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Best way to connect an SSD to 2017 iMac?

I have a Crucial SSD in a USB 3.0 enclosure.


My iMac has Thunderbolt 3 ports.


What is the best way of getting maximum speed without spending silly-money?


Also is there a way of achieving the speed of an internal SSD with an external plug in?

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 24, 2021 2:25 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 24, 2021 3:59 AM

The best way in my opinion is to use a USB-C connected SSD.


It will NOT be nearly as fast as the internal, mind you.

For that you'd need an actual Thunderbolt 3 SSD.


But the latter would:

a) Cost A LOT more

b) Not actually be as fast as the internal (but be close)


My Crucial X8 drives give me a score of 900MBps on BlackMagic Disk Speed Test.

The internal drive on my 16" MBP is about three times that.

A Thunderbol3 OWC Envoy Pro claims 2500MBps, so it is nominally much faster than USB-C and close to my internal.


That said:


The X8 does not slow me down at all. It cost me something like 150 euros for 1TB. It costs 130 euros now.

A Thunderbolt 3 OWC Envoy Pro is 250 euros.


Would I be able to notice the difference in speed?

For me, the answer is no, I wouldn't. I would rather get another 1TB instead.


For you, it is your choice. Only you know if that extra speed is worth the extra cost.


We are at a point where the drives are no longer a bottleneck in most cases.


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6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 24, 2021 3:59 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

The best way in my opinion is to use a USB-C connected SSD.


It will NOT be nearly as fast as the internal, mind you.

For that you'd need an actual Thunderbolt 3 SSD.


But the latter would:

a) Cost A LOT more

b) Not actually be as fast as the internal (but be close)


My Crucial X8 drives give me a score of 900MBps on BlackMagic Disk Speed Test.

The internal drive on my 16" MBP is about three times that.

A Thunderbol3 OWC Envoy Pro claims 2500MBps, so it is nominally much faster than USB-C and close to my internal.


That said:


The X8 does not slow me down at all. It cost me something like 150 euros for 1TB. It costs 130 euros now.

A Thunderbolt 3 OWC Envoy Pro is 250 euros.


Would I be able to notice the difference in speed?

For me, the answer is no, I wouldn't. I would rather get another 1TB instead.


For you, it is your choice. Only you know if that extra speed is worth the extra cost.


We are at a point where the drives are no longer a bottleneck in most cases.


Best way to connect an SSD to 2017 iMac?

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