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Model A1311 / Mid 2011 / 2.5 & 2.7 GHz Core i5 or 2.8 GHz Core i7 Processor

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Power cable for second SSD

Hi guys,

I currently have iMac 2011 with SSD ( used OCW thermal kit ) but I know that I can add one more SSD - my question is:

  1. can I use power splitter cable ? ( basically power cable for first SSD will power up both SSD ) Or I need to get “special” (https://www.amazon.co.uk/OWC-Internal-SS... ) power cable from board ? I know that SSD need little more power than HDD.
  2. Do I need thermal kit for second SSD ?

Regards

Rob

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Where are you planning to physically fit it in? You can use an optical drive adapter if you don’t need it for optical disks.

Unibody Laptop Dual Drive

Unibody Laptop Dual Drive Image

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Unibody Laptop Dual Drive

$24.99

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7 Comments:

@mayer - The optical drives I/O connection is only SATA II (3.0 Gb/s) Vs the two drive SATA ports both support SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) drives at full speed.

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Want keep Optical drive - because I took out original HDD there is space for 2xSSD where was original HDD.

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You really can't use any splitters for either the power or data lines.

You will need to connect both power & data cables in no matter where you place the drive. The cable length in the dual drive upgrade kit (OWC or IFIXIT) are designed to fit the drive behind the optical drive. Here's the IFIXIT guide Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2428 Dual Drive Kit as that is the best placement. And here's the needed kit iMac Intel 21.5" (Mid 2011) Dual Hard Drive Kit or OWC Internal SSD DIY Kit for All Apple 21.5" iMac 2011 Models

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Well, look like this not worth time and money ( 19,95 € for 2 cables :( ). Will stay with external HDD.

Thanks a lot guys.

Rob

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Hold on here! Unless you've got a FireWire or Thunderbolt external drive the internal connection is much faster than USB2 this series has.

I do think its worth it! If you want the better performance!

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Little refresh - did anyone have data sheet for second HDD power cable ? I have one but have 4 wires instead of three .

Thanks Rob

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Here's the iFixit kit which has all the needed pieces iMac Intel 21.5" (Mid 2011) Dual Hard Drive Kit

Get it soon as once gone I don't think you'll find the part available as the demand is just not there.

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I ordered something similar unfortunately where I live is not so easy to get stuff from iFixit - but what I received - power cable have 4 instead 3 cables and I believe that they are wrong connected- that why I asked for data sheet

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There is no data sheet, Apple doesn't offer the build documents. The cables you are seeing are built by reverse engineering of the part or via getting the spare from Apple, I think your choices here are limited here.

What country are you in and what is the nearest city? Maybe we can guide you do a local source or one that can get to you.

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After some deep digging I found some data sheet and pin out for second power connector - will try over weekend and if everything will be OK will share with you guys ;)

@Dan thanks for offer, if weekend go wrong will drop you message.

Rob

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Hi guys,

little bit refresh - so actually you can install 2x 2.5 inch HDD/SSD and still keep your optical drive :).

It’s not easy (you need to take out all motherboard) and you will need extra power cable (you can get it from OWC if I am not wrong - will try find link) or you can made it your self:

The pinouts of the SSD Power Cable - only for SSD and 2.5 inch HDD NOT for 3.5 inch HDD (requires 12V)!


Pin #1 = 5V

Pin #2 = GND

Pin #3 = NC (Not Connected)

Pin #4 = GND

So I simply replaced original HDD with 1TB 2.5 with thermal sensor from OWC (for data) and add SSD (for OS X).

So for few dollars I get really fast iMac with enough space for data :)

I am just wondering how it is with RAID support on iMac’s ? How about 2x SanDisk ExtremePro or Ultra II in RAID ? - if you have any experiences let me know.

If you have any questions about this update just ask will do my best to answer.

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Rob will be eternally grateful.
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