5K iMac HDD Upgrade

The only supported user accessible parts on 27" iMacs are RAM; if you make any modifications, you will void your warranty (which is not a really good idea). If you don't care about the warranty or it has expired, check out ifixit.com - they're a good source for this type of thing; as the machine is brand new, I don't think there would be many people here having attempted this at this point.

Sorry, no idea - unless someone here has already disassembled one, your best bet would be asking an AASP or, again, try ifixit.

Doubt they would make two different logic boards.

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+Retina+5K+Display+Teardown/30 260

I also am interested in finding someone who has done this; running two internal drives in their 5K iMac.

This seems promising...

iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 Teardown (late 2013 27" iMac)

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2639+Teardown/17828

"Budget-minded folks now can add a second hard drive to the base iMac because the Fusion Drive connector is no longer missing from the logic board."

Apple iMac "Core i7" 4.0 27-Inch (Retina 5K, 2014) Specs

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i7-4.0-27-inch-alumin um-retina-5k-late-2014-specs.html

*This model has a Serial ATA (6 Gb/s) connector for a 3.5" hard drive or SSD as well as a proprietary PCIe connector for a "blade" SSD.

and

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-aluminum-tapered-edge-faq/how-to -upgrade-imac-hard-drive-aluminum-2012-2…

By contrast, the 27-Inch "Late 2012", "Late 2013" and "Late 2014 (Retina/5K)" iMac models do have this connector on the motherboard even if the system only is configured with a hard drive at the time of purchase, so it is possible to add a PCIe-based "blade" SSD to these models after the initial system purchase.

Yes you can! I just installed a WDC 6TB RED into my 5K iMac 1TB SSD model. I had pickup all the parts including the HDD SATA cable (iFixit IF174-006-1), HDD mounting pins (eBay), the drive bracket (Amazon) and an adhesive pack (eBay). Firstly, I chose the WDC RED over Black for its low noise, low power and low heat. Anyone who has opened up an iMac knows that ventilation for a HDD is minimal at best.

After opening the case, I saw that the drive bracket was already in place. I removed the left speaker first to get at the left drive bracket mounting screws. I removed the right speaker to access bottom side of the logic board. I did not need to disassemble everything as shown on iFixit. There is about ¾" clearance between the logic board and the case. The SATA connector on the logic board is very close to the right edge of the logic board. I positioned the cable underneath the connector and used a plastic spudger below the cable to raise it and it "clicked" into place. I did the same for the power connector. I routed the cable below the fan, mounted the HDD onto the bracket, connected the drive cable and reassembled the speakers. Now I have a 5K iMac with 7TB of storage. The drive is near silent and fast (165MB/s R/W). Very happy with the install so far.

Cool, so you aren't concerned about the warranty either?

I believe it's safe to assume removing and re-installing the display was difficult, did you take photos of the process?

Very cool! I'm thinking about doing something similar. Could you provide some additional information about the mounting pins and drive bracket? Are these standard parts? Did you need the bracket or was there already one inside?

Am I worried about the warranty?? Absolutely!! I bought Apple Care that won't expire till 2017. The main reason for installing an internal HDD was speed. I take a lot of photos and was storing and working with them off a NAS which was way too slow. And there is no way I'm going to wait till my Apple Care expires in 2017 before doing something about it. I had briefly considered external storage but I like to keep my workspace as quiet as possible. And external enclosures without fans just burn themselves out prematurely. So I decided the best route is to install an HDD internally.

You are correct in assuming that removing and re-installing the LCD is the most difficult part. iFixit already provides a very thorough guide on removing the LCD. In a way, the 5K model's LCD is easier to remove as it only has two cables while the other iMacs models have four cables to remove and reattach. In removing the LCD, I just used a plastic pizza cutter from iFixit and proceeded to cut along the three sides. Once the adhesive is cut and I was able to lift the LCD and remove the two cables, the bottom is easy to remove. I've found an adhesive strip (about 1" long that was loose) on both sides and when I pulled it, the adhesive was removed cleanly across the bottom. Bonus!

Re-installing the LCD is tricky. I had applied the adhesive around the three sides of the frame (top and two sides) but did not remove the backing. The reason is that I want to make sure the drive is NOT DOA. None of the external enclosures nor drive docks support a 6TB drive so I have no way of testing to see if the drive is fully operational before I install it.

I applied the adhesive strips to the bottom of the LCD and ripped the backing off so it was ready to stick. I placed the LCD into position making sure to lay the LCD as flat with the iMac as possible minimizing the gap. The side to side alignment is also critical. And don't forget to reconnect the two cables before laying the LCD down on top of the iMac frame. Now I did NOT peel the backing off the three sides so only the bottom adhesive is holding the LCD to the iMac. I used two long strips of adhesive tape to temporarily hold the screen to the frame. After two days of intensive drive use, I remove the temporary tape from the top, pulled the screen forward by about ¼" and remove the adhesive backing on all three sides to seal the LCD permanently. Done!

Drive Mounting Pins:

If you look at this photo from iFixit, the HDD is held in place using four drive mounting pins (p/n 922-7001). I was lucky enough to find a set of two off eBay for $1.00 each. The seller turned out to be PowerBook Medic.

As I've mentioned before, the HDD mounting brackets were already installed in my 5K iMac. Remove the left speaker, remove the two screws off the left drive bracket and you're ready to mount the HDD. But before mounting the drive, be sure to install the HDD SATA cable.

The HDD has been in my iMac for several days now and I couldn't be happier. The entire procedure took about 1½ hours. Have fun!

Well, by installing the parts internally I would not take your machine to an Apple Store if any AppleCare service is required. Please read your AppleCare plan and you will see what is not covered includes:

"Expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”);"

If you do need AppleCare then my recommendation would be to take it to an AASP rather than an Apple Store directly.

If you need a copy of the plan, the US version is located at:

http://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/appmacnaen.html

Am I worried about the warranty?? Absolutely!! I bought Apple Care that won't expire till 2017

Unfortunately, you can stop worrying about it - you voided it. Here is a link to the standard warranty - not sure if those terms are superseded by the extended Applecare plan; however, both of them contain the clause that no one but Apple or an AASP should open or install anything (except RAM on the new 27" models):

http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/embedded-mac-warranty-us.html

This Warranty does not apply: (a) to consumable parts, such as batteries, unless failure has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship; (b) to cosmetic damage, including but not limited to scratches, dents and broken plastic on ports; (c) to damage caused by use with another product; (d) to damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, liquid contact, fire, earthquake or other external cause; (e) to damage caused by operating the Apple Product outside Apple’s published guidelines; (f) to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”); (g) to an Apple Product that has been modified to alter functionality or capability without the written permission of Apple; (h) to defects caused by normal wear and tear or otherwise due to the normal aging of the Apple Product, or ℹ if any serial number has been removed or defaced from the Apple Product.:

I do not know if any AASP will perform a service on an Apple product which has been opened by the consumer (Apple will not).

Apple will work on a machine that has been opened by a consumer. I had a 2010 27" iMac that I had replaced the HDD with an SSD and there was no issue getting them to replace a bad video card. Granted in that case there was no Apple Care to void. I specifically asked about this and was told that as long as the part was not damaged by your work that they would cover it. That was in Canada (BC) and so YMMV depending on the laws around warranty coverage in your area.

Yours was a 2010; the new iMacs' screens are glued to the slim body and are much more difficult to open. Apple may or may not perform work on a machine that has been worked on by the consumer - it is at their discretion; the language is in the warranty so they are legally able to say that they will not and that is what I choose to quote here as I do not work for Apple and/or their legal department and cannot predict what they may or may not do. Just because they decided to work on one does not mean it is universal.

Nope...never said it was universal (that's why I said "YMMV"). I'm just pointing out it's not black and white and that they very well can, and will (when they choose to), work on a machine that has been previously worked on by the consumer. I'm glad you agree.

Do not use Fusion Drive OS. You will run in irreparable issues after a certain time.

Use the drives "as is" with a normal version of OS on the SSD.