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Which SSD for iMac?

S

spb3

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 30, 2012
134
0
I am planning to upgrade my HD to SSD. I am willing to spend around $200+/- on the drive. I am looking for a 2TB drive.

1) Which brands/models do you recommend? Originally I was looking at Sandisk but realized there is a lot of other options.

2) What do I need for hardware? I've seen videos online where people take their iMac apart and realize they do not have the correct bracket, etc. Want to avoid that.


Specs: 21.5in, Late 2009, 3.06GHz, iMac10,1
Application: I mostly do photo editing.
 
Why do you like Samsung and Crucial? I can go a bit over $200, just need to understand the benefits.
 
If you swap out your old HDD for an SSD you will need a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter anyway, as SSD's are all in 2.5" size, as for which brand to use, Crucial were always recommended for compatibility, though in theory it doesn't matter really. Samsung are known for their speeds and reliability, especially the 3d NAND versions, but I have also used many 'no brand' SSD drives in various iMacs and macbooks with good results and longevity.

Your old 2009 model is only SATA 2 anyway, so the max read and writes even on the fastest SSD drives will be slowed down to around the 400 Mbps mark.
 
fearlessfred said:
Your old 2009 model is only SATA 2 anyway, so the max read and writes even on the fastest SSD drives will be slowed down to around the 400 Mbps mark.
Click to expand...
Or to put it another way, don’t bother with the premium expensive fastest SSDs because the old SATA Interface won’t allow you to benefit from them so waste of money. SATA 3 drives will work though they are compatible, they just drop down to SATA 2 speeds.
 
$200 for 2TB? No but under $250 is not a problem. Speed is not an issue since your bus is SATA II — all SSDs are faster.

It really doesn’t matter what brand as long as you get a current one with a 3D nand and a 5 year warranty. WD Blue 3D @ $229 or Sandisk Ultra 3D @ $240 (same Fujitsu drive), Samsung 860 EVO @ $287, Crucial MX500 @ $230 ... you won’t go wrong. It’s ok to buy on price.
https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX50...+blue+3D+2TB&qid=1562284034&s=gateway&sr=8-13
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-NAND-2T...=B073SBRHH6&psc=1&refRID=C1NG7MB7A5CNPZZS68KC

There are a few to avoid. The Micron 1100 is the same as the less than reliable, obsolete Crucial MX300 but has no warranty at all—OEMs buy them for systems integration and the price is low enough to them so that, if one goes bad, they’re expected to eat it. No reason it should be you. Since the same $230 gets you the MX500, no reason at all to buy one.

Thanks to the discontinued MX300 and its 3 year warranty, I’ve had a few opportunities to use Crucial warranty service. The warranty center is in Meridian, ID and it’s pretty painless. You need to save your box or the claim will be denied. The last couple I received in return were the current MX500 so that’s good.

I’m not a big fan of the new 4D 860 QVO. It has a lower endurance rating, not an issue for your use but the warranty is only 3 years and @ $228, spend the extra buck or two for the Crucial or WD.

The WD warranty center is in California and, like Crucial, it’s painless – save your box.
 
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Do I need a temperature sensor?

This iFixit kit includes SSD Temperature Sensor and this guide mentions the install of it.
 
fearlessfred said:
If you swap out your old HDD for an SSD you will need a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter anyway, as SSD's are all in 2.5" size, as for which brand to use, Crucial were always recommended for compatibility, though in theory it doesn't matter really. Samsung are known for their speeds and reliability, especially the 3d NAND versions, but I have also used many 'no brand' SSD drives in various iMacs and macbooks with good results and longevity.

Your old 2009 model is only SATA 2 anyway, so the max read and writes even on the fastest SSD drives will be slowed down to around the 400 Mbps mark.
Click to expand...

No, SATA 2 will yield at best around 250 MBps.

To the thread starter, you should replace that very old iMac instead.
 
I did see that kit from OWC. Just never heard of Mercury Electra. And I already ordered Crucial MX500.

Still do not know: do I NEED to buy temperature sensor? (link)
 
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spb3 said:
I did see that kit from OWC. Just never heard of Mercury Electra. And I already ordered Crucial MX500.

Still do not know: do I NEED to buy temperature sensor? (link)
Click to expand...
Deleted
 
Last edited:
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