[pepito]

Hello folks! this is my first post... I would like to upgrade my iMac's hard drive. The computer is currently using a Seagate Barracuda 40 GB 54000 rpm and I would like to get a faster hard drive, I was thinking on a new Seagate Barracuda 80 GB [72000] rpm.

I have checked many technical forums (including Apple discussions) around the web where other Mac users have done similar upgrades and so far any of them have had problems with "heat" We all know a faster hard drive produces more heat and this type of iMac doesn;t have a fan.

My questions are... have any of you guys have done this before? Have you guys had overheating issues? If you have done this type of upgrade before, how long ago was it?

Thank you very much for your help.

[Raining Down in Texas]

I just put a 120GB Seagate Barracuda 7200 RPM drive in my iMac DV earlier tonight. I researched using the drive upgrade database at XLR8 Your Mac . There were no stories of heat related problems in the testimonials there, plus there was some good advice: use a magnetic screw driver (this is key!), and replace the PRAM battery while you're in there. There are also links to online step-by-step instructions on that site.

[CaseCom]

I've had a 7200 rpm Maxtor in my iMac DV for almost four years (since July 2000). No problems.

[pepito]

Thanks for your reply Raining Down in Texas and CaseCom. I really appreciat it!

Very quick response, man I love this place.

One more question, have you guys noticed improvement in the overall speed of your iMacs?

[Raining Down in Texas]

I have noticed a modest speed increase, but it may be due to performing a clean OS X install on the new hard drive.

[bradoesch]

Originally posted by Raining Down in Texas:
I have noticed a modest speed increase, but it may be due to performing a clean OS X install on the new hard drive.

What drive was in your iMac before? If you were replacing the stock drive, then the speed increase is real and not just in your mind.

I have also upgraded the HD in my iMac. I'm using a Western Digital 120 GB Special Edition drive (8 MB cache). The machine runs a little warmer than usual, but the main problem is that I can't sleep the machine anymore. The HD keeps spinning up and down for no reason when sleeping. Be warned if you're looking at this drive.

[pepito]

Thanks for the reply bradoesch, I have a brand new Seagate Barracuda 80 GB 72K.

I have rebooted my iMac Graphite from my external FireWire (BUSlink/Seagate 72k) before and the speed increases a lot... that's why I wanted to upgrade to a faster internal hard drive but I began to have second thoughts when I read a couple of forums online and they talked about the "heat" thing with iMacs not having fans and faster hard drives.