neillaubenthal

Normally I would agree with you that an SSD is a worthwhile upgrade…but in this case the bus speed, CPU, GPU, network, wifi, and everything else about the machine is just too slow for it to be worth spending any money on. One could replace…potentially…the internal drive but the SSD part of the fusion drive is soldered or socketed and isn't a today's standard SSD and the spinning drive is IDE…so replacing the internal drive(s) with a modern SSD isn't possible…wrong connectors and interface type. One could plug in an external SSD…but the ports are Thunderbolt 2 and USB A 3.0…so the performance of something like an OWC SSD would be severely handicapped. Faster than what is in there now yes…but fast nope.

It's time to upgrade…if you see my other reply I'm moving LR from a 2019 iMac that has USB C and TB3 because the M1 Pro MBP blows it away…heck, even my wife's original M1 nothing MacBook Air is considerably faster than a 3 year old Intel iMac…so 8 years it'[s time for it to go.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

[quote=neillaubenthal]Normally I would agree with you that an SSD is a worthwhile upgrade…but in this case the bus speed, CPU, GPU, network, wifi, and everything else about the machine is just too slow for it to be worth spending any money on. One could replace…potentially…the internal drive but the SSD part of the fusion drive is soldered or socketed and isn't a today's standard SSD and the spinning drive is IDE…so replacing the internal drive(s) with a modern SSD isn't possible…wrong connectors and interface type. One could plug in an external SSD…but the ports are Thunderbolt 2 and USB A 3.0…so the performance of something like an OWC SSD would be severely handicapped. Faster than what is in there now yes…but fast nope.

It's time to upgrade…if you see my other reply I'm moving LR from a 2019 iMac that has USB C and TB3 because the M1 Pro MBP blows it away…heck, even my wife's original M1 nothing MacBook Air is considerably faster than a 3 year old Intel iMac…so 8 years it'[s time for it to go.[/quote]

Apparently OWC, who probably knows as much as anyone about Mac upgrades, thinks it’s possible and has quoted the OP to perform the work, upgrading the internal drive to SSD . https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDIM12YT02/.
I can’t speak to the bus speed, but the CPU is a decent I-7, the machine has 32 GB DRAM, it has a seperate video card with 2 GB VRAM, so all the right pieces are there except the drive(s).

I’ll just add that if a machine that cost probably 2.5-3K$ is due for the scrap heap after 7-8 years because of no potential upgrades, that really speaks (negatively). to Apple’s value/upgrade ability and a sad comment. I’m running a PC that is well older than that, have added more memory and continued to add more (internal) SSD as I’ve accumulated data and recently upgraded the video card with a faster GPU. I have about half the $ in it as the Apple, and it is plenty fast with half a dozen aps open simultaneously, driving 3 monitors and running a GPU intensive application such as Topaz labs products in addition to PS2022. Soldered in components, non standard, un upgradable components, out of date technology when built (IDE drive in 2014 on a high end machine?) and forcing loyal customers to spend 2x the price of a PC (can you say planned obsolescence) every 6-7 years is exactly my problem with Apple. No wonder their profit/stock price is so high.

Hip Coyote

A contrarian suggestion...consult and expert. I have a friend who does computer repair...and whom I trust completely. (Of course you have no reason to trust me, but he does have references. Lives in Cali and has a lot of high end clients..some famous.) I had an unrelated friend who was about to buy a new computer, but I had my buddy remotely clean up the computer, make sure all software was on correctly, etc. After about 2 hours, the computer was running much better. Saved the guy thousands.

You can PM me and I can at least put you into contact with him.

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

Sounds like Gizmo Tech in Grants Pass. That is a brilliant suggestion.

Hip Coyote

Nah, it is a different guy here in LA. But any Apple tech worth his salt could help decide if buying a new one is in order. The other thing is these guys/ladies get older computers as trade ins all the time...someone has more money than sense just wants a new computer, so they give the tech the old one. My bud sells them all the time...excellent machines a few years old.

Anyhoo...glad the suggestion helps.

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

I didn’t intend to suggest that your guy in LA was anything to do with Gizmo Tech (GT) just that they were both in similar businesses. Likewise GT are always selling secondhand computers.

Hip Coyote

Nope...i totally got it! I figured similar business.

Hope it works out for the OP.

Happy shooting

Hip Coyote (Rick)

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

rb99 Loc: Ohio

Lets see -- it is a computer and it is 8 yrs old. Hello! What are you waiting for --- YES, replace it!

jwohlhueter

Hi Pat,

Like you, my 27" iMac is nearing ten years old. My iMac has been having speed issues for a couple of years. I traced the issue to what they call the "kernel task". It's role is to check the temperature of the computer's processor. If it goes a bit "haywire" it runs continually, taking much of the processors time. Here is how to check for it:
Open Finder --> open Applications --> open Utilities--> open Activity Monitor

The "CPU" and "Memory" buttons display lists of the most active and highest use activities. If kernel_task is moving around at the top of the lists it's your villain! Fixing is a bit technical and I haven't attempted it fix it yet. Search the internet will get you several ways to fix. YouTube is probably a good bet.

I am waiting for the new iMac 27" with the new M1 or M2 chip. Rumors are it will be named the iMac Pro and be more expensive than expected. If so I will strongly consider the MacMini with a 27" LG monitor. I've been very impressed with the mini's specs, reviews and especially the cost.

Let me know if the kernel_task is your problem and if you decided to fix it. Good Luck -Jim

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

[quote=neillaubenthal]Normally I would agree with you that an SSD is a worthwhile upgrade…but in this case the bus speed, CPU, GPU, network, wifi, and everything else about the machine is just too slow for it to be worth spending any money on. One could replace…potentially…the internal drive but the SSD part of the fusion drive is soldered or socketed and isn't a today's standard SSD and the spinning drive is IDE…so replacing the internal drive(s) with a modern SSD isn't possible…wrong connectors and interface type. One could plug in an external SSD…but the ports are Thunderbolt 2 and USB A 3.0…so the performance of something like an OWC SSD would be severely handicapped. Faster than what is in there now yes…but fast nope.

It's time to upgrade…if you see my other reply I'm moving LR from a 2019 iMac that has USB C and TB3 because the M1 Pro MBP blows it away…heck, even my wife's original M1 nothing MacBook Air is considerably faster than a 3 year old Intel iMac…so 8 years it'[s time for it to go.[/quote]

Neil, we don’t know the OP’s budget. He has consulted OWC, who are the best Mac upgrade experts on the planet. They will not lead him astray…

Normally I would agree… time to upgrade to a new machine. But if a new Mac isn’t in the budget… installing an SSD can breathe enough life into the old machine to give it another year or three.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Apple is dumping inventory of old iMac models through channels such as OWC. They are usually about to release a new model when they do that.

The new big iMacs will be here this year. I suspect all their models will be Apple Silicon before 2023.

The next big event is RUMORED to happen on March 8. They usually announce such events one week in advance.

Boris77

Yes, get a new computer!
Even when we used Towers at work and replaced components we replaced the whole computer every four to five years. Consider keeping the old iMac for some secondary functions. It is probably not worth much and it contains your private work.
Boris

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I went to the OWC website; great deals on Intel iMacs. I will wait for the updated Apple Silicon 27" iMacs.

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

When I ran into the very slow and memory full issues on my 7 yo 15” MBP with a 1T SSD and 32GB of RAM I did the following: As I had just bought the M1 Mac Mini, I used it to transfer the entire contents of the MBP to the Mini. I erased the entire contents of the MBP and did a fresh install of OSX Monterey. I then installed only the photo apps that I need for traveling and the computer ran like it was brand new. No out of memory issues, no spinning wheels, just pure computer bliss. I deleted all unused apps from the mini, have plenty of space left in the internal drive, as all data is either on the cloud or on external HDs.