970 evo mac pro

I don't think the original High Sierra 10.13.6 firmware update support NVMe but it is possible a subsequent Security update added this and/or a Mojave firmware update. I would guess Apple silently added support at the same time they did so for the round Mac Pro.

This is an unexpected present from Apple, shame they did not publicise it. :)

There seem to be two types of heatsink. There is one that comes as part of the PCIe adapter and seems to be bigger, and one that is a clip on accessory for any M2 SSD including those directly mounted on logic boards like the Mac Pro 2013.

See this one - https://www.solidstatedriveshop.com/sintech-m-2ngff-m-key-pci-e-ssd-to-pcie-x4-adapter-card-for-samsung-xp941-mzhpu/

and this one - https://www.scan.co.uk/products/ekwb-ek-m2-nvme-heatsink-black-ribbed-aluminium-design-provides-passive-cooling-to-m2-2280-pcie-sata

Note: I would expect in both cases you need to use either heatsink compound or some kind of double-sided thermal tape to ensure a good thermal bond between the chips and the heatsink.

Obviously if the SSD is already hot it will take a little while to cool down but if it was that hot you probably would not have been able to touch it to fit a heatsink.

Such heat build up usually only occurs whilst the SSD is being actively and presumably heavily used, one would expect that when idling it does not produce as much heat. If used as a boot drive then of course it is likely to be used all the time to some degree.

Your report is showing no errors so you may be fine. Here is a comment from someone who bought the same heatsink as you.

I got the Samsung 960 Pro and it fits on it, so the Evo should be fine. 

To install it you "sandwitch" it: heatsink bottom, the included thermal pad, NVME drive, another thermal pad, heatsink top, and hold it together with the clips on the side (use a tweezer/screwdriver to lift the clip in place). 

Be careful how you align the heatsink, so it doesn't cover the connectors, or the screw on the other side, make sure the screw can completely reach the nvme drive and the bottom of the heatsink doesn't interfere. I got it wrong the first time I mounted it, but was pretty easy to take it off, align it carefully so the heatsink doesn't extend beyond the connectors/mounting scew and then it was a perfect fit. 

The heatsink definetely makes a difference: without it the SM960 Pro would start to reduce speed (thermal throttle) when running a benchmark, with the heatsink on it kept running at full speed without thermal throttling.

The Sintech didn’t explain his recommendation to use the Intel. I did install the 670p 1TB retail $160 and I am pretty pleased. Without a heatsink it never went beyond 56c. Idle was 36c. That’s a far cry from my 970. That said it’s not quite as fast, but close with a potential shorter life expectancy. Still having a 5 year warranty it’s a good buy. I got a1tb for the price of a Samsung 500gb.

So far, I like it!

I have a 2013 Mac Pro. I've installed the Samsung 970 EVO via the Sintech M.2 Adapter. It works with absolutely 0 issues. Hitting around 1500mb/s read and 1350mb/s write so it is significantly quicker (and cheaper) than the Apple OEM drive.

I did read that some people had issues with firmware updates during OS installs. I tested mine going from High Sierra to Mojave and had absolutely no issue whatsoever. It works exactly the same as the OEM drive. Your mileage may vary but its been great for me so far!

https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2016-2013-2015/dp/B07FYY3H5F/ref=pd_bxgy_147_3/261-5856238-7470418?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07FYY3H5F&pd_rd_r=573cdc6c-2803-11e9-afa8-81715460dc49&pd_rd_w=ANIZh&pd_rd_wg=kgCZG&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=G7MM1CC990NR0YB8SFT6&psc=1&refRID=G7MM1CC990NR0YB8SFT6

Hello, Smokerz,

How about your setup of the 970 evo Mac Pro 2013?

I recently got a "No SSD" Mac Pro 2013, I insert an Intel 760p (500GB) with adaptor, and run High Sierra USB installer.

It detected the Intel SSD. But by mistake, I chose "Journelized" format, and proceed installaton. OSX quit the progress after short while of reboot.

I have erased the volume and re-formatted with AFPS, but the formatted volume cannot be chosed on beginning.

I noted some guy have said "new" MAC PRO only accept Apple SSD arround the time:

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/521612/Mac+Pro+(Late+2013)+Won%27t+Boot+but+Appears+in+Disk+Utility

Is it really the case.

Your comment is welcome.

Regards,

Ben (from Hong Kong SAR - NOT MAINLAND CHINA)

Thanks,

The installer should be alright, since I have used it to flesh install High Sierra into several old MacBook Pros (Retina 2012 & N-R 2011) & iMac (pre 2011).

And the OSX version is 10.13.4.

Or is it my 760p is faulty (cannot white in some logic area)?

Regards,

How did the MP get to 10.13.4? E.g. did it go through the noram update via Mac App Stre.

What was the format of that SSD at that time?

I would try reformatting as Mac OS Extended Journaled and try installing again.

A normal update to High Sierra included updating the Mac's firmware that included the ability read/write APFS. Updating to HIgh Sierra would also convert the Journaled file system to APFS.

Ben, are you using this adapter? https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2016-2013-2015/dp/B07FYY3H5F/ref=pd_bxgy_147_3/261-5856238-7470418

i have tried this adapter with Samsung 960 eco, 970 evo, Intel 660p, 760p, all work without issues. All adapters are not created equal.

Ben, before you inserted that NVMe make sure you install either High Sierra latest version or Mojave so you get firmware updater to 127.0.0.0.0 or 128.0.0.0.0

once that is done then insert the NVMe into that 2013 Mac Pro. but make sure you use the sintech adaptor -c

Thanks, all,

Your guy always helpful.

I made another USB installer (this time with Mojave!), and got the same outcome. Intel 760p SSD is detected and can be formatted, but cannot write on it.

I suspect the nMP may be not being updated its firmware to High Sierra. I may need to fetch a apple SSD to verify and update.....

Anyways, thanks a lot.

Regards,

Ben (again, from Hong Kong SAR - NOT MAINLAND CHINA)

Update.........

After inserting Apple SSD and update the firemware of my "diskless" Mac Pro 2013.

Intel 760p is recognized, and installation of Mojave can go ahead.

And it is noted disk formating in "MacOS Extended (Journaled)" at the beginning is no harm, as Mojave will convert it to APFS thereafter.

Thanka a lot.

Ben

First, I want to thank all you guys for documenting this. We have 7 Late 2013 Mac Pro's in our studios and HDD space was getting tight to say the least. I have been looking for options and I like this one best. I have done all the updates and verifications and all are at boot ROM 127.0.0.0.0. I was getting read to start one but wanted to ask this question first. I bought 7 1TB Samsung M.2 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSDs and their corresponding Sintech adapter. I also bought an external NVMe enclosure to test all the SSD's before sticking them in permanently. Once I got one installed in the small enclosure and attached to the Mac Pro, of course it shows up, can be formatted with any of the available formats from APFS to Journaled, etc. I thought, why not clone my current default SSD to the new NVMe drive, ensure its bootable (by selecting it in System Preferences > Startup Disk), THEN do the hardware upgrade. Is this an option at all? I didn't see any one mention it as an option. I ask because we do have a tremendous amount of software on these systems; some software is HD authorized and others require USB dongles and such. If installing from scratch is the only option, I have to get some weekend downtime for these systems.

Let me know your thoughts on this.

Thanks

Dray @ New Ocean

I've read and re-read this post and still can't understand exactly your plan. Testing all those NVMes is a waste of time. Either they work or don't and most likely if your firmware is good and the sun tech is correct ending in -c then the Samsungs are going to function properly. As far as cloning just try it on one machine and see if it works or what the issues are....simplify the project. I swap my Mac Pro 2013 with three different internal drives, the original SSD , an SSD from a late 2015 rMBPro and the 970 NVMe. They all work all the time. I did not try a closing or migration because I don't care for the migration. I've never had a migration which did not cause some kind of situation so I do nothing but clean installs.