Imac 27" Mid 2011 release SSD advice

Captain Chaos

Captain Chaos

Captain Chaos

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Hi all,

Looking at slapping an SSD in my new IMAC (yes i know rumours of the new one are ripe but they have been for along time and needed an imac now lol). Im also wanting to replace the stock 1tb mechanical drive whilst im in there.

Ive owned a 24 and a 27 imac previously and installed higher capacity drives in both so im confident I can tear it down ok.

Looking for a 256gb / 128gb SSD drive. Any ideas which is the best drive at the mo to go for? Same for a 2tb mechanical hdd.

Ive read about fan issues is this true? How do you get round it.

Also what cables do I need to replace both?

Sorry for all the questions. Your help is appreciated guys!
 
Later iMacs have custom HDDs with temperature sensors in them. Replacing it with a standard drive will run the fans at 100% permanently. Have a look at MacRumors.com, this topic will have been done to death over there.

The best option would have been to buy the iMac with the correct configuration from Apple IMO.
 
Yeah I hear ya!

Ordered my mac i7 2600, 2gb graphics and forgot to upgrade the hdd. When I rang it had already gone past the point of no return so to speak.
 
Gone over the 14days now to be honest. Im looking for an SSD now anyways and there is no way id pay the upgrade price they want! I will just have to do some digging online to see if its dooooable!
 
Yeah, the units read the temperature from the drives so if the drive doesn't offer up the info the iMac assumes hot and deafens you with the fans. Properly annoying.

I put an SSD into my 2011 - you can read about that here. I did it by replacing the DVD drive as I never use it - fitting the one to the second motherboard port is possible but a big pain in the ass from what I've read...So I went the easy route.

Down sides? Well, SATA-III SSD in the mid-2011 DVD port only runs at SATA-II speeds. It is vaguely noticeable - the SATA-III SSD in my MBP running at SATA-III speeds is notably quicker.

For example (currently copying a 50Gb VM to my SSD in MBP so writes should be a bit higher):

SATA-III in MBP

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....sorry can't get on to my iMac from here :mad: but it averages about 250-300Mbps reads and about 170-200 for reads.
 
Oh an older one I striped down which had white plastic had these temp sensors stuck ontop of the drives with adhesive and you could pull them off and attach them to an ssd if you wish.
 
I chucked a 256gb in my mid 2010 iMac without probs, by simply shorting the temp sensor connector as it was separate from the sata connector.

However, the 2011 iMacs have the temp sensor and sata block as one, therefore preventing you from shorting it... At least that is what I hear. So a lot trickier in the newer iMacs.
 
I did it to my Mid 2011 iMac - See http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18414727&highlight=username_Phate

Or - TLDR - I followed this guide - http://www.btobey.com/learn/imac-ssd-install.php

Quite honestly anyone with enough patience can do it. Just take your time with it, the first time I took it apart I did it in 3 hours, but after discovering I had the wrong cable I had to order another from america, wait 2 weeks then I ripped it apart again and had it assembled and running within an hour :p
 
I have replaced an Imac HDD in three 2009 models but that was when you had to remove the aluminium frame as well.

I will give it a go and hope for the best. Coming from my beast of a PC rig I just have to get it as fast as is doable.
 
Well I have added an SSD into my 2011 mid iMac.

Went for a Samsung 830 256gb in the end as the reviews for the drive looked the most promising for reliability (Didn't fancy jumping in and out of the imac carcass every time there was Firmware update).

Process start to finish took me just under an hour (next time I think I could do it in around half that).

To be honest the guides make it look harder than it is. Handfull of screws and connectors to remove, slightly lift up the logic board so you can plug in your sata cable (i used a correct one ordered from the states) and your pretty much done.

Just cloning the drive at the mo and will post up some speed test results once completed.

Thanks for those that chimed in to help me on this:D
 
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