iMac mid 2010 HDD replacement for an SSD

Question

Level 1

9 points

iMac mid 2010 HDD replacement for an SSD

Hi

After some thought, (mainly while waiting for my iMac to start up!), I have decided to replace the HDD with an SSD. After doing some research and watching some YouTube videos I'm not sure if I may have purchased the right tools for the job. Could someone please help me out and let me know if I'm not on the right track here.

The iMac in question is a mid 2010 27" model.

Here are the items I have on order:

Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD
OWC In-Line Thermal Sensor HDD upgrade 2009-2010 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B017OEQKV2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie= UTF8&psc=1
Kingston Technology 2.5-3.5 inch bracket and screws for SSD- https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DGL2X7I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie= UTF8&psc=1
2 x Gigabyte High Quality Original SATA 3 6GB/s cable - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BBYOD3E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie= UTF8&psc=1

I've also ordered some suction cups and the relevant screwdrivers.

I plan on completely removing the current HD and replacing it with the new SSD. Am I right in assuming I'll just remove the current thermal sensor cable and replace it with the OWC one? I'm not really 100% on this.

Cheers in advance

Ian

iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), OS X El Capitan (10.11.2), null

Posted on May 25, 2016 2:22 PM

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Answer 1

samtenor

Level 4

2,074 points

May 27, 2016 8:17 AM in response to IanOwen

Yes, you just remove the thermal sensor and place the OWC in line sensor (the self-adhesive pad can be placed on the 2.5-2.5 bracket (since SSD will not have much heat). The longer one cable needs to be re-attached the the logic board.

The only suggestion I have, would be - you likely will not need the SATA cables for this HDD --> SSD upgrade, the line-line thermal sensor is long enough -- actually, too long that I had to squeeze them to be fit in iMac. Unless you plan to add another SSD in the system, since 2010 iMac using SATA 2 (3 GB/s speed).

Good luck

Sam

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Answer 2

Dec 20, 2016 11:40 AM in response to prototype.santos

Mid 2010,

21.5"

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2389+Hard+Drive+Replacemen t/6284

27"

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2390+Hard+Drive+Replacement/ 8919

You will need a temp sensor...

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD09/

and an 2.5 to 3.5 adapter bracket..

Careful on your choice of SSD,

you have a SATA II interface on the Mid 2010 iMacs.

Only a few are known to downshift from SATA III to SATA II...

OWC has SATA II SSD's...

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac-21.5-inch/2010

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Answer 3

IanOwen Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2016 9:16 AM in response to samtenor

Thanks for your reply Sam.

I just went ahead and replaced it this morning. I had the same trouble as you trying to squeeze the cables in. I didn't bother replacing the SATA cable either.

Everything is running smooth. It's like a new machine. You don't really notice how loud a hard disk is until it's gone do you!

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Answer 4

Dec 20, 2016 8:27 AM in response to IanOwen

Was there a specific tutorial you followed for this job? Looking to get this done without a hitch. I was told that the hdd manufacturer had to be the same as the replacement for this to work, did you have trouble with this?

Thanks.

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