HI all,
my SSD appears to be failing and I am looking for options. There don't seem to be a lof of those, and OWC seemed to be the best one. But a lot of people are complaining about them (not waking from sleep mode). Are there any other SSD options for the Mac Pro 2013?
Thank you!
Mac Pro, macOS 10.13
The Mac Pro 2013 like other Mac models of that era uses a PCIe SSD with a proprietary (Apple) version of the standard M2 connector. This means a standard M2 SSD will not fit. This in turn means that if you ask Apple they will probably tell you you need to get a replacement part from Apple.
OWC do make an SSD with the same proprietary Apple connector meaning it will fit with no extra effort.
However there is now on the market an adapter to allow you to fit standard M2 SSDs in to Apple's proprietary socket. See - https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2016-2013-2015/dp/B07FYY3H5F/
Furthermore whilst originally the Mac Pro 2013 only supported AHCI style SSD drives Apple included in a firmware upgrade the ability to also use NVMe style SSD drives. This is important because the older AHCI SSD drives are becoming rarer as all current computers - including Macs now use NVMe SSD drives. You would first need to ensure your Mac has the correct firmware before trying to fit one of these SSD cards. This is done by first installing Mojave on a current internal or external drive and during the Mojave installation it will if needed update the firmware as well.
You could then buy a new standard NVMe M2 SSD and use the above Sintech adapter to let it be fitted in to Apple's proprietary socket.
Note: Do not get a Samsung Evo Pro 970 as this is currently causing problems with the Mac. Instead get a Western Digital Black SN750.
The Mac Pro 2013 like other Mac models of that era uses a PCIe SSD with a proprietary (Apple) version of the standard M2 connector. This means a standard M2 SSD will not fit. This in turn means that if you ask Apple they will probably tell you you need to get a replacement part from Apple.
OWC do make an SSD with the same proprietary Apple connector meaning it will fit with no extra effort.
However there is now on the market an adapter to allow you to fit standard M2 SSDs in to Apple's proprietary socket. See - https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2016-2013-2015/dp/B07FYY3H5F/
Furthermore whilst originally the Mac Pro 2013 only supported AHCI style SSD drives Apple included in a firmware upgrade the ability to also use NVMe style SSD drives. This is important because the older AHCI SSD drives are becoming rarer as all current computers - including Macs now use NVMe SSD drives. You would first need to ensure your Mac has the correct firmware before trying to fit one of these SSD cards. This is done by first installing Mojave on a current internal or external drive and during the Mojave installation it will if needed update the firmware as well.
You could then buy a new standard NVMe M2 SSD and use the above Sintech adapter to let it be fitted in to Apple's proprietary socket.
Note: Do not get a Samsung Evo Pro 970 as this is currently causing problems with the Mac. Instead get a Western Digital Black SN750.
I upgraded my Mac pro late 2013 with the said adaptor (I actually used this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B073F9LDD5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and a Samsung Evo 970 1TB disk and am very happy with it. I have had it running 24/7 since March this year and have not had any problems.
To a certain degree, the Samsung Evo 970 is overkill as the MP will never max out the speed of the SSD. But still, it's a very fast solution and certainly as fast as Apple's proprietary drive which is kind of what you want.
John, its the 970 plus not the 970.
Mac Pro 2013 SSD options?
