Can I add a PCIe SSD to my iMac 5K (Oct 2015)?

"Sadly Apple does not offer upgrades for this system. So you'll need to find an independent Apple servicer who can get the SSD spares part from Apple and put it in for you (very expensive solution!)

While you could do this your self this is an advanced DIY project and you could damage the display if you don't follow the IFIXIT guide to the letter. You would still need to locate the custom Apple blade SSD (PCIe x4 NVM express SSD), which will be very difficult. Here's the IFIXIT guide you'll need to follow: iMac Intel 27"" Retina 5K Display SSD Replacement

Frankly, I think it's a lot safer and cheaper just to get an external Thunderbolt 2 SSD RAID drive. You'll get better performance than swapping out the HD for a SSD (if you where thinking on going that way), but not quite as fast as the built-in blade SSD (very close though!)

Here's one unit: OWC ThunderBay 4 mini"

"Standard Hard Drive: 1 TB* Int. HD Interface: Serial ATA (6 Gb/s)/PCIe*

Details: *This model is equipped by default with either a 1 TB (7200 RPM) hard drive (MK462LL/A) or a 1 TB ""Fusion"" Drive, which combines a 24 GB SSD and a 1 TB hard drive (MK472LL/A). It has a Serial ATA (6 Gb/s) connector for a 2.5"" hard drive. It also has a second PCIe connector (PCIe 2.0 x4 NVMexpress interface) that accommodates the SSD if the system is configured with a ""Fusion Drive"" or SSD or that remains unpopulated if configured with only a hard drive.

At the time of purchase, Apple offers a 2 TB ""Fusion Drive"" (which combines a 128 GB SSD and a 2 TB hard drive) for an extra US$200, a 3 TB ""Fusion Drive"" (which combines a 128 GB SSD and a 3 TB hard drive) for an extra US$300, a 256 GB SSD for an extra US$100, a 512 GB SSD for an extra US$400, or a 1 TB SSD for an extra US$900.

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/im...

Here's the info on an upgrade: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/im..."

I contacted an AASP and was given this answer. "The PCI-E SSD for that iMac is $1600, the labor will be about $209.95 since the slot for it is located on the back of the logic board, so the whole system will have to be rebuilt, and we charge a $69.95 bench fee. So in total $1879.90 plus tax."

another question: If I want to REPLACE small SSD “blade” with models of SSDs are compatible?

Is there going to be a Firmware update to stop the bottlenecking on the 15,1 27” iMac?

"https://www.newegg.com/p/36M-01AF-00B92

https://www.newegg.com/startech-com-25s2...

maybe you can use the adapter"