2014 Imac 27" PCI or PCIe

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2014 Imac 27" PCI or PCIe

Late 2014 IMac 27"...does it come with a PCIe or PCI or can I add one?

The processor is 4GHz Quad Core i7 with a fusion drive. The computer has never had an onboard that I know of. I am planning to replace fusion drive with an SSD drive. I have seen videos showing PCIe, M.2 cards being installed behind the motherboard. When I view my system report (under hardware) it states, no PCI card is installed. When I go to SATA under the same drop down menu it states that my SSD controller has a Physical Interconnect PCI (Apple SSD SM0128G). Is this the PCI located behind the motherboard?

My main goal is to upgrade the computer for photo editing (raw files), videos etc.

I appreciate any help understanding what I have/need.

Posted on Dec 26, 2020 10:23 AM

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Answer 1

heynay99 Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 26, 2020 12:16 PM in response to VikingOSX

I understand an external hard drive is a possibility. I have opened other iMacs to replace hard drives in earlier model 21" and installed dual drives (internally). My question is...what will I find when I open the 27". Is there a PCI card slot (with a card in it?) that can be upgraded to 2TB? If so, will upgrading the PCIe help the speed of a new SSD drive? I'm not sure how the PCIe drive works with the SSD drive.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,470 points

Dec 26, 2020 11:48 AM in response to heynay99

You would have to completely disassemble the iMac as the connector for the PCIe storage is underneath the motherboard. Not recommended either.

Consider an external enclosure with a USB 3 connection, as this iMac still uses TB2. Several manufacturer's now produce 1Gbps external storage devices (Crucial, Samsung, WD, etc.) which is far simpler to hook up and use.

EIther cloning software (carbon copy cloner, or superduper!) can be used to clone your existing drive onto the new external drive, or even a boot into Reccovery and choosing Restore From Time Machine backup to that external drive will wipe it, and then repave with your existint TB backup including the operating system and your home directory. Then in System Preferences, change the Startup drive to the external device.

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2014 Imac 27" PCI or PCIe

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