Rep: 1
1
Added an SSD to the imac- wanted to change the HDD that was in there. Noticed that the new hard drive that I wanted to put in- a WD red had a temp sensor plug that was different than the one in the imac already? the new drive i am trying to install has a plug with 8 pins. Is there an adaptor I need?
Is this a good question?
Rep: 479.3k
35
329
971
Ok, so heres the dope!
The 2011 model uses a custom HD made for Apple leveraging the internal thermal sensor within the drive which does make upgrading the drive a bit harder ;-{
Here's the IFIXIT guide you'll need to reference: iMac Intel 27" EMC 2429 Hard Drive Replacement. Remember this model uses a 3.5" drive so you'll need an adapter frame if you are going with a 2.5" SSD and you'll need this special adapter cable:
If you are just swapping out the HD with another 3.5" HD you still need the in-line sensor but you don't need the adapter frame.
But before you go down this path! Maybe you just need to add the drive as a second drive. Which I think is a better direction. Here is the IFIXIT guide you'll need to follow: Installing iMac Intel 27" EMC 2429 Dual Hard Drive Kit. As it turns out your system has a spare SATA port! Which is what we are using here. You only need this: iMac Intel 27" Mid 2011 Dual Hard Drive Kit. You don't need to worry about the thermal sensor as the HD will take care of things. Once you have the drive installed you can make it the boot drive or even setup a Fusion Drive set.
Product
$27.99
Guide
Difficulty:
Moderate
—
20 - 30 minutes
Guide
Difficulty:
Difficult
—
1 - 3 hours
Was this answer helpful?
Thanks for that. I am adding an SSD (which is why I ordered the kit from you guys), and now I ordered the temp sensor from macsales to replace the aging HDD. Wish I knew that my 2010 model, when I added second SSD drive, and thought I would just swap in a new HDD drive- needed a custom adaptor. Being a n Apple product- I really should have known better! Thanks again- David
FYI - This blog site is supported by the IFIXIT folks. The people here answering your questions are all volunteers!
Just remember you don't need the sensor if you add the SSD (dual drive). You only need the sensor if you swap out the HD.
OWC offers a sensor cable for your 2010 model as well, you might want to get it if you have a dual SSD setup in it.
Past 24 Hours: 0
Past 7 Days: 9
Past 30 Days: 24
All Time: 9,666
2 Comments
Can you clarify your system info. The Mid 2011 systems don't use a separate thermal sensor. The older 2010 model does.
Look under About This Mac to locate the systems S/N, then plug it into here: EveryMac - Lookup. Once you locate your system paste the URL here for us to see.
by Dan
Ahh... I just did my Mid 2010 (same as above) and the current heat sensor wire didn't fit- haven't opened up the 2011 one yet. I assumed they were the same- wanted to get all set before opening it up! Thanks for the reply.
by David Briggs