MBP 13
3 Crucial SSD MX500 2.5” drives in 4 bay Enclosures (3x500gb) 1.5TB w/770 r/790 Thunderbolt 1 on 2012 MBP 13
4 Crucial SSD MX500 2.5” drives in 4 bay Enclosures (4x500gb) 2.0TB w/755 r/810 Thunderbolt 1 on 2012 MBP 13

I was upgrading a friends 2015 MBP 13, it has thunderbolt 2, so I ran my RAID on it:
4 Crucial SSD MX500 2.5” drives in 4 bay Enclosures (4x500gb) 2.0TB w/984 r/1181 Thunderbolt 2 on 2015 MBP 13

 

[honestone33]

I recently purchased this Samsung 1 TB T7 SSD:

Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 1TB (Gray) | Samsung US

www.samsung.com

It comes with 2 cables: one is a USB Type C-to-C, and the other is a USB Type C-to-A. When I connect it to one of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on my late 2018 Mac Mini, the application Blackmagic Disk Speed Test shows a Read Speed of about 920 MB/S, and a Write Speed around 840 MB/S. Of course with the other cable connected to one of the USB 3.1 ports, speeds are about 1/2 of those for Read, and about 440 MB/S for Writes.

 

[YYgomez]

Neither of those are Thunderbolt, they are USB-C. They will both work with your computer as USB 3 at about 400MB/s.The limitation being the 2013 iMac is first generation USB3.

If you want more speed you need thunderbolt. Below is my setup and when I received the OWC ThunderBay 4 Mini Raid - https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/thunderbay-4-mini/thunderbolt-2 - which is a thunderbolt 2 device and backwards compatible to thunderbolt 1. I set it up as a striped RAID. It is connected to a 2012 MacBook Pro that has thunderbolt 1, just like your iMac. I tested various configurations and below is the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test write and read results in MB/s.

2 Crucial SSD MX500 2.5” drives in 4 bay Enclosures (2x500gb) 1TB w/677 r/733 Thunderbolt 1 on 2012 MBP 13
3 Crucial SSD MX500 2.5” drives in 4 bay Enclosures (3x500gb) 1.5TB w/770 r/790 Thunderbolt 1 on 2012 MBP 13
4 Crucial SSD MX500 2.5” drives in 4 bay Enclosures (4x500gb) 2.0TB w/755 r/810 Thunderbolt 1 on 2012 MBP 13

I was upgrading a friends 2015 MBP 13, it has thunderbolt 2, so I ran my RAID on it:
4 Crucial SSD MX500 2.5” drives in 4 bay Enclosures (4x500gb) 2.0TB w/984 r/1181 Thunderbolt 2 on 2015 MBP 13

Thank You, that setup looks amazing!

 

[YYgomez]

I recently purchased this Samsung 1 TB T7 SSD:

Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 1TB (Gray) | Samsung US

www.samsung.com

It comes with 2 cables: one is a USB Type C-to-C, and the other is a USB Type C-to-A. When I connect it to one of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on my late 2018 Mac Mini, the application Blackmagic Disk Speed Test shows a Read Speed of about 920 MB/S, and a Write Speed around 840 MB/S. Of course with the other cable connected to one of the USB 3.1 ports, speeds are about 1/2 of those for Read, and about 440 MB/S for Writes.

Thanks!

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I recently purchased this Samsung 1 TB T7 SSD"

That's what you should use, instead of thunderbolt.
The t7 is a USB3.1 gen2 drive.

BUT... be aware that it's only going to connect at "USB3 speeds" with a 2013 iMac that has USB3.

That should give you read speeds of around 420-430MBps, which is "the max" for a USB3 SSD. If you get faster speeds, let us know!

 

[honestone33]

OP wrote:
"I recently purchased this Samsung 1 TB T7 SSD"

That's what you should use, instead of thunderbolt.
The t7 is a USB3.1 gen2 drive.

BUT... be aware that it's only going to connect at "USB3 speeds" with a 2013 iMac that has USB3.

That should give you read speeds of around 420-430MBps, which is "the max" for a USB3 SSD. If you get faster speeds, let us know!

Very true! Given that I plan on purchasing an M1 MBA, and later on an M1 Mac Mini, that drive will satisfy my "I have the need, the need for speed" passion!

 

[jmaltais85]

This thread is a little dated, but its original question seems to never have been fully answered and I am in a similar situation. I have a Late 2013 21.5" iMac currently running the stock 1TB HDD. This drive is showing its age speed wise and I would like to upgrade to a SSD. I am aware of the procedure for opening the machine and replacing the stock HDD with a new SSD, but I'm looking for a more plug and play solution. I'm hoping to utilize the Thunderbolt bus with a Thunderbolt 3 adapter to a powered thunderbolt 3 hub (preferably USB3 powered if that unicorn exists) and an external M.2 enclosure. Now since I am considering this it should go with out saying I'm on a tight budget and am looking for the best cost/speed option. The hub and enclosure are where I'm stuck. I see a lot of USB-C stuff but very little Thunderbolt and even fewer powered thunderbolt hubs. Also, kind of a side question, will I be able to off load the OS onto this external setup for better performance??

 

[Amethyst1]

This drive is showing its age speed wise and I would like to upgrade to a SSD. I am aware of the procedure for opening the machine and replacing the stock HDD with a new SSD, but I'm looking for a more plug and play solution.

An external USB 3.x SSD, such as the Samsung T5 or T7, is plug-and-play, bootable (I'm booting off a T5), and, since you're on a tight budget, much cheaper than a Thunderbolt solution, though not as fast and you'll forego TRIM support (I think so). But for "normal" usage, it's perfectly fine and fast enough, certainly much faster than the stock HDD.

Also, kind of a side question, will I be able to off load the OS onto this external setup for better performance??

Sure thing.

 

[jmaltais85]

An external USB 3.x SSD, such as the Samsung T5 or T7, is plug-and-play, bootable (I'm booting off a T5), and, since you're on a tight budget, much cheaper than a Thunderbolt solution, though not as fast and you'll forego TRIM support (I think so). But for "normal" usage, it's perfectly fine and fast enough, certainly much faster than the stock HDD.


Sure thing.

Thank you for the advice. Just ordered a T7. Looking forward to a little improvement in drive speed.

 

[justashooter]

jmaltais85 gives good advice. You will see a marketed increase in speed. I installed a standard Crucial SSD in my 2012 MBP and the difference in use was impressive.

Considering that the thunderbolt on that machine is 1250mbs and the USB3 is 625mbs, you will not gain much in connecting via thunderbolt. M2 drives can run in the 3000mbs area, so you are spending money for speeds you can not attain on a 2013 machine.

 

[Amethyst1]

Considering that the thunderbolt on that machine is 1250mbs and the USB3 is 625mbs, you will not gain much in connecting via thunderbolt

Agreed. The actual max throughput is more like ≈1000 MB/s for Thunderbolt 1 and ≈450-500 MB/s for USB 3.0.