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Available: iMac 8.1 21", early 2008. I want to replace dvd-drive with new ssd but not sure if its possible. Today i read that dvd drive connect with IDE so i cant do this. Or i can buy adapter IDE/SATA. If its so i need 12.7 or 9.5? So where is the truth? Is anybody do this in this model? thnx in advance.
Sorry to say you’re between a rock and a hard place here ;-( The optical drive your system has uses a PATA connection to the logic board so it’s painfully slow! While a second HD would work here (2.5" 7.5mm high) as additional storage it would not be very effective as the boot drive. So your choices here are replace the HD for a SSD, or go with a SSHD hybrid drive which I think is the better move. Here’s what I recommend: Seagate Destop SSHD. I would recommend sticking with the 1 TB drive as I doubt you need that much storage. Here’s the IFIXIT guide to replace your drive: iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Hard Drive Replacement. If you deside to go with the SSD instead, you’ll need a adapter frame to hold the 2.5" SSD in the HD’s 3.5" bay. Lastly remember to trasfer the thermal sensor over as the system needs it.
