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Is OWC cable with thermal sensor really necessary for a replacement hard drive?

I need to replace my hard disk drive in my late 2013 iMac 27". I was wondering if I really need it or will the computer run fine without it?

I will buy the hard drive on amazon.

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 31, 2021 12:39 AM

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Posted on Oct 31, 2021 1:49 AM

From OWC’s web site, a thermal sensor is needed for 27” iMacs 2012 and up…

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD12/


I use NewEgg for hard drives, the Samsung 860 EVO was a good drive.

It has been replaced by the 870 EVO…

Make sure the seller is NewEgg…

https://www.newegg.com/samsung-1tb-870-evo-series/p/N82E16820147793?Item=N82E16820147793&cm_sp=SH-_--_-8-_--_-20-147-793-_-samsung+870+evo-_-samsung+870+evo-_-1



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4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 31, 2021 1:49 AM in response to LS11

From OWC’s web site, a thermal sensor is needed for 27” iMacs 2012 and up…

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD12/


I use NewEgg for hard drives, the Samsung 860 EVO was a good drive.

It has been replaced by the 870 EVO…

Make sure the seller is NewEgg…

https://www.newegg.com/samsung-1tb-870-evo-series/p/N82E16820147793?Item=N82E16820147793&cm_sp=SH-_--_-8-_--_-20-147-793-_-samsung+870+evo-_-samsung+870+evo-_-1



Oct 31, 2021 12:43 AM in response to LS11

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities.


Do not replace the internal drive! It is not a user-replaceable or upgradeable component and doing so has great risk. Rather, please use an external SSD. Using an external solution contains zero risk and is much easier, and cost effective, to set up. For more info, instructions, and what external SSD to buy, please read: How to Setup and Use an External SSD as y… - Apple Community.


Cheers,


Jack

Oct 31, 2021 12:49 AM in response to Jack-19

Thanks for your answer, Jack! It's not a problem for me to open the iMac, it's not the first time (in the past I have added a SSD in the PCIE slot and replaced the thermal paste on CPU and GPU). I just wondering if the system can read the new hard drive temperature without that special cable or the fans will go crazy.

Is OWC cable with thermal sensor really necessary for a replacement hard drive?

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