The only HDD faster is the newest model of WDC Velociraptor 10,000 rpm 1TB drive - which we happen to have running in our 6-core Mac Pro. In defense of the HDDs we tested, the Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 is the fastest 7200 rpm drive we have tested to date. And for most users, it will provide plenty of speed - especially in comparison to the HDD options. The $250 for the 1TB Fusion Drive is much easier to swallow. Also, it won't slow down in certain situations that affect the Fusion Drive's performance. The SSD is the fastest choice, obviously, if you are willing to cough up $1300. ( HIGHER number in Megabytes per Second is FASTER) Next we used the Custom Sequential test in QuickBench to measure transfer speed of a 1GB test size.

Then it computes an average from 5 cycles of each. In the Standard test, it samples 4K, 8K, 16K, 32K, 64K, 128K, 256K, 512K, and 1024K random transfers. We used Intech Software's QuickBench 4 to measure the small random transfer speed of each drive. HDD 1TB = factory 1TB HDD (Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST1000DM003) HDD 3TB = factory 3TB HDD (Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST3000DM001) SSD 768G = factory 768GB SSD SM768E (Samsung)įusion 1TB = factory 1TB Fusion Drive (128G SSD SM128E + 1TB Seagate ST1000DM003)

With the help of remote mad scientists, we were able to get test results on four of the five permutations available to 27-inch iMac buyers. We have answers to the question, 'What drive should I order for my 'late 2012' iMac 27-inch?' Since the 27-inch uses 3.5-inch HDDs, the drive choices and drive performance will be different from the 21.5-inch iMac which uses 2.5-inch HDDs.

1tb hard drive for imac 27