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Carol Hammal Author

Level 1

29 points

iMac 27 is extremely slow despite replacing HDD with SSD

I've owned an iMac 27" 5K (2019) 1TB i5 3GHz 6-core with 24GB RAM for over 2 years. It was running super slow after a few months of use and I replaced its HDD with a 512 GB SSD at the Apple Store.

It became much faster but again after about a month of use, same problem occurred. Every single task takes forever to launch. Colored wheel at every task even typing this is slower. The computer is literally becoming a pain to use.

I own a MBP 14" with half the RAM and same SSD but with M1 Pro and also for 2 years with heavier use and never had a single issue with it.

I did not import a Time Machine backup on purpose in case there was any corrupt file. I did a clean install and installed apps from the App Store. No third party apps. HD use is barely 35% of the 512.

Running latest Sonoma OS.

I gave up and installed CleanMyMac in hopes to improve the situation and ran every single task possible. No change.

HELP PLEASE!

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Mar 4, 2024 12:59 AM

Top-ranking reply

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,598 points

Posted on Mar 4, 2024 11:26 PM

I see 2 major items.

First is CMM is still installed, that needs to be fixed first. Please download FindAnyFile and have it search for:

CleanMyMac
MacPaw

and ensure all of the offending files are moved to the Trash and the Trash is emptied.

Next the report indicates your HD is failing. I strongly recommend that you use an external SSD to replace your hybrid Fusion system. Directions for setting up an external SSD are in How to setup an external SSD as your startup disk. The external SSD I recommend that you use is a OWC Envoy Pro SX. This will dramatically improve performance. If you do not feel comfortable doing this, then please contact an independent Apple Authorized Service Provider and they will assist. Genuine Apple Stores will not do this type of work. If you don't know of any AASP's in your area please click Apple Authorized Service Provider Locator (AASP) & Genius Appointment to start finding one.

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iMac 27 is extremely slow despite replacing HDD with SSD

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