MBP early 2011, 13 inch., i5 2.3 Ghz - HDD replacement

Hi guys,
I’d like to remove the original 320 GB HDD, Seagate ST9320325ASG, in my Macbook Pro 13 inch., early 2011, OS X El Capitan 10.11.2, Processor 2.3 Ghz Core i5,

Boot ROM version: MBP81.0047.B2C
SMC version (system): 1.68f99

Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 mb graphics,
Memory 8GB (4 + 4) DDR3 1333MHz Ram

Performing a system scan from Crucial’s site, SSD MX500 2.5-inch SATA3 1 TB seems to be a good choice even if Samsung 860 evo 1 TB seems to be more performing.

Many threads talk about problems after installing SSD (various models and manufacturers), so I’m so confused…
1 – is there a SSD manufacturer much more compatible (OWC, WD, Samsung, Kingston, etc.)
2 - is necessary to replace the original Sata cable with a more recent one, and if so which one???;
3 - is necessary to update the Boot ROM and SMC;
4 - is necessary to reset (skipping the previous point 3) SMC and PRAM, during the SSD’s first boot, when mounted inside MBP;
5 - is necessary to activate TRIM.

Have you good reports about recent SSDs in MBP 13 inch., early 2011, 2.3 Ghz Core i5, Boot ROM version: MBP81.0047.B2C and SMC version (system): 1.68f99 ???

Have you also any suggestion about the best Ram upgrade (8x2 Gb)???

Thanks a lot to all!


This is the complete sys config:

Macbook Pro 13 pollici, Inizio 2011, OS X El Capitan 10.11.2
Processore 2.3 Ghz Core i5
Grafica Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 mb
Memoria 8GB DDR3 1333MHz Ram




Hard disk Seagate ST9320325ASG

Riepilogo hardware:
Nome modello: MacBook Pro
Identificatore modello: MacBookPro8,1
Nome processore: Intel Core i5
Velocità processore: 2,3 GHz
Numero di processori: 1
Numero totale di Core: 2
Cache L2 (per Core): 256 KB
Cache L3: 3 MB
Memoria: 8 GB
Versione Boot ROM: MBP81.0047.B2C
Versione SMC (sistema): 1.68f99
Numero di serie (sistema): D92***DH2G
Hardware UUID: 72CF7873-441C-53B6-A3DA-BC9832FB78C7
Sensore movimento improvviso:
Stato: Abilitato


SATA/SATA Express

Intel 6 Series Chipset:

Fornitore: Intel
Prodotto: 6 Series Chipset
Velocità collegamento: 6 Gigabit
Velocità link negoziata: 3 Gigabit
Interconnessione fisica: SATA
Descrizione: AHCI Version 1.30 Supported

ST9320325ASG:

Capienza: 320,07 GB (320.072.933.376 byte)
Modello: ST9320325ASG
Revisione: 0009APM1
Native Command Queuing: Sì
Lunghezza coda: 32
Disco estraibile: No
Unità amovibile: No
Nome BSD: disk0
Frequenza rotazionale: 5400
Tipo supporto: Rotazionale
Tipo mappa partizione: GPT (GUID Partition Table, Tabella di partizione GUID)
Stato S.M.A.R.T.: Verificato
Volumi:

EFI:
Capienza: 209,7 MB (209.715.200 byte)
Nome BSD: disk0s1
Contenuto: EFI
UUID Volume: 85D67001-D93E-3687-A1C2-79D677F0C2E0

Macintosh HD:
Capienza: 319,21 GB (319.213.174.784 byte)
Disponibile: 49,44 GB (49.444.265.984 byte)
Scrivibile: Sì
File System: Journaled HFS+
Nome BSD: disk0s2
Punto di attivazione: /
Contenuto: Apple_HFS
UUID Volume: D2FEB4F4-39F2-36AC-A0FA-99A16C73E78E

Recovery HD:
Capienza: 650 MB (650.002.432 byte)
Nome BSD: disk0s3
Contenuto: Apple_Boot
UUID Volume: 7D6AD7CE-1198-362A-80B9-24CD5B52123F


Slot memoria:

ECC: Disabilitato
Memoria aggiornabile: Sì

BANK 0/DIMM0:

Dimensioni: 4 GB
Tipo: DDR3
Velocità: 1333 MHz
Stato: OK
Produttore: 0x80CE
Codice prodotto: 0x4D3437314235323733444D302D4348392020

BANK 1/DIMM0:

Dimensioni: 4 GB
Tipo: DDR3
Velocità: 1333 MHz
Stato: OK
Produttore: 0x80CE
Codice prodotto: 0x4D3437314235323733444D302D4348392020


Intel HD Graphics 3000:

Modello Chipset: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Tipo: GPU
Bus: Integrato
VRAM (dinamica, massima): 512 MB
Fornitore: Intel (0x8086)
ID dispositivo: 0x0126
ID revisione: 0x0009

Monitor:
LCD colori:
Tipo di monitor: LCD
Risoluzione: 1280 x 800
Profondità pixel: Colore 32 bit (ARGB8888)
Monitor principale: Sì
Duplicazione: Spento
Attivo: Sì
Integrato: Sì

In 2012, when I purchased my 15" Late 2011 MBP, I ordered 2-240GB SSD separately. The first was Kingston ($129), and the second was Samsung ($139). The Kingston worked and the Samsung didn't. After an OS update a couple of years later, the Kingston drive died, and then I put in a 500GB Crucial SSD.

2 - As far as, replacing the SATA cable, no, it's not necessary. But if there is an issue at time of replacement, or later on, don't forget to try this fix.
3 - As far as, updating the Boot ROM and SMC, no, it's not necessary, but why would you want to be behind in these settings? Have you checked both of these on your MBP?
4 - As far as, resetting NVRAM and SMC, no, it's not necessary.
5 - As far as, activating Trim, I believe that was Mac OS X/OS X/macOS dependent, may also depend on the brand of SSD purchased. I know the first 3 or 4 years of using an SSD in my MBP, I enabled Trim, then with one OS X upgrade, it was already activated.

ferrarr said:

In 2012, when I purchased my 15" Late 2011 MBP, I ordered 2-240GB SSD separately. The first was Kingston ($129), and the second was Samsung ($139). The Kingston worked and the Samsung didn't. After an OS update a couple of years later, the Kingston drive died, and then I put in a 500GB Crucial SSD.

2 - As far as, replacing the SATA cable, no, it's not necessary. But if there is an issue at time of replacement, or later on, don't forget to try this fix.
3 - As far as, updating the Boot ROM and SMC, no, it's not necessary, but why would you want to be behind in these settings? Have you checked both of these on your MBP?
4 - As far as, resetting NVRAM and SMC, no, it's not necessary.
5 - As far as, activating Trim, I believe that was Mac OS X/OS X/macOS dependent, may also depend on the brand of SSD purchased. I know the first 3 or 4 years of using an SSD in my MBP, I enabled Trim, then with one OS X upgrade, it was already activated.

Click to expand...

Thank you ferrarr,
so, considering your experience, which SSD do you suggest (Samsung, Crucial, etc.)?
And what about ram upgrade (8x2 gb)?

Regarding Boot ROM and SMC updating I only read some thread...

I would not trust the EVO (Samsung), maybe a different version from them would work differently, but both the Kingston and Crucial worked with no issues in my MBP. So, if you can find a less expensive drive, it should work, here is where I found my deals, http://dealdump.com, lots of deals there, towards the bottom, is usually where the electronics are.

For the ram upgrade, Crucial Mac specific works great.

See this archived Apple Support Document to confirm your MBP is where it should be, https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201518

Great!
I will follow your advice.
Thanks