How to Upgrade RAM and SSD on the 2020 iMac?

Question

I am considering options to do RAM and SSD installations for my 2020 iMac. What are the techniques for doing this?

Answer 1

For the 2020 iMac, enhancing the RAM and SSD is feasible as well an easy task. When looking to buy an upgrade for RAM, sticks designed for the 2020 iMac that account for up to 128GB of RAM can be purchased from OWC. It involves unscrewing the memory compartment from the back of the iMac. For those looking for HDD replacement for their iMac, either a Thunderbolt 3 external SDD can be used to increase the speed or an internal SSD upgrade kit from OWC can be installed. Although this step is lengthy; it involves disassembling the iMac’s screen and replacing the SSD and comes with step by step instructions and all the tools required.

Comments

I bought the fully loaded i9, 5700XT w/ 2TB storage in 2020 adding 64gb Ram from OWC right before M1 was released, and I’m still glad I did.
I also own a 2022 M1 Max 16” with 64gb memory and 2TB.

Both work great.
The M1 MacBook is snappier but not enough of a big, big difference though between the two.

I use my iMac all the time for everything music & content.
macOS Catalina, Monterey, Ventura & Sonoma.
I boot off 4TB external drives (thunderbolt4 enclosures). Great performance.
Runs just as fast as the internal.
I love the 5K display.

I agree with you about getting these 2020 27” iMacs. They are still great.

Heck, I still use a 2013 21.5” iMac only because by switching out the HHD with an SSD (with a kit from OWC) brought it back to life.
No, OpenCoreLegacyPatcher yet.
But It still works great for my music.

The only thing that bothers me is this,
Can I upgrade the internal storage on my 2020 27” iMac?
No, right?
I thought they were soldered in also now like the M-Mac’s?
Even the 2019’s. Right?
I wish I put in an internal 4TB or 8 at purchase but using the Thunderbolt4 external enclosure’s are just fine.

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Hi there Craig! Thanks for your content! It's almost June 2024 and I'm thinking of buying an Intel i5 iMac of 27 inches 2020 3,3 for 1 thousand dollars here in Chile, (new).
 I'm into music production, basically Logic Pro and Reason and a lot of my work is on Photoshop. I'm thinking if I'm buying this machine upgrading RAM and SSD.. Is it a smart thing to do? Or just going for an M2 Mac Mini 16GB with 512 GB? I have already a Samsung 4K M8 monitor but I don't consider a very good one (for its colour calibration)
Hope you can answer me and thanks again
Sorry my bad English

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2020 Imac 27" have soldered ssd's and are not upgradable. From Everymac-      "This model has a 256 GB SSD. It is not upgradeable at the time of purchase or later."

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I have a 12 year old iMac 27" that's been flawless all these years - now I can't update the OS, so I've been looking at all the options. I wanted to get another iMac 27" but disappointed the new ones offered are just 24".  I really appreciate your content saying it's still worth getting the 2020 27" because after days of trying to wrap my head around which mac mini, which monitor, an external cd drive, and external storage drive, etc my head is spinning.  My question is:  Over time I have upgraded my current iMac 27" with a 2 Tb drive and upped to 8 gb RAM (installed myself).  Are those compatible with the 2020 27"?  I.E. can I take it to my computer guru and have them swapped into a 2020 27" if I go that route?   Thanks so much!!

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hi buddy, thanks for the content! i have this iMac and i love it, but im not sure about the speed of the USB-A ports. I've a QNAP TR-002 that has a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10GBps), if i connect this unit to my iMac to one of the USB-A port, will i get less speed than if i connect it to a USB-C thunderbolt? thanks!