Fit second ssd drive?

Question

iMac Intel 27" Retina 5K Display (Late 2014 & 2015)

Model A1419 / EMC 2806 / Late 2014 or Mid 2015. 3.3 or 3.5 GHz Core i5 or 4.0 GHz Core i7 (ID iMac15,1); EMC 2834 late 2015 / 3.3 or 3.5 GHz Core i5 or 4.0 GHz Core i7 (iMac17,1) All with Retina 5K displays

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David Wilson @davidwilso76294

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Sun 13, 2022

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Fit second ssd drive?

Hello all,

I’m sure this has been covered at some point but I just want to be certain of my information before I take apart my iMac.

The iMac came supplied with a single solid state drive which I assume is connected to the SATA connector which is visible immediately when the screen is removed. This is an assumption on my part.

I was hoping I could fit a Blade type SSD (NVME or M.2) to the logic board but I can not find any definite information as to whether this model iMac carries a logic board that will allow this if it has already been supplied with a SSD (500Gb) when delivered.

Has anyone fitted a second SSD on a late 2014 model iMac that already contains a single SSD? Was there a slot available on the logic board? If so can you think of anything else I need to consider before opening my iMac.

The processor is an I7 quad core.

Thanks in advance for any advice that can be offered.

David

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Alisha C @flannelist

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If this came originally configured with an SSD (as in, it was bought new from Apple with just an SSD) it will already contain a proprietary Apple blade type SSD. Probably a 12+16 pin variant. You can double check this in System Info. It will likely still be listed under SATA devices, since I believe the 2014 still uses the SATA standard, just in a different form factor. If it lists an Apple drive, then it’s this type, since Apple never produced a 2.5” SSD. If you purchased it used, then it may have been that the stock HDD was swapped for an SSD in which case it should still list what type of drive is installed.

Either way, you can put the other sort of drive in. I believe the 2014/15 models do have the correct slot for the blade type, even if it was not originally shipped with one. You can get a third party one that’s made to natively fit this slot, or an adapter which will allow you to connect an m.2 drive to it. If it only has the blade type now, you can still put a 2.5” one in, but you will have to get the appropriate hard drive cable, to plug into the logic board, since it will not have one presently. Although it will have the correct port.

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Hello Alisha,

First let me apologise for my delayed response to your prompt answer.

I bought my iMac new and from what you say in your answer I suspect the SSD will be a blade type. On your advice I checked the system info and the drive is listed a SATA , APPLE-SSD-SM0512F. Looking on google this appears to be a 12+16 blade type.

That then leaves the question of fitting second SSD in the 2.5” space. Do I need to purchase a kit for this? I.E. a cable to fit to the logic board and SSD, a holding bracket and a heat sensor along with the iMac opening kit.

If I go to the trouble of opening the iMac I may as well up grade the current drive to something faster and larger, as well as fitting a second internal SSD of 2Tb.

Do you have any suggestions or advice for speedy SSDs that fit the bill?

Thanks again for your response it is very much appreciated.

Regards,

David.

crwdns2934271:0Sun 16, 2022crwdnd2934271:0 David Wilson crwdne2934271:0

@David Wilson Yes, would definitely say a kit is the way to go. You would need the cable from the board to the SATA interface and temp sensor adapter at the very least (plus replacement adhesive to put the screen back in). I do not recall whether or not they would natively have the mounting bracket for the 3.5" HDD which would have come in there if you had a model with a fusion drive, or stand alone HDD. But SSDs are much less sensitive to vibration at the like, so as long as it is secured into the enclosure somehow I wouldn't be concerned. But you can certainly find them around< it's just much less common to find an iMac without a traditional SATA drive at all.

As for which SSD, it probably depends on what exactly you're using it for, and what your budget is. I tend to like the Samsung EVO series (or QVO if you're on a budget), but they are on the pricier end of the spectrum. I know Crucial also makes some fairly good, but less expensive drives.

crwdns2934271:0Sun 16, 2022crwdnd2934271:0 Alisha C crwdne2934271:0

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Hello Alisha,

First let me apologise for my delayed response to your prompt answer.

I bought my iMac new and from what you say in your answer I suspect the SSD will be a blade type. On your advice I checked the system info and the drive is listed a SATA , APPLE-SSD-SM0512F. Looking on google this appears to be a 12+16 blade type.

That then leaves the question of fitting second SSD in the 2.5” space. Do I need to purchase a kit for this? I.E. a cable to fit to the logic board and SSD, a holding bracket and a heat sensor along with the iMac opening kit.

If I go to the trouble of opening the iMac I may as well up grade the current drive to something faster and larger, as well as fitting a second internal SSD of 2Tb.

Do you have any suggestions or advice for speedy SSDs that fit the bill?

Thanks again for your response it is very much appreciated.

Regards,

David. — David Wilson
@David Wilson Yes, would definitely say a kit is the way to go. You would need the cable from the board to the SATA interface and temp sensor adapter at the very least (plus replacement adhesive to put the screen back in). I do not recall whether or not they would natively have the mounting bracket for the 3.5" HDD which would have come in there if you had a model with a fusion drive, or stand alone HDD. But SSDs are much less sensitive to vibration at the like, so as long as it is secured into the enclosure somehow I wouldn't be concerned. But you can certainly find them around< it's just much less common to find an iMac without a traditional SATA drive at all.

As for which SSD, it probably depends on what exactly you're using it for, and what your budget is. I tend to like the Samsung EVO series (or QVO if you're on a budget), but they are on the pricier end of the spectrum. I know Crucial also makes some fairly good, but less expensive drives. — Alisha C

iMac Intel 27" Retina 5K Display (Late 2014 & 2015)

Fit second ssd drive?

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