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Model A1312 / Mid 2010 / 3.2 GHz Core i3 or 2.8 & 3.6 GHz Core i5 or 2.93 GHz Core i7, ID iMac11,3

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Compatible drive for Mid 2010 27-inch iMac?

I'd like to upgrade my 1TB mechanical drive to a SSD (probably 2TB or larger).

Two questions:

1) The instructions note that I need to use the same brand of drive. My iMac has a SAMSUNG HD103SJ. Unfortunately, I don't see any Samsungs available on the iFixIt site. What are my options?

2) I believe there is space for two drives in this iMac. I'm considering leaving the current mechanical drive and adding the SSD... or adding two SSDs. Any suggestions or best practices on this?

Thanks!

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As first documented by OWC, the 27" iMac models have an extra 3 Gb/s Serial ATA connector and power for the optional SSD, but if one is not installed at the time the system is purchased the connector cables and mounting bracket are not present. It is possible to install a 2.5" SSD in addition to the hard drive if an SSD is not installed initially in a 27" model it's just a bit of a "hack" . So you could (somewhat) easily add an SSD.

I think keeping the original HD is a good idea - if you want more performance Max out the RAM. Officially, this model supports a maximum of 16 GB of memory. However, third-parties have discovered that it actually will support 32 GB of memory using four 8 GB modules.

See OWC for parts.

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4 Comments:

Thanks for the reply. I am planning to upgrade the RAM, but replacing the mechanical drive with an SSD seems like an appropriate step as well.

And that brings me back to my original question - if my current mechanical drive is a Samsung HD103SJ, what would be an appropriate SSD replacement or can I obtain the cables to use a different brand of drive?

Thanks!

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You can use different brand drives as long as they are compatible... as I said see OWC they are THE 3rd Party Mac authority when it comes to drives especially SSDs

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Which brings me back to my original question. Which SSD drive is a compatible replacement for the Samsung HD103SJ? I cannot seem to find an answer to this on OWC or iFixit.

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Took me 30 seconds. . . they have help and live chat links off that page- use them.

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