Upgrade Sata HD to SSD on a iMac 11.3 27" mid 2010

[K008]

hi all can this mother board take a nvme m.2 drive?

or what is the latest fastest SSD this good old iMac can take...without blowing her up.

thanks


27” Mid 2010 2.93Ghz i7 Quad core
16GB 1333 Mhz DDR3
Graphics card ATI Radeon HD 5750
I7 – 870 Lynfield processor 1024MB 256k cache
Operating system: High Sierra OS 10.13.6

Hard drive serial ATA 7200rpm 3GB /s

 

[r6mile]

hi all can this mother board take a nvme m.2 drive?

or what is the latest fastest SSD this good old iMac can take...without blowing her up.

thanks


27” Mid 2010 2.93Ghz i7 Quad core
16GB 1333 Mhz DDR3
Graphics card ATI Radeon HD 5750
I7 – 870 Lynfield processor 1024MB 256k cache
Operating system: High Sierra OS 10.13.6

Hard drive serial ATA 7200rpm 3GB /s

This is the same machine I have. Nope you cannot put a NVME drive. It will only take a SATA drive, up to 3GBps (the 2011 models can do 6GBps but the 2010 only 3 GBps). So basically your iMac will bottleneck any bog-standard SATA 3 drive you can buy on Amazon/etc, but it's still a great improvement over the stock HDD.

 

[K008]

thanks r6mile...but mac sales says it can take a SSD OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G. So I think it will take an SSD but which one would be good to know.

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac-27-inch/2010

regards

 

[mbosse]

thanks r6mile...but mac sales says it can take a SSD OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G. So I think it will take an SSD but which one would be good to know.

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac-27-inch/2010

regards

Of course: SATA-3 (6GBps) SSDs will simply be connected at SATA-2 (3GBps) speeds. So they run, but slower as limited by the iMac's SATA connection.

Magnus

 

[r6mile]

Exactly - as far as I know you can't really get 3GBps SSDs anymore anyway, so your best/only option is to get a standard SATA 3 SSD. ie the Samsung EVO 860, Crucial MX500, there is a lot of them.

 

[K008]

just made contact with OWC and they confirm what you said.....thanks

Robert J
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac-27-inch/2010

For this model of machine, if you are replacing the main 3.5" Hard drive with an SSD it is best to use a 3G SSD for the proper speeds. Otherwise incompatibility could occur with this model of imac slowing the speeds.
5:17:08 PM
Me
OK so there is a limit of 3GBps speeds
5:18:16 PM
Robert J
That is correct. This machine is limited to 3Gbps speeds in the 3.5" drive bay.

 

[r6mile]

just made contact with OWC and they confirm what you said.....thanks

Robert J
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac-27-inch/2010

For this model of machine, if you are replacing the main 3.5" Hard drive with an SSD it is best to use a 3G SSD for the proper speeds. Otherwise incompatibility could occur with this model of imac slowing the speeds.
5:17:08 PM
Me
OK so there is a limit of 3GBps speeds
5:18:16 PM
Robert J
That is correct. This machine is limited to 3Gbps speeds in the 3.5" drive bay.

What he is trying to say is that some 6Gb SSDs, when connected to a SATA II (3GBps) port sometimes actually end up at SATA I (1.5 GBps) speeds. This shouldn't happen with a reputable SSD (ie Samsung, Crucial) though.

If you don't already have the tools to open the iMac though, I would recommend buying the OWC kit that includes everything inc thermal sensor cable, at $75 including the drive I think it's excellent value. https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/KITIM09HE250/

PS: On this iMac, you can actually install an SSD in addition to the existing HDD, but it's a more difficult procedure (you have to move the logic board because the connector is on the other side) so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it unless you are very confident and/or really want to keep the HDD.

 

[K008]

PS: On this iMac, you can actually install an SSD in addition to the existing HDD, but it's a more difficult procedure (you have to move the logic board because the connector is on the other side) so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it unless you are very confident and/or really want to keep the HDD.

thanks...I don't mind doing this (I've seen the video) and keeping the old HD...But can I boot from the new SSD once the OS is installed? and does it make lots of difference with speed?
or is it not worth the effort and just add another (newer) SATA?

regards

 

[r6mile]

PS: On this iMac, you can actually install an SSD in addition to the existing HDD, but it's a more difficult procedure (you have to move the logic board because the connector is on the other side) so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it unless you are very confident and/or really want to keep the HDD.

thanks...I don't mind doing this (I've seen the video) and keeping the old HD...But can I boot from the new SSD once the OS is installed? and does it make lots of difference with speed?
or is it not worth the effort and just add another (newer) SATA?

regards

As long as you are booting from the SSD (which you should do in any case), the speed will be the same, ie an enormous improvement over your existing HDD. The advantage of keeping the old HDD as well is if you need extra internal storage, which entirely depends on your needs. The disadvantage is that having an HDD in there there will be louder (because HDDs are loud while SSDs are super quiet) and use more power.

 

[glenthompson]

I put a Samsung SSD in a 2011 iMac and the speed difference was amazing. You won’t see quite the speed improvement but it should be 2-3x faster.

 

[r6mile]

I was actually considering swapping my 2010 iMac for a 2011 one, just because of the higher SATA speeds and the Thunderbolt port which are a great improvement. But then I remembered the 2011 can't do Target Display Mode with non-TB Macs which is a dealbreaker as my iMac serves as external display for my work PC a lot of the time.

 

[K008]

So I have a Macbook Pro mid 2012 2.9Ghz i7 with a Samsung V-NAND Sata SSD...I was thinking if I used this in the iMac and then upgrade the Macbook......will the Macbook take nvme m.2 drive? if not what would it take?

regards

 

[mbosse]

So I have a Macbook Pro mid 2012 2.9Ghz i7 with a Samsung V-NAND Sata SSD...I was thinking if I used this in the iMac and then upgrade the Macbook......will the Macbook take nvme m.2 drive? if not what would it take?

regards

Both take the same 2.5" SATA SSDs.
[automerge]1594055942[/automerge]

[...] If you don't already have the tools to open the iMac though, I would recommend buying the OWC kit that includes everything inc thermal sensor cable, at $75 including the drive I think it's excellent value. https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/KITIM09HE250/ [...]

The OWC kit is technically not necessary: to avoid the fans-spin-at-full-speed issue you can simply use a second temperature sensor for the optical drive, which you can buy from Ebay for very little money (about 7€):

The Apple part number is 593-0493. The plug is identical to the thermal sensor cable of the original HDD and thus fits nicely on the logic board, so its simply plug&play.

So for the costs of a 240 GB OWC SSD grade kit you can actually upgrade to 480-500 GB SSD from a reputable maker (Crucial, SanDisk, Samsung).

Best,
Magnus

 

[r6mile]

Both take the same 2.5" SATA SSDs.
[automerge]1594055942[/automerge]

The OWC kit is technically not necessary: to avoid the fans-spin-at-full-speed issue you can simply use a second temperature sensor for the optical drive, which you can buy from Ebay for very little money (about 7€):

The Apple part number is 593-0493. The plug is identical to the thermal sensor cable of the original HDD and thus fits nicely on the logic board, so its simply plug&play.

So for the costs of a 240 GB OWC SSD grade kit you can actually upgrade to 480-500 GB SSD from a reputable maker (Crucial, SanDisk, Samsung).

Best,
Magnus

Yes, in Europe what you suggest is the cheapest way. But if you don't have the tools, in the US OWC currently are selling their all inclusive kit for a very good price, which if you add it all up is the cheapest way.

 

[K008]

can someone please advise the cable that connects the optical CD drive (iMac 11.3 mid 2010) is it an ATA cable?

see attached..pic

is there a converter that I can buy to change to allow me to add another SSD?

the old SATA hard drive (Pic 1019) had the correct connector but the CD drive doesn't (pic 1018.

 

[CooperBox]

Don't waste your money on that OWC temp sensor!
Just do what many have successfully done, myself included. Simply shorted out the HD connector with a home-made jumper wire as shown HERE. Or the idea of using a second temperature sensor for a few dollars as suggested above (Apple part number is 593-0493) is also recommended as an alternative work-around.
Also it's crazy to pay $80 or so on the OWC 240GB SSD when you can get a 500GB crucial or Samsung for the same price. It's a no brainer.
A single suction cup can be purchased from a hardware store (for screen removal) and adhesive velcro strips (to attach the SSD), both for less than $6.
I performed the upgrade satisfactorily and it absolutely transformed the iMac performance-wise!
Don't forget to clean out the fans whilst inside the Mac, and activate trim after fitting the SSD.

 

[K008]

I've already put a Samsung V-NAND 860 EVO sata 500GB in the old HD space now I'm wanting to add one to the Optical drive and thats causing some headaches as the cable isnt the same....does anyone know if there is an adapter to covert it?....see picture 1019

 

[mbosse]

I've already put a Samsung V-NAND 860 EVO sata 500GB in the old HD space now I'm wanting to add one to the Optical drive and thats causing some headaches as the cable isnt the same....does anyone know if there is an adapter to covert it?....see picture 1019

Simply use an ODD to 2.5” converter/adapter

 

[K008]

mbosse....thank you

 

[EugW]

Both take the same 2.5" SATA SSDs.
[automerge]1594055942[/automerge]

The OWC kit is technically not necessary: to avoid the fans-spin-at-full-speed issue you can simply use a second temperature sensor for the optical drive, which you can buy from Ebay for very little money (about 7€):

The Apple part number is 593-0493. The plug is identical to the thermal sensor cable of the original HDD and thus fits nicely on the logic board, so its simply plug&play.

So for the costs of a 240 GB OWC SSD grade kit you can actually upgrade to 480-500 GB SSD from a reputable maker (Crucial, SanDisk, Samsung).

Is that cable's end a cylinder? If so, how does it stick on?

I had configured my old 2010 for the kids, but after fiddling with it for a while I got really, really sick of the hard drive related delays. This morning I woke up determined to do the SSD swap and this is what I got from Amazon for CAD$10 plus tax (about 8€), same day shipping.

It too is an ODD temp sensor, but the part number is different. It is listed on Amazon as 922-9229 & 593-1149. I had seen 922-9229 mentioned elsewhere online for this purpose so I went ahead and ordered it.

The tiny little IC board is a sticker so I just stuck it to the drive bracket.

Thanks to you guys, YouTube, and people other forums who helped me with this. Saved a whole bunch of money vs the OWC cable, and no messy extra extension cables. The install went well, and it worked no problem the very first boot up.

Don't waste your money on that OWC temp sensor!
Just do what many have successfully done, myself included. Simply shorted out the HD connector with a home-made jumper wire as shown HERE. Or the idea of using a second temperature sensor for a few dollars as suggested above (Apple part number is 593-0493) is also recommended as an alternative work-around.

Yet another part number!

 

[mbosse]

Is that cable's end a cylinder? If so, how does it stick on?

I had configured my old 2010 for the kids, but after fiddling with it for a while I got really, really sick of the hard drive related delays. This morning I woke up determined to do the SSD swap and this is what I got from Amazon for CAD$10 plus tax (about 8€), same day shipping.

View attachment 1874140

View attachment 1874141

It too is an ODD temp sensor, but the part number is different. It is listed on Amazon as 922-9229 & 593-1149. I had seen 922-9229 mentioned elsewhere online for this purpose so I went ahead and ordered it.

The tiny little IC board is a sticker so I just stuck it to the drive bracket.

View attachment 1874146

Thanks to you guys, YouTube, and people other forums who helped me with this. Saved a whole bunch of money vs the OWC cable, and no messy extra extension cables. The install went well, and it worked no problem the very first boot up.

View attachment 1874149



Yet another part number!

Good to know! You secure the ‚round‘ (it’s actually flat on one side) temperature sensor with the bracket to the right in my image.