What is the fastest PCIe NVME SSD that will fit in my iMac17,1 Retina 5K Late 2015 27"A1419?

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What is the fastest PCIe NVME SSD that will fit in my iMac17,1 Retina 5K Late 2015 27"A1419?

I believe the MZ-JPV5120 and MZ-KPV1T00 are compatible (and maybe the MZ-JPV512R?).

I bought MZ-KKW5120 and installed it, and it seems to not be working properly. I'm thinking it might be a compatibility issue. Sometimes my iMac won’t recognize/detect it. However, whenever it does recognize it, it works fine until my computer goes to sleep (or deep sleep?). When I wake the computer up from sleeping, it restarts because of a problem, a panic report corresponding to kernal_task. It then stops detecting the SSD. Does anyone know why this is happening? Is the SSD incompatible or is it a faulty SSD? Or did I need to have High Sierra on my system before installing it?

This article mentions that my iMac can upgrade to the Gen 5 SSD's: https://beetstech.com/blog/apple-proprietary-ssd-ultimate-guide-to-specs-and-upgrades

I noticed the MZ-KKW5120 was wider/"Fatter" in appearance than the original PCIe NVME SSD in my system. The MZ-JPV512R looks like it is closer to the size of my original PCIe SSD. Maybe I just bought the wrong SSD and need to get the MZ-JPV512R?

What is the fastest SSD that is compatible with my System?

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Dec 23, 2018 1:53 PM

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Answer 1

Ryan1162 Author

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Dec 23, 2018 3:53 PM in response to Kappy

I just erased the drive and made sure it was APFS and GUID and put High Sierra on it, but I still encountered a restart because of a problem... but this time the drive was still recognized/detected when it restarted!

EDIT: Someone just got back to me and said this: "Yes this is a known issue. If you dig through the internet, you'll find users that have experienced this exact issue. It has to do with the iMac chipset for that model year which affects a small percentage of those iMac owners. We've seen this same issue as well with UK/Aus iMac models as well. The AHCI model is not as fast as the NVMe since it doesn't use that communications protocol. (~2200MB/s Read 1700MB/s Write on x4 link width iMacs). Since the newer versions are more efficient, there is no throttling under heavy loads. Also note that the deep sleep issue is just a small portion of the problem. Users have also complained about corruption and data loss. "

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Answer 2

Ryan1162 Author

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Dec 23, 2018 11:14 PM in response to SeaPapp

I've heard bad things about those OWC drives. Also there's nothing wrong with the drive I bought. It's my system.

"Yes this is a known issue. If you dig through the internet, you'll find users that have experienced this exact issue. It has to do with the iMac chipset for that model year which affects a small percentage of those iMac owners. We've seen this same issue as well with UK/Aus iMac models as well. The AHCI model is not as fast as the NVMe since it doesn't use that communications protocol. (~2200MB/s Read 1700MB/s Write on x4 link width iMacs). Since the newer versions are more efficient, there is no throttling under heavy loads. Also note that the deep sleep issue is just a small portion of the problem. Users have also complained about corruption and data loss. "

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Answer 3

Kappy

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Dec 23, 2018 2:43 PM in response to Ryan1162

That Samsung model is an Apple designated replacement/upgrade. It should work. You state it is wider than the one you had originally. Are the two pin-compatible and does the new one fit properly in the slot? Have you contacted the vendor? I found it listed on Amazon as a verified Apple part.

Did you use Disk Utility to format it using GUID and APFS?

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Answer 4

Kappy

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Dec 23, 2018 3:41 PM in response to Ryan1162

Yes, you do. No telling how it is formatted, but if not correctly that could explain your issues with it.

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Answer 5

Kappy

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Dec 24, 2018 11:06 AM in response to Ryan1162

FWIW: There is a distinction between SSDs sold under the OWC brand and other-branded SSDs you can purchase from them. Personally, I have bought several OWC-branded notebook form-factor SSDs over the years. The first one I ever bought is still working after six or seven years. However, OWC may well sell the same Samsung m.2 blade as you bought for their iMac upgrades. And, you are right it is your system and there is nothing wrong with the SSD you bought.

I think Mike was offering you advice to help assure you got a product known to work in a Mac. I don't know if he is that familiar with nvme/m.2 SSDs.

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Answer 6

Ryan1162 Author

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Dec 24, 2018 1:56 PM in response to Kappy

I have the same iMac and I had the same fusion drive haha. I broke apart the fusion drive first. Yes it was a very difficult disassembly, only because the screen is glued on with adhesive and the screws are also glued in. I ended up stripping a screw because it was so hard to get out, so my dad drilled into the screw and accidentally broke off the airport board socket. I just got a new airport board socket soldered on. This whole thing has been really stressful and a huge nightmare. I might just try disabling deep sleep and see how everything works lmao.

EDIT: How fast of disk speed do you get with those 500GB Samsung NVMe-m.2 blades in compatible external enclosures? And what kind of external exclosure?

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Answer 7

Ryan1162 Author

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Dec 23, 2018 2:53 PM in response to Kappy

The actual connection is the same I think, it fits properly in the slot. Just the "body" is fatter. It works except for the kernal panics. Do I need to format it to GUID and APFS?

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Answer 8

SeaPapp

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Dec 23, 2018 5:27 PM in response to Ryan1162

You'd be wise to purchase an ssd from a reputable Mac vendor https://eshop.macsales.com

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Answer 9

Ryan1162 Author

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Dec 24, 2018 12:57 PM in response to Kappy

I installed High Sierra only after installing the new SSD. Is that a problem?

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Answer 10

Kappy

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Dec 24, 2018 1:35 PM in response to Ryan1162

As long as the SSD has been formatted using GUID and APFS I can't imagine there would be a problem. But then I have never replaced an Apple-original m.2 SSD blade in any of my computers. I have a late 2015 5K iMac with a 1TB Fusion Drive. The internal SSD is only 24GBs. Not even sure it's upgradeable. Plus, I think it's buried deep in the hardware making it a difficult disassembly for me. I have essential tremors in my hands making it nearly impossible to perform fine motor work.

I do have two 500GB Samsung NVMe-m.2 blades in compatible external enclosures. They both seem to work very well. Mojave is installed on both. The ones I have are the skinny standard 2080 form-factor as opposed to the wide one you have.

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What is the fastest PCIe NVME SSD that will fit in my iMac17,1 Retina 5K Late 2015 27"A1419?

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