Level 1

9 points

2009 iMac Upgrade Question

I have a 2009 iMac (20") with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB RAM, 640GB SATA HDD, and running OS X 10.9.5. I know this machine is "old," but I want to upgrade a new OS and get some speed back (lots of spinning beach ball, especially using Safari). I'm getting the runaround from the folks at the local Simply Mac store, who are pushing me to buy a new system. I'm thinking with a newer hard drive - especially SSD - I can upgrade to El Capitan and extend the life of this wonderful machine...especially since I can't afford or justify the new purchase at this time. Your thoughts?

Posted on May 26, 2016 2:45 PM

Top-ranking reply

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Posted on May 30, 2016 7:10 AM

DBoyer, the max Ram is indeed 8GB (also in Mactracker) for your iMac 2009 20".

Easy to upgrade (contrary to the latest iMac models). And cheap, see the OWC and Crucial sites, only the exact specs, important !.

The SSD will absolutely be a stunning improvement, the connection is Sata 3Gpbs, all new Sata SSDs are 6Gbps but downwards compatible; It is relatively easy to install. You buy the SSD a well known brand to be sure, put it in a housing with USB connector, connect it, Partition/Format it (1 partition) with GUID PartitionTable OS X Extended (journaled). Then download CarbonCopyCloner, the trial version will do, and make a clone to the new disk including the RecoveryPartition (CCC will ask you for it). then shutdown the mac, start it while holding the Alt/option key, select the connected SSD to start from, and start, when every works OK, shutdown. Switch the inside disk with the SSD. Start and be surprised...

Note 1: on iFixit and OWC there are instructions for opening and removing the disk

Note 2: Do not install the Trim command (a lot of people will tell you that it is necesary for SSD lifetime and speed, it is not), because in contrary with an Apple branded SSD the Trim command may cause issues for the (inside) SSD controller (the Apple branded have a specially adapted Controller)

Note 3: in the use of the SSD let there be more free space than is necessary for normal HDDs, I advice 25+ GB (that is to speedy up the 'Garbage Collection' on the SSD).

Note 4: if your 2009 iMac is in good condition, I certainly think its worth it...

Lex

Edit:

Note 5: the best is just switch the disks. The speed will be 3Gbps, because that is the speed your bus-connector can handle. Of course, as Glenn says, buy a good brand SSD: Crucial, OWC, Samsung 850 (not 840), Sandisk. The same goes for the Ram: only a good brand (Crucial, OWC).

Note 6: I have done this a lot of times in MacbookPros, and used the CDreader slot to put the existing harddisk in, but that harddisk is old (for a HD) and thus I put in a new HD, 1or 2 TB, in lately)

Note 7: the SSDs and HDs should be the Sata 2.5" versions.

Lex

Edit:

Note 8: I use CCC as a backup clone from the SSD to HDD inside: this is a real backup, and you can start from it when there is an issue with the main startup disk.

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25 replies

May 30, 2016 10:09 AM in response to Lexiepex

Then you need to take that argument up with OWC. It's their warning and I've seen others install that drive and were limited to the 1.5 link speed because they didn't read the warnings from OWC.

And I've stated on several posts that the warning applies to OWC's brand and may not apply to other brands. I don't know what brands your family is using, but that may well be true in those cases if they are not using OWC Mercury brand.

Also, in your previous post you said this:

Most 6Gbps SSDs will throttle Sata1 because they only one step downwards compatible.... The OP's Mac is Sata2: 3Gbps. 6Gbps is called Sata 3.

So you are contradiction your own statements also.

May 30, 2016 11:28 AM in response to Lexiepex

Lexiepex wrote:

Hi Glenn, that may be a good idea, but I sofar have never used a Mercury SSD. Only Samsung , Sandisk, Crucial...

Then you don't have to worry about that limitation. 🙂

DBoyer Author

Level 1

9 points

May 30, 2016 6:16 AM in response to SeaPapp

Thanks, Mike, that's encouraging. According to specs, my iMac will only accept up to 8GB of RAM. I remember from my PC days being able to install and utilize more RAM than the machine specs called for. Is that the case with your iMac, or did your specs state that it was configurable to 16GB?

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,492 points

May 30, 2016 6:24 AM in response to DBoyer

A Core 2 Duo Mac can only use up to 8Gb of ram, mine is an i5 model which can use up to 32 Gb. You said you have a 20" model which should make yours a mid or early 2009 model correct? If it's a late 2009 21.5" it can use up to 16Gb of ram.

DBoyer Author

Level 1

9 points

May 30, 2016 10:53 AM in response to Glenn Leblanc

The OP has indeed gained a great deal of information from this thread. My concerns over upgrading to El Capitan appear to have been without merit. I will be replacing my HDD with SSD, upgrading my RAM, and with the money I'll be saving by doing it myself (as opposed to Simply Mac's installation of just the SSD), I will also put in a new optical drive!

You guys are great, and I REALLY appreciate all your help, knowledge, and expertise! Enjoy your Memorial Day!

Dale

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

May 30, 2016 8:12 AM in response to Glenn Leblanc

Most 6Gbps SSDs will throttle Sata1 because they only one step downwards compatible.... The OP's Mac is Sata2: 3Gbps. 6Gbps is called Sata 3.

It is really confusing sometimes.

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

May 30, 2016 11:24 AM in response to Glenn Leblanc

Hi Glenn, that may be a good idea, but I sofar have never used a Mercury SSD. Only Samsung , Sandisk, Crucial...

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

May 30, 2016 11:28 AM in response to DBoyer

I enjoyed today, but in Europe there is no Memorial Day.

I speak for all,

our pleasure.

🙂

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

May 30, 2016 11:31 AM in response to SeaPapp

Yes, it is always the SSD Controller problem, the Samsung (Sandforce variation) on the Samsung 840 is the same problem.

Very good remark, Mike...

Appreciated.

Lex

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

May 30, 2016 11:33 AM in response to Glenn Leblanc

Glenn, there was a reason for it: I can not prove that you should avoid the M3G...

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2009 iMac Upgrade Question