Is it possible to install 2 500gb sdd's into a 2012 iMac?
I'm thinking of buying an iMac and wondered if this is possible?
Thanks
Spencer
MacBook Pro
not with the new models that come with no optical drive.
20 replies
Thanks.
Are the 3tb fusion drives only one physical drive then? Opposed to being one hdd and a separate ssd..?
Spencer
Two separate drives... one is a ssd and the other drive is a spinning drive.
Ok, yes I thought so.
And is the ssd a standard 2.5" one that can be replaced like any other drive? I keep reading that fusion drive uses a blade ssd (which means nothing to me....).
It would be great to get the 768GB option ssd from Apple and then put in an additional 500GB for the second internal drive.
Thanks David, I appreciate you can only BUY it that way from Apple but I am in need of pushing the spec further in terms of spec since Apple have taken their time releasing the new mac pro.
I'm happy to invalidate my warranty if necessary to achieve the spec I need for my work. I would like to know (in theory) if both parts of the fusion drive can be replaced with standard 2.5" ssd's?
Thanks again
Spencer
I had a quick look on their site and the comparison checker didn't really give me impression they would support it.
Thanks for your help David.
Does anybody else have any experience or knowledge with regards to this subject?
I've just read here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1520501
that an external ssd can be as fast as an internal and that osx can boot from the external. So I guess there is little point in going to the trouble of ripping an imac apart when the external boot ssd drive can be velcro'd to the back (apart from aesthetics).
Please please correct me if im wrong or am I missing something here..?
Could anyone verfify that external ssds are as fast as internals and recommend a killer combinniation of drive and caddy that will garauntee these speeds?
Thanks
Spencer
Only if the internal HD is slower than the external HD. I see no benefit trying to make these new Macs go faster. The Mac boots and loads apps faster (big deal). It's the read and write speed of the hard drive you should be concerned with...
AnyWho... Your only going to gain little trying to make the new the iMacs go faster. Your best bet is to build a Window computer to act as mini main-frame.
These forums are for technical questions or questions about a problems with the OS or Mac computer. These forums aren't really meant for building supercomputers or what ifs. There are other sites on the web for this... Google is your friend.
As David said before me, there are other sites on the web for modifying your mac.
And to answer your question, with my experience: It is not possible.
If you want a computer that has 2,5-TB of internal-space, you have to build a normal pc. Why would you need that much space anyway? If you are going to fill your computer with illegal movies, it's easier and cheaper just to buy an external drive and put all exces stuff there. That way your iMac stays cleaner and faster.
I know what you're saying these forums are not for building super computers. Lots of us have been left in a sticky situation with apples slow release of the new mac pros. We need to make the best up-to date decisions about performance in order to run software which was essentially designed for mac pros or similar machines.
A Windows only machine is unfortunately not an option for me.
What I would like to find out (google not being very friendly on this topic) is, is the 768gb just one drive or a combination of two?
If it us two can I install boot camp on the blade drive and boot Mac OS off an external drive, thus leaving the remainder of the non blade space for project files (which will sync with my private cloud better than external storage would).
If the 768gb drive is all on blade does that leave space in the iMac for another drive (in theory)?
Be sure to read the Fusion Drive FAQso you understand what and and cannot be done with that configuration...it is very fast but has limitations in how it can be partitioned and used with external drives. While some users attempt to setup their own Fusion type-drive, the Disk Utility version that comes with the Mac OS X on a Fusion Drive machine is unique so you will not be able to do everything on your own Fusion-like system.
The iMac with a 768 SSD and a fast external, i.e., Thundeerbolt drive is going to be a very quick machine, especially if you are looking for a stop-gap until/if there is a new Mac Pro.
Thanks for reply Ralph. I'm not thinking I'd need to consider the fusion solution. From the description on the apple store it sounds like the 768gb doesn't use it, understandably I guess. Do you know if its one physical drive?
Is it possible to install 2 500gb sdd's into a 2012 iMac?