SSD replacement, use external SSD

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iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639

Model A1419 / Late 2013 / 3.2 & 3.4 GHz Core i5 or 3.5 GHz Core i7 Processor, ID iMac14,2

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andy @andy67440

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Posted: Apr 15, 2015

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SSD replacement, use external SSD

hi guys

after my last 27 inch iMac(late 2009) blow up and the screen went black i got another one a late 2013 one and i sent it back as the thing just didn't work and i got a refund yIppie...

So I'm saving up for another one..

Ive heard that you can run the iMac by using an external SSD in a encloser and use the internal 1TB as an extra HHD..

The question is whats the crack with the new connections, i heard that apple have adjusted the connections so you can't fit an after market SSD ..

So whats the fix to fit the SSD...

Can i use a

OWC 6G SSD or a

Samsung 850 evo

and do ineed to get extra cables/connections for this, as i my late iMac in needed to run software to keep it cool

thanks guys

andy...

Answer this question I have this problem too

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1 Answer

Dan @danj Rep: 478.9k Self employed contract worker 35 329 970 · Answer 1 · 2015-04-15T04:10:45-07:00

Lets review things here:

You can use an external drive (HD or SSD) to run your system using either a USB or Thunderbolt connection. As an example I have a set of USB thumb drives which are prepped with different OS's to service my systems. Each has either the OS installer to upgrade as well as drive tools to fix an internal drive thats in trouble.

As for the internal storage options for your 'Thin Series' iMac. First you do have a more difficult time opening the system and you'll need to replace the tape used to hold the display assembly. So I don't recommend opening it unless you really need to.

Apple has two different interfaces in these systems a standard SATA port used for the HD (a 3.5" in your 27" and a 2.5" in the 21.5" model) and underneath the logic board is a M.2 SSD blade connector. which Apple places the SSD when you buy your system with one. It is not an easy connector to get to! It will require a complete teardown of your system! So I don't recommend trying this as a DIY unless you've worked on quite a few iMac's before.

Options:

The best one is to do something externally as its the least risky.

If you must install something internally, then you should focus on the HD. Here you could replace the standard HD with a SSHD hybrid drive which will give you the zip of a SSD but the storage of a standard HD. I don't recommend installing a straight SSD in these systems as the size difference of the drive and the required adapter cable adds costs and complications needlessly when the correct SSHD drive will do all of this.