Upgrade MacBook to NVMe SSD

If you want to upgrade your MacBook SSD before, you have only 1 choice - AHCI SSD, however, after Apple launch macOS High Sierra, there is a possibility that you can upgrade your MacBook to NVMe SSD, NVMe SSD is cheaper and faster than AHCI SSD, moreover, it's hard to find an AHCI SSD in the market now.

!!! Important Note !!!
Not all MacBook can use NVMe SSD, please be considerate before take action, any wrong step may result damage of your device, even you are successful upgrade your SSD, there still have potential problem exist, please ask more and check internet before action. And DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK!

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This video is part of the NVMe SSD upgrade video series, it's about the upgrade procedure of NVMe SSD, I'll list all items I mentioned in the video for your reference.


0. The correct Boot ROM version is MBP121.0171.B00

1. For how to make a bootable macOS High Sierra USB
https://youtu.be/JSeWxsaRkFQ

2. For how to make a bootable Ubuntu USB
https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-macos#0

3. Screwdriver, I highly recommend you check with ifixit.com about
which screwdriver should use on your MacBook

P5 T6 Philips TriWing
http://amzn.to/2njaRtN

P5 T5
http://amzn.to/2i7tpI0

If you want to buy the video's one, please check below, but it's a chinese page (Pro'skit SD-9857M)
https://goo.gl/CdPkET

4. NVMe SSD 及 Adapter
For the NVMe SSD, I highly recommend you use SM951 or SM961 or 960 EVO/PRO Series (SM961 is new version of SM951, and 960 is box set version), because Samsung SSD is more stable, fast and cheap, but the only problem for Samsung SSD is it's hot, as shown in the video.

Therefore, I gathered another SSD (Toshiba, Kingston, AData) that can be used without heat problem (but relative slow in write).

Please be reminded that, if your MacBook is older, you should check the highest bandwidth of your machine, even you buy the fastest model, because of the bottle neck of your PCIe lane, you can't enjoy the performance of your new SSD.


I listed the SSD here for your reference
(Please choose the correct SSD volume inside the link)


Samsung 960 Pro NVMe SSD
http://amzn.to/2i6gh5R
512GB Max R : 3500 MB/s Max W : 2100 MB/s
1TB Max R : 3500 MB/s Max W : 2100 MB/s
2TB Max R : 3500 MB/s Max W : 2100 MB/s

Samsung 960 Evo NVMe SSD
http://amzn.to/2jAdGlh
250GB Max R : 3200 MB/s Max W : 1500 MB/s
500GB Max R : 3200 MB/s Max W : 1900 MB/s
1TB Max R : 3200 MB/s Max W : 1900 MB/s

Samsung 970 Evo NVMe SSD
https://amzn.to/2OIbkOX
250GB Max R : 3400 MB/s Max W : 1500 MB/s
500GB Max R : 3400 MB/s Max W : 2300 MB/s
1TB Max R : 3400 MB/s Max W : 2500 MB/s
2TB Max R : 3500 MB/s Max W : 2500 MB/s

Toshiba RD400
https://amzn.to/2HyPbDU
128GB Max R : 2200 MB/s Max W : 620 MB/s
256GB Max R : 2600 MB/s Max W : 1150 MB/s
512GB Max R : 2600 MB/s Max W : 1600 MB/s
1TB Max R : 2600 MB/s Max W : 1550 MB/s

Kingston A1000
https://amzn.to/2Jj6fd9
240GB Max R : 1500 MB/s Max W : 800 MB/s
480GB Max R : 1500 MB/s Max W : 900 MB/s
960GB Max R : 1500 MB/s Max W : 1000 MB/s

Kingston KC1000
https://amzn.to/2HkPcXH
240GB Max R : 2700 MB/s Max W : 900 MB/s
480GB Max R : 2700 MB/s Max W : 1600 MB/s
960GB Max R : 2700 MB/s Max W : 1600 MB/s

AData SX6000
https://amzn.to/2k9LlTt
128GB Max R : 730 MB/s Max W : 660 MB/s
256GB Max R : 1000 MB/s Max W : 800 MB/s
512GB Max R : 1000 MB/s Max W : 800 MB/s
https://amzn.to/2s3szAT
1TB Max R : 1000 MB/s Max W : 800 MB/s


Adapter
Since Chenyang Adapter have some compatibility issues, therefore, if you are near China market, you can try chenyang (it's very cheap), otherwise, I recommend you use Sintech instead.

Sintech (if your MB is 2013/14, this adapter is a better choice, please be reminded that, blinking folder may appear after restart no matter which adapter or SSD you are using, Mar 2018)
http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1143.html


5. Apple Original SSD
You are require to upgrade the Boot ROM version with the original Apple SSD, some cases from the internet tells they can't upgrade with non-apple SSD, please notice on it.

Here are the product help you recycle your old SSD
External USB box (Very Expensive)
http://amzn.to/2FzfLLX

PCIe adapter
http://amzn.to/2nj1biX

6. Speed test App - Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
https://itunes.apple.com/hk/app/blackmagic-disk-speed-test/id425264550?l=zh&mt=12


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Related videos :
Preparation of MacBook NVMe SSD Upgrade
https://youtu.be/5Eh-igZrCMU
How to make a Bootable macOS High Sierra USB
https://youtu.be/35h3lS4giv4
Upgrade MacBook to NVMe SSD
https://youtu.be/wfu-mZCIlYk


Credit:
"Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

#macbook #ssd #nvme