I’ve been using a base model 27″ Intel iMac from 2017 for years now. While the design and internals are starting to feel dated, there’s still a lot to love—especially that gorgeous, sharp 5K display. But over the past couple of years, the system has slowed to a frustrating crawl—just opening files or launching apps felt like a test of patience.
Rather than shell out for a new Apple Silicon zMac right away, I decided to upgrade it and squeeze a bit more life out of this iconic machine while waiting for Apple to (hopefully) release an Apple Silicon version of the 27″ iMac.
Step 1: Affordable RAM Upgrade
The first and easiest step was bumping up the RAM. I upgraded from the stock configuration to 32GB by purchasing two 16GB DDR4 RAM sticks for just around S$75. Intel iMacs from this era make RAM upgrades a breeze—there’s a convenient access panel on the back, and clear online guides (like this one here) to walk you through the process.
Unfortunately, while the upgrade helped a little with multitasking, it didn’t solve the sluggish file access or app loading.
Step 2: Ditching the Fusion Drive for SSD Speed
The real game-changer came from replacing the 1TB Fusion Drive with a solid-state drive (SSD). Instead of opening up the iMac and replacing the internal drive—a more involved process—I chose the simpler route: booting from an external SSD via the Thunderbolt port.
I went with the Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD, housed in a compact NVMe enclosure. After connecting it via Thunderbolt, I installed macOS directly onto the SSD, migrated my data, and set it as the startup disk.
The difference? Night and day. Apps launch instantly, files open with zero delay, and the whole system feels snappy again. Even though it’s technically an external drive, the Thunderbolt 3 port on the 2017 iMac offers fast enough bandwidth to rival internal SSDs.
Conclusion: A Worthwhile Upgrade for Under S$350
For under S$350 total, my aging iMac now runs like a modern machine—without giving up that beautiful 5K 27″ display. If you have an Intel iMac with a Thunderbolt port that’s starting to feel sluggish, consider upgrading the RAM and booting from an external SSD. It’s a relatively easy and low-cost way to make your Mac feel snappy again.