Upgrade iMac late 2009 with SSD
I've thinking to upgrade my iMac late 2009 with an SSD. Its has a SATA II port and now uses a HD Hitachi 7200rpm. In your opinions, if I'll upgrade, I can see an increase of performance or not? In my project i've thinking to put SSD (250GB) in HD slot and buy an external case for HD in order to store photos and other big files.
Surfing online I've found some forums talk about temperature sensor on HD. I didn't understand which problem there are with this component. Can you explain me if there are problems?
Solution 1:
Here are some points from my Upgrade of my old iMac (late 2009, Model 10,1, #A1312)
You can expect a significant Performance increase when starting Apps or saving Data, but overall-performance is depends on you RAM size too. If you are working with Photoshop f.e. you should def. have more than 8GB (on 10.10) - the more the better.
You will encounter Problems with the Heat-Sensor. Apple uses a non-standard 3-Pin on the Hitachi HD to access the Heat-Sensor build into the Drive. Other HD or SSD will not have that, so you cannot connect the Heat-Sensor to the Mainboard. The result: the OS will turn up the Fan speed to a maximum, which is annoyingly loud. You can counter that effect with an additional Software to control the Fan speed, f.e. 'HDD-Fan Control' or 'iStat-Menu‘ and others.
In order to fasten the SSD, usually in a 2,5" Format, into the internal 3,5-Slot of the iMac you need a Frame for the SSD. Annoyingly some of the Frames have Screw-Slots in which the Apple Srews do not fit. You should read the excellent visual Tutorial from iFixit for replacing the HDD (Link is for my Model, check your Model before attempting to follow it).
Conclusion: even though it's a PITA, i never regretted doing it.
Solution 2:
I have an iMac late 2009 (21.5") and just replaced the HDD by a Crucial SSD - MX200 with 500 GB. The instalation was easy because the connectors just fitted without issues. I had an bay bracked from Sabrent (model BK-HDDH) that makes very easy to fit. It will also work if you use a double sided tape to fix the SSD in place. I use the app SSD Fan Control to reduce the fan speed and it works like charm.
Very happy with the result as all the operations are now much faster than before. My next objective is to move the SSD to the optical bay and put an HDD back but I am still looking for an nice adapter for the slimline SATA conector.