Install SSD in 2008 iMac

ca9phoenix · 27 Feb 2012 at 11:56

Here's my situation....

I installed a 1Tb drive in my iMac recently as i was constantly filling the 320 that came with it.... easy enough job once i had the correct tools (torx screwdriver and the suction cup off my sat-nav)

I can't really afford to replace the iMac and it does feel somewhat sluggish compared with some of the more modern systems.

I was using a 500gb desktop hdd (firewire 800) as a time machine but i have now split this into a 300gb time machine and the 200gb spare now houses my iTunes library and me iPhoto library.

i have a 500gb NAS that all my movies go onto

All in all i have managed to get the HDD usage on my iMac down to 23gb

I've moved my download folder onto the external drive also.

So here is my plan....

Buy a 120GB SSD and install it into the iMac

Buy a new NAS enclosure that will share my iTunes library and install the 1Tb drive in that

copy iTunes library to NAS

Buy an iPad 3 (or whatever it will be called) (this will happen anyway as i've been sitting on the cash and waiting for about 4 months)

What i want as an end result.....

Faster iMac which is used for internet surfing some basic gaming (steam)

Access to my tunes library by iPad/iPhone/iMac (all independent of each other)

Torrent downloads controlled by NAS.

Products picked out so far are...

OCZ Vertex 3 120GB - from advice now Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB
QNAP Turbo NAS TS-119P+

Total cost just over £300

Anyone have a better idea or experience with iTunes library on a NAS please advise.

Ca9

stuman · 27 Feb 2012 at 13:00

i'm looking to do something similar any info would be useful.

Marky · 27 Feb 2012 at 14:17

I moved my iTunes library to my NAS a few months ago but moved it back to my computer after about a week or so because everytime you press play or skip to a new track there is about a second delay and when you play music the first time for a while it takes about 5 seconds before it plays. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it was enough to annoy me and just have my music local

But if you still want to go ahead and do that, it's fairly easy to do. I done a quick google search on your QNAP Turbo NAS TS-119P+ and it looks like it supports "iTunes Server" which is what you will probably use

lamboman · 27 Feb 2012 at 14:36

For a single system, there is little point in using iTunes Server. It'll be more hassle than simply storing everything the NAS and pointing iTunes that way. Same thing applies if you have two systems but only use one of them at a time for iTunes; stick the Library files on the NAS and both will see it as their own library.

As for the SSD, I'd probably avoid the Vertex 3 if I were you. Generally the m4 has "better" read performance than the Vertex 3, and doesn't have the reliability issues. While you probably won't run into any issues at all if you buy the V3, it's up to you whether you think that it is worth the risk.

ca9phoenix · 27 Feb 2012 at 14:41

Thanks for the advice regarding the SSD.... i will have the facility to flash any firmware before i put it in the iMac but i'll have a look at the M4

My aim for the NAS is for the 4 apple devices i have to be able to access the music/Movies at home.

at the moment i can share my music etc only when my iMac is on, although i can remote turn it on and access iTunes then remote put it to sleep.

ca9phoenix · 27 Feb 2012 at 14:46

i see the M4 has some good reviews but does need a firmware update, i'll have to raid my next door neighbours house to ''borrow'' his win 7 system.

lamboman · 27 Feb 2012 at 14:54

The m4 can be flashed via OS X if anything comes out, and I think the same applies with the Vertex (though don't quote me on that). There were numerous issues with the Sandforce SF-2281 controller when the drives first came out. While many of the problems have been fixed, quite a lot of people are still experiencing issues, and it might be worth staying away from them still. I'd do a Google just to read on the issues.

EDIT: Just noticed your post, 0009 is the latest firmware, and most of the newer drives should come with this.

ca9phoenix · 27 Feb 2012 at 14:58

reading into it the 120gb drives were affected but the 128 ones appear ok.

this could be simplifying too much.

it's only a few £££ more expensive

lamboman · 27 Feb 2012 at 15:12

It's Sandforce drives in general. Not saying they are bad drives, because if you don't have any problems they are fine. Just be wary

And yep, whether it be the m4 or the Vertex, or any other drive similar to the Vertex (same NAND, controller, etc), they're all around the same price. Best to go with the drive that offers the most support for the OS.

ca9phoenix · 27 Feb 2012 at 15:27

After a bit more research it appears the M4 has a built in utility that means i don't have to hack TRIM to work on my mac so it's a no brainer really.

That decided what about the NAS?

is it worth it for the iTunes server or should i leave my library on my desktop HDD and just continue to remote turn on and off my iMac to access the library when on wifi?

this saves me filling my iPad with movies etc unless i am going away.

lamboman · 27 Feb 2012 at 16:44

ca9phoenix said:
After a bit more research it appears the M4 has a built in utility that means i don't have to hack TRIM to work on my mac so it's a no brainer really.

That decided what about the NAS?

is it worth it for the iTunes server or should i leave my library on my desktop HDD and just continue to remote turn on and off my iMac to access the library when on wifi?

this saves me filling my iPad with movies etc unless i am going away.

All of the drives have built-in garbage collection - TRIM isn't a must on any of the drives out there now.

As for the NAS, to be honest, it's pretty much your only choice. Installing two drives into the iMac is an absolute PITA, so an SSD is a no-brainer given the opportunity!

ca9phoenix · 27 Feb 2012 at 17:52

Next thing, i have managed to get my data down to 24gb on my mac, with all the external storage i have (circa 2TB) could i get away with a smaller drive? save some cash or stick with a 128

ca9phoenix · 27 Feb 2012 at 17:55

forget this the offer is now off the table

lamboman · 27 Feb 2012 at 19:11

The general rule I follow is 64GB minimum if the drive is literally being used for boot, and nothing else, and 128GB if it's going to be a work system that won't require big storage (like my MBP will be next week).

How is your iMac being connected? Wi-Fi or Ethernet? If you're just streaming media but you don't deal with huge files for work, you will be absolutely fine storing all your data on the NAS, and it will feel just as fast as the data being stored locally (speaking from experience).

Marky · 27 Feb 2012 at 20:07

ca9phoenix said:
i see the M4 has some good reviews but does need a firmware update, i'll have to raid my next door neighbours house to ''borrow'' his win 7 system.

I recently bought a 256GB M4 SSD for my Macbook Pro and updated the firmware you speak of no problem! You download an .iso file and burn a disc and you're good to go

I definitely recommend the SSD though

ca9phoenix · 4 Mar 2012 at 16:57

Right SSD purchased, 128GB M4

I will be collecting it tomorrow morning from OCUK then attempting the install.

Should be easy enough after i did put the current drive in.

I may even do a little upgrade log!

ca9phoenix · 5 Mar 2012 at 10:04

well the install went well.

Boot time down from 70 seconds to 35 so exactly twice as fast.

programs like office 2011 now load so much faster.

i don'y know why i haven't done it sooner!

iamtheoneneo · 5 Mar 2012 at 10:20

I stuck an vertex 2 in a 06 macbook pro with no problems, works fine, quicker than a hdd and havent done a firmware update yet.

btw issues around TRIM etc are non-existant in osx , i believe tomshardware did a big feature on this recently thats worth a look to dispell any of the crazy myths out there.

jimbob2405 · 12 Jun 2012 at 23:45

Sorry to drag this thread back up, but I'm looking to do exactly the same thing as ca9phoenix to my iMac. I.e. install an SSD to use as my main drive.

I saw further down the thread that you managed to get it installed and running. Could you provide me with any info on how to actually install the ssd in the iMac. As I'm confident with doing this sort of thing on a pc but not so confident with a mac! Any help would be great. I've seen many guides around online but none to install an ssd in a 2008 iMac.

I did try to contact ca9phoenix directly but there is either no option to send a PM or I'm an idiot!

Cheers guys, any help would be wonderful.

Jim

ca9phoenix said:
Here's my situation....

I installed a 1Tb drive in my iMac recently as i was constantly filling the 320 that came with it.... easy enough job once i had the correct tools (torx screwdriver and the suction cup off my sat-nav)

I can't really afford to replace the iMac and it does feel somewhat sluggish compared with some of the more modern systems.

I was using a 500gb desktop hdd (firewire 800) as a time machine but i have now split this into a 300gb time machine and the 200gb spare now houses my iTunes library and me iPhoto library.

i have a 500gb NAS that all my movies go onto

All in all i have managed to get the HDD usage on my iMac down to 23gb

I've moved my download folder onto the external drive also.

So here is my plan....

Buy a 120GB SSD and install it into the iMac

Buy a new NAS enclosure that will share my iTunes library and install the 1Tb drive in that

copy iTunes library to NAS

Buy an iPad 3 (or whatever it will be called) (this will happen anyway as i've been sitting on the cash and waiting for about 4 months)

What i want as an end result.....

Faster iMac which is used for internet surfing some basic gaming (steam)

Access to my tunes library by iPad/iPhone/iMac (all independent of each other)

Torrent downloads controlled by NAS.

Products picked out so far are...

OCZ Vertex 3 120GB - from advice now Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB
QNAP Turbo NAS TS-119P+

Total cost just over £300

Anyone have a better idea or experience with iTunes library on a NAS please advise.

Ca9

ca9phoenix · 13 Jun 2012 at 10:53

Hi Jim,

It does take a little patience and the first time i changed the HDD it was a nightmare as i was worried i was going to break it, second time was a breeze as i knew what i was doing. so here is my advice.

You will need,
Suction cup (i used one off my satnav)
T8 Torx sxrewdriver (star bit)
double sided sticky tape (or single doubled over)
Velcro strips
Latex gloves.
The patience of Jobe

Open the ram cover, remove the ram (bottom of iMac)

First put on the gloves.... i'll explain why later.

Stick the suction cup to the Glass screen towards one side and gently pull, the glass will come away from the magnets.

Place the glass some ware dust free.

I made a square of double sided tape on apiece of paper to stick the screws so i knew where they came from as there mostly different lengths.

Unscrew all the T8 screws that were under the screen and place them on the tape so you can put them back easily. there is about 12

Remove the aluminium enclosure, it's a little stiff but it will come off. watch out for the isight camera, disconnect if necessary.

Unscrew the Screen i think 4 screws each side. (DONT touch the screen directly i did the first time and when the screen is all white i can see an greasy imprint of my right hand!)

Lift the screen from the bottom, some tape will peel from the back that holds the wires to the board, there are 3 wires connected to it i just removed the bottom one and rotated it up.

You can now access the HDD which is in the middle of the screen. Disconnect sata and power cable.

It should have a clip on one side that you can release and remove the HDD easily by hand.

As the SSD is so small i velcroed it to the case after connecting the SATA and power cables.

Put it back together in reverse. It goes easy until you have to put the aluminium back on. i found i ended up with silver fabric sticking out of the ram slot and had to attempt it several times to get all the insides on the inside.

Clean the screen of dust thoroughly before replacing the glass.

Ram back in and Voila!