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User profile for user: tgsteer
tgsteer Author
User level: Level 1
23 points

Can I remove the HD completely from my Fusion drive 2012 27" iMac?

I have a 1TB Fusion Drive in my 2012 27" iMac. The drive is loud and slow and I would be happy to just use the 128GB PCIe SSD storage. Can I simply disconnect the HD and remove it (also helping thermals)? Or is the system going to run fans at 100% because there is no HD thermal sensor anymore?


Is there a way to get around this? Like get rid of the HD and leave the sensor? Or do I need to get an SSD adapter for the 3.5 drive and put in some disk with a sensor?


Thanks

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Jun 21, 2023 1:59 AM

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User profile for user: ku4hx
ku4hx
User level: Level 7
23,592 points

Posted on Jun 21, 2023 4:18 AM

Instead of cracking open the machine, I'd go with an external SSD if possible. I did that with my 2015 21.5" iMac and typical internal HDD speed of 90 MBps went to 450 MBps with the SSD connection to UAB-A port.


I later replaced the internal drive so I get opening the Mac. With an internal Samsung EVO 860 speeds upped to 550 MBps. Not enough to really tell a difference operationally.

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User profile for user: ku4hx
ku4hx
User level: Level 7
23,592 points

Jun 21, 2023 4:18 AM in response to tgsteer

Instead of cracking open the machine, I'd go with an external SSD if possible. I did that with my 2015 21.5" iMac and typical internal HDD speed of 90 MBps went to 450 MBps with the SSD connection to UAB-A port.


I later replaced the internal drive so I get opening the Mac. With an internal Samsung EVO 860 speeds upped to 550 MBps. Not enough to really tell a difference operationally.

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User profile for user: Allan Jones
Allan Jones
User level: Level 9
72,380 points

Jun 21, 2023 12:17 PM in response to tgsteer

I doubt a 128GB SSD will be useful. We see many users here with Macbook Pros with 128GB and even 256GB drives complaining about not enough space to do system updates.


Are you sure it is the drive that is loud? Usually, irritating noise is from a cooling fan that can't find a sensor.


The external USB3 SSD option ku4hx mentions is very good but will be a bit slower than a healthy Fusion system as applied to 27-inch iMacs. The external USB/SSD with do 400-450MB/sec depending on drive make; a healthy Fusion drive will do write speeds of 600-1000MB/sec and reads approaching 2000MB/sec. I have an older Macbook Pro with a internal SATA 6GB SSD aftermarket upgrade and it does 500MB/s both directions and is still a pleasure to use.


The external USB SSD option is also cost-friendly at time of purchase, and can be used as additional storage on your next computer.

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Can I remove the HD completely from my Fusion drive 2012 27" iMac?

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