Upgrade to SSD advice.

[stangale]

I have a Mid-2010 27" iMac and would like to upgrade to an SSD for better speed and life expectancy.
Is a 2.5 or 3.5 drive needed?
Any advice on the best offerings?
Or links to where to best look this up?
Thank you!

 

[stangale]

Please point me to any threads regarding upgrading to an SSD.
(Is this the right forum for this question?)

 

[bradonf333]

Please point me to any threads regarding upgrading to an SSD.
(Is this the right forum for this question?)

OWC probably has the best tutorials and equipment that you'd need. Here's a tutorial right here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Li_bPDAow

 

[Silencio]

You would need to get the appropriate cable and mounting bracket kit for your iMac, as well as a 2.5" SSD to install in there.

http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/?N...ity|1&Ne=5000&N=4294967214+6922&Ntt=iMac+2010

You will want to watch OWC's instructional videos to see if you're comfortable with the entire process of disassembling your iMac.

 

[andy9l]

OWC probably has the best tutorials and equipment that you'd need. Here's a tutorial right here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Li_bPDAow

That video is outdated and was made before they made the SMC fix. That's how I added an SSD to my 2010 iMac a few years ago.

Updated video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3BRqLKerXk

Basically, Apple shoved in a nice proprietary HDD thermal sensor in the 2009/2010 models. So if you simply take out your existing HDD and swap it for any other drive, your iMac fans will spin at 100% constantly (from boot to shut down).

OWC have since released this fix: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD09/

This will allow you to replace the existing drive with a 3.5" HDD or an SSD of your choice, whilst allowing your iMac to automatically regulate its fans/temperatures. The bracket is 3.5", so you'll need an adapter to get a 2.5" SSD to sit in it.

In essence, you need the following (check with OWC online chat before buying):

• http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIMACHDD09/
• http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/ADPTADRV/ (not 100% sure this will work)
• A Mercury Electra 3G SSD of your choice - 120GB, 240GB, 480GB

You could get an Electra 6G, but you'll gain no benefit. Your iMac is SATA II, so the negotiated speed will be capped at 3Gb/s regardless of the drive capabilities.

Edit: I'd also add - if you've never been inside an iMac before, it's not for the faint-hearted. It's very cramped, it's very delicate, and it's very fiddly.

 

[stangale]

Thanks - and one other thing....

Thanks so much for this info!
Seems like http://eshop.macsales.com is the only place for such things.(?)

Related but completely different question:

If an iMac comes with two 2Gb sticks of RAM (4Gb) and there's 2 empty slots,
can you buy two 4Gb and therefore have 12Gbs of RAM?

 

[RageDaddy]

Just buy a 512GB SSD or 256GB, Crucial MX100 and swap it to HDD. Then use Macs fan control to set fan auto. If you need more space, buy a dock and use the HDD with that.

No need for bracket, i have used cable tie's and even ducktape.

http://www.crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control

 

[andy9l]

Thanks so much for this info!

Seems like http://eshop.macsales.com is the only place for such things.(?)



Related but completely different question:



If an iMac comes with two 2Gb sticks of RAM (4Gb) and there's 2 empty slots,

can you buy two 4Gb and therefore have 12Gbs of RAM?

Well you can buy the actual SSD from anywhere, and the tools are just tools. You will need to buy that temperature cable from OWC, though.

I'd strongly advise the temperature cable over a software hack for this. Up to you, though.

People recommend OWC because they have a fantastic reputation for Mac parts and, in my experience, great online support.

And yes, you can buy 2x4GB sticks to make 12GB RAM.