M.2 SSD with Late 2015 iMac27 5k with 3,2 GHz i5

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iMac Intel 27" Retina 5K Display (Late 2014 & 2015)

Model A1419 / EMC 2806 / Late 2014 or Mid 2015. 3.3 or 3.5 GHz Core i5 or 4.0 GHz Core i7 (ID iMac15,1); EMC 2834 late 2015 / 3.3 or 3.5 GHz Core i5 or 4.0 GHz Core i7 (iMac17,1) All with Retina 5K displays

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Alican @alican43

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Postado: 26 de mar de 2019

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M.2 SSD with Late 2015 iMac27 5k with 3,2 GHz i5

I want to upgrade my 1 TB Fusion Drive to SSD.

Majority is suggesting that I do it with Samsung 860 EVO because Samsung 970 EVO has M.2 and that is not compatible with my iMac.

But there’s too much performance difference between Samsung 860 EVO and Samsung 970 EVO. Can someone enlighten me in detail:

1) Is it doable ? How can it be done ?

2) When done, will there be any issues that would effect the daily usage of my iMac?

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Dan @danj

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Apple uses a custom SSD which while similar to the M.2 blade drives but are different!

Here’s a good reference: The Ultimate Guide to Apple’s Proprietary SSDs

Here’s the guide you’ll need to follow: iMac Intel 27" Retina 5K Display Blade SSD Replacement and here’s one source of the correct SSD BeetsTech - 512 GB PCIe 2.0 x2 SSD drive

But! Before you even open the system you’ll need to break the Fusion Drive set following this guide: How to split up a Fusion Drive

As far as performance differences between Samsung 860 EVO Vs Samsung 970 EVO has to do with the different drive interfaces between the drives and the technical improvements within the drive its self. Lastly, the number of lanes the drive offers and what the system can support. Your system only supports two PCI/e/NVMe lanes.

In any case … Given the difficulty getting to the systems SSD connector I strongly recommend you stick with the proper Apple SSD. I know some folks have fitted M.2 SSD’s into MacBook Pro’s. We gave it a try and I’ll tell you its not worth it! Too many issues some you just can’t over come.

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So even if I get the 970Evo working, I won't be able to get its proper performance...

What about Samsung 860 Evo? I understand that correct SSD will work best but there is too much difference of price. How would it perform with my iMac?

26 de mar de 2019 por Alican

Its not worth it! Stick with the Apple SSD's

If you really want super performance then get an external Thunderbolt SSD RAID box, then your system will scream!!

Here's one option OWC Express 4M2. You'll need a TB3 to TB2 adapter cable.

The TB2 I/O is faster than the internal two lane PCIe/NVMe slot.

26 de mar de 2019 por Dan

I am sorry to ask again but if you could elaborate on this in lay men's terms, I'd appreciate it a lot. As I will not do this ssd replacement by myself and I will get help from Apple approved technical service. They keep suggesting that I use Samsung 860 Evo and that it will work best with my system. Although I do some 4K video editing time to time, I am, what you call a home user. So I am not sure if I am looking for a big speed up as OWC Express 4M2 would provide.

And I'd appreciate it a lot if you can tell me why it is not worth to use 860 Evo in detail. According to The Ultimate Guide to Apple’s Proprietary SSDs, I should be able to use it without a problem. As I mentioned before there is too much of a price difference

Thank you very much for your attention

26 de mar de 2019 por Alican

I've been working on PC's & Mac's for over 40 plus years. Take the time to review my history and the other questions I've answered here. I likely have more experience then your friends.

Take the time to re-read the guide I pointed you do. There is no EVO drives listed in the guide. For reference I quote: Apple has still never used a standard M.2 connector from the guide.

Samsung just happens to be the company Apple contracted with to make their custom drives.

I personally would not install a M.2 SSD into an iMac and I still wouldn't recommend them in even in a MacBook Pro. But, at least it's a lot less work to take them out when they fail unlike the iMac's. So far this year I've pulled 3 M.2 SSD's out of MacBook Pro's due to drive failure!

M.2 SSD's are very good in systems which are designed to support them. This is not a system designed to support them.

Yes, there is a price difference!

Lets put this into perspective ... You have a beutiful Bugatti Veyron would you take it to the local Jiffy Lube for an oil & filter change? I highly doubt it! Just the oil filter for this car is close to $100 alone! Sometimes you have to pay to get what your car (iMac) needs. Sorry, Apple's bleeding edge tech just costs more.

26 de mar de 2019 por Dan

That is what I wanted to hear, thank you very much! I appreciate it a lot

26 de mar de 2019 por Alican

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So even if I get the 970Evo working, I won't be able to get its proper performance...

What about Samsung 860 Evo? I understand that correct SSD will work best but there is too much difference of price. How would it perform with my iMac? — Alican
Its not worth it! Stick with the Apple SSD's

If you really want super performance then get an external Thunderbolt SSD RAID box, then your system will scream!!

Here's one option OWC Express 4M2. You'll need a TB3 to TB2 adapter cable.

The TB2 I/O is faster than the internal two lane PCIe/NVMe slot. — Dan
I am sorry to ask again but if you could elaborate on this in lay men's terms, I'd appreciate it a lot. As I will not do this ssd replacement by myself and I will get help from Apple approved technical service. They keep suggesting that I use Samsung 860 Evo and that it will work best with my system. Although I do some 4K video editing time to time, I am, what you call a home user. So I am not sure if I am looking for a big speed up as OWC Express 4M2 would provide.

And I'd appreciate it a lot if you can tell me why it is not worth to use 860 Evo in detail. According to The Ultimate Guide to Apple’s Proprietary SSDs, I should be able to use it without a problem. As I mentioned before there is too much of a price difference

Thank you very much for your attention — Alican
I've been working on PC's & Mac's for over 40 plus years. Take the time to review my history and the other questions I've answered here. I likely have more experience then your friends.

Take the time to re-read the guide I pointed you do. There is no EVO drives listed in the guide. For reference I quote: Apple has still never used a standard M.2 connector from the guide.

Samsung just happens to be the company Apple contracted with to make their custom drives.

I personally would not install a M.2 SSD into an iMac and I still wouldn't recommend them in even in a MacBook Pro. But, at least it's a lot less work to take them out when they fail unlike the iMac's. So far this year I've pulled 3 M.2 SSD's out of MacBook Pro's due to drive failure!

M.2 SSD's are very good in systems which are designed to support them. This is not a system designed to support them.

Yes, there is a price difference!

Lets put this into perspective ... You have a beutiful Bugatti Veyron would you take it to the local Jiffy Lube for an oil & filter change? I highly doubt it! Just the oil filter for this car is close to $100 alone! Sometimes you have to pay to get what your car (iMac) needs. Sorry, Apple's bleeding edge tech just costs more. — Dan
That is what I wanted to hear, thank you very much! I appreciate it a lot — Alican

iMac Intel 27" Retina 5K Display (Late 2014 & 2015)

M.2 SSD with Late 2015 iMac27 5k with 3,2 GHz i5

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