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Model A1312 / Mid 2011 / 2.7 & 3.1 GHz Core i5 or 3.4 GHz Core i7 Processor, ID iMac12,2

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SSD: a second drive or a change of the current HDD

I have an i5 quad 27" iMac mid-2011 with a 1TB HDD. Due to drags I made a radical decision to install SSD, but I'm not sure that I need to refuse 1 TB HDD and replace it on 500 gb SSD. May be the best way is to leave my HDD and to install 128 gb or 256 as a second drive under dvd rom? What are pros and cons of the second idea in respect to the effiecency and speed? If you'll give me an advice to leave my hdd, what should I buy for the OS, programs (Photoshop, Capture One) etc distribution - 128 or 256 SSD? I plan to use this configuration as a Fusion Drive.

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First if you deside to replace your HD for a SSD you'll need to add in an external thermal sensor to replace the now missing HD's sensor. Here is what you'll need: OWC In-line Digital Thermal Sensor for iMac 2011 Hard Drive Upgrade and you'll need a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter frame to hold the 2.5" SSD. Like this one: OWC 2.5" to 3.5" Drive Adapter Bracket

So unless you are going with a large SSD I would focus on adding the SSD as a second drive following this IFIXIT guide: Installing iMac Intel 27" EMC 2429 Dual Hard Drive Kit

As to the SSD's size a 128 GB should be fine if you plan to configure it as a Fusion Drive set.

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Thank you for your answer. I've downloaded Apple Technician Guide (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4WaP6D...), on page 243 you can read 'HDD Power plug (shown) on SSD-only configs'. As I inderstood, Apple recommend to install this plug if you upgrade hdd to ssd for example. So, there is no need for buying OWC In-line Digital Thermal Sensor for iMac 2011 Hard Drive Upgrade. Am I right? I made a decision to buy Samsung SSD - EVO 500 or PRO 512. Which SSD is better? The elder one is up 50$...

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Sadly Apple does not offer the special jumper as a spare part only within the Apple SSD drive kit. So you'll need the OWC sensor & the adapter frame. Remember this is only needed if you are replacing the HD for the SSD! If you are adding the SSD as a second drive you don't need either the sensor or the adapter frame.

As to which Samsung drive EVO or Pro. We buy the EVO models, we have found the extra cost of the Pro version is not worth it. The lifespan of the EVO's models are very good! So far we've only had one go bad with the 100's we have installed.

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