iMac's and after market SSD's

cheef · 21 Oct 2011 at 10:03

It's the first model of 27", so late 2009.

Donk · 28 Oct 2011 at 10:30

cheef said:
Just to close this off, I performed the upgrade last night by taking the glass off and panel out as suggested by EVH.

Pretty painless. Hardest part is shifting dust from the glass and also the panel before putting it back together.

Thinking about putting an SSD in mine - just holding off on buying one. Which SSD did you go for and any tips to pass on?

I've looked at the guide on www.ifixit.com.

Donk · 3 Dec 2011 at 12:03

Finally decided to do it, just ordered an SSD from OcUK and I have two suction cups, so all set to install start of next week.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 4 Dec 2011 at 23:35

Im getting iMac with everything on it. Including pegasus drive. Its gonna be a almost 4k machine but it should scream.

Feek · 5 Dec 2011 at 09:15

Johnny|lucidcomposure said:
Im getting iMac with everything on it. Including pegasus drive. Its gonna be a almost 4k machine but it should scream.

I bought the top spec iMac, fully loaded and threw 16Gb RAM in it. It does indeed scream along.

dav3evans · 5 Dec 2011 at 11:09

Johnny|lucidcomposure said:
Im getting iMac with everything on it. Including pegasus drive. Its gonna be a almost 4k machine but it should scream.

I wouldn't bother getting the RAM from Apple mate, it's a rip off. You can get Kingston memory chips for about £40 a piece and they have a lifetime warranty on them.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 5 Dec 2011 at 11:46

Do you have a link to this memory as to get 16gig in an iMac it seems you have to only go via apple. I cant find mac compatible higher volume ram chips

MacRS4 · 5 Dec 2011 at 12:27

Johnny|lucidcomposure said:
Do you have a link to this memory as to get 16gig in an iMac it seems you have to only go via apple. I cant find mac compatible higher volume ram chips

Nah - 16Gb in mine is from Crucial. As will be the 32Gb currently on it's way. Have 16Gb in my MBP 17" now too.

dav3evans · 5 Dec 2011 at 12:44

You can get the 4GB chips from here http://www.jigsaw24.com/product-details/m553ata/kingston-4gb-1333mhz-ddr3-sdram-memory-module

Ofc you'll need to buy 4 and scrap the apple chips if you wanna go 16GB...but it'll still be so much cheaper.

I assume this is ok as you don't sell Apple products? If it's not apologies.. just let me know.
Ta.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 5 Dec 2011 at 13:06

Oh right wow. £160 or £480 for Apple prices.

bit of a no brainer isn't it. Wonder why the charge so much when they make the procedure so easy to do.

dav3evans · 5 Dec 2011 at 15:42

Because they can! ^_^

JediFragger · 5 Dec 2011 at 19:07

dav3evans said:
You can get the 4GB chips from here http://www.jigsaw24.com/product-details/m553ata/kingston-4gb-1333mhz-ddr3-sdram-memory-module

Ofc you'll need to buy 4 and scrap the apple chips if you wanna go 16GB...but it'll still be so much cheaper.

I assume this is ok as you don't sell Apple products? If it's not apologies.. just let me know.
Ta.

If it helps I've seen the same sticks for £22.99 delivered. I'll be gettings some for my new iMac (when I get the SSD installed

)

Donk · 31 Dec 2011 at 17:07

And relax ......

Finally got round to opening up my iMac and installing my 256GB SSD. Familiar with building PCs but opening up an iMac .... no. But all done, installed and working a treat. Majorly impressed with it, so fast and silent. Superb!

Phil Gr · 31 Dec 2011 at 17:43

Looking to do this soon to my 2009 iMac, where did you get the caddy to replace the superdrive ?

Phil G

Donk · 31 Dec 2011 at 18:13

I bought the OcUK Professional 2.5" to 3.5" SSD Adaptor Plate which I thought might work but didn't :roll eyes: . So after a rummage through the wife's craft supplies I found some double sided pads to mount it instead. Works fine.

Oh and a copy of HDD Fan Control downloaded to control the iMac fan.

mark66 · 31 Dec 2011 at 18:23

Donk said:
Finally got round to opening up my iMac and installing my 256GB SSD. Familiar with building PCs but opening up an iMac .... no. But all done, installed and working a treat. Majorly impressed with it, so fast and silent. Superb!

Hi, tempted to do this to my 2008 24" iMac. Do you have any good links for guides?

Does the SSD fit in a spare space or does it replace the existing HDD?

Cheers

Donk · 31 Dec 2011 at 18:28

I used the one on ifixit.com - http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac-Intel-27-Inch-Hard-Drive-Replacement/1634/1 for my machine.

I took out the HDD and so it sat in that space nicely.

QwaF · 31 Dec 2011 at 18:49

Does anyone know if you can take your iMac to Apple after purchase and get them to fit one of their SSDs?

I'd do it myself, but I don't think I can be bothered putting up with any potential headaches if I do have to ever take it in for service as the first thing they ask you to do is restore it to it's factory condition in regards to any hardware upgrades you've done yourself.

It's a 2011 27" i7 with the 6970m 2GB (12GB RAM). I bought it in august and I still have the free education Apple care (+ free uplift) and I don't really want to void that. It's proved far too useful on my Macbook Pro.

Donk · 31 Dec 2011 at 23:03

Can't see why they wouldn't.

Phil Gr · 13 Jan 2012 at 17:08

Well my planned iMac upgrade was forced upon me today, my hard drive has failed, so i have ordered a SSD drive from OC today - project for the weekend !