[the wizard of oz]

From the first post of this thread:

So I've been gathering information on installing 1.8" PATA ZIF SSD's into the iPod classic. Really couldn't find much info on it at Head-Fi. So I'll post what I know. Need you all to help make this thread the best place for iPod Classic SSD mod info.

The iPod Classic runs off a 1.8" HDD. There are 4 iPod Classic models as follows:
-6th gen 80GB slim (1.8" PATA ZIF)
-6th gen 160GB fat (1.8" Ce-SATA)
-6.5 gen 120GB slim (1.8" PATA ZIF)
-7th gen 160GB slim (1.8" PATA ZIF)

The iPod Video runs off a 1.8" HDD. There are 4 iPod Video models as follows:
-5th gen 30GB slim (1.8" PATA ZIF)
-5th gen 60GB fat (1.8" PATA ZIF)
-5.5 gen 30GB slim (1.8" PATA ZIF)
-5.5 gen 80GB fat (1.8" PATA ZIF)

SSD mod will work in all the 5 and 5.5g iPods but if you get a fat iPod you will need to construct some type of foam frame to keep the SSD from loosely bouncing around. Slim one does not require that.

Notice the fat Classic has a different interface. I don't have any information on how to mod that one. It never interested me to find out but if you do have info for that you can share it.

All the slim iPod Classics are equally good to mod with an SSD but there is more information you need. Not just ANY 1.8" PATA ZIF SSD will work. You must carefully read the specs. For the SSD to work in the iPod the SSD must operate on 3.3 volts or less. I've basically found a few different voltages for 1.8" ZIF SSD's 5V and 3.3V and 3V. If it is a 5V version its not gonna even start up in the iPod at all.

3.3V and below low power SSD's

Super Talent ZT2 - Available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB (256GB is 5V so it will not work) - 100% confirmation this drive works from ALO audio who makes an SSD iMod with this - 128GB can be had for 200 on eBay which is only 100 more than the 160GB slim HDD stock Toshiba

Renice K3vlar E - available in 30GB 60GB 120GB 240GB - All listed as 3.3V - No confirmation if working but there is no reason it should not work so a good choice to try out. As with all unproven start with the lowest cap and report findings.

Photofast Gmonster V4 - 32GB 64GB 128GB 256GB - All listed as 3.3V - No confirmation if working but there is no reason it should not work so a good choice to try out. As with all unproven start with the lowest cap and report findings.

Mach Xtreme MX Nano - 30GB 60GB 120GB 240GB - Listed as 3.3V or 5V - but they do advertise on the site that it can be used to upgrade an iPod Video which is 99% certain it will work in the iPod Classic slim.

Sabertooth ZF - 32GB 64GB 128GB 256GB - All listed as 3.3V - Untested; no reason it should not work.

Samsung 1.8" ZIF/PATA SLC 64GB SSD MCCOE64GEMPP - Listed as 3.3V - Site listed it as compatible with iPod - Don't know about other capacities but do note that this drive is SLC which offers much increased writing durability - 99% certain this drive will work



Took me a long time to search all these out. My goal is to have iPod Classic SSD modders to come here and make this the best source on the net for iPod SSD mod information. When I finally mod my SSD I will post pictures with a detailed guide step by step with a picture for each step unless someone beats me to it.

Any knowledge you have on this topic would be very appreciated posted here. I hope my hours and hours of research into this gives other new comers a nice head start into iPod Classic modding. Now I need you guys to really make this thread shine.

 

[musicheaven]

^ Yep thanks, he should have picked the following drive model: FUM56G818H
 
Here is a link for it, reasonable price, still too expensive to be honest.:
 
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=FUM56G818H
 
Super Talent 1.8 inch 256GB MasterDrive KX3 uSATA II Solid State Drive (MLC)
 
The master drive model is 3.3 volts

 

[the wizard of oz]

Yes, but that is a µSATA not ZIF SSD so needs an adapter and verification if it would still fit in the iPod case with said adapter.

For the µSATA route, IIRC it had been generally determined that the SanDisk solutions were cheaper.

 

[betarte]

That's it all Super Talent 1.8 version are 5v, for that reson i bought it but probably for 256gb is that becouse doesn't work at all only show an RED X, but if i put the od one back to life, and the hard drive is brand new and is good

 

[musicheaven]

Most of the 256gb with appropriate voltage seems to be hard find and at that price it is not becoming economically viable. Hence a road stop storage wise for me.

 

[betarte]

Yep that one works but is expensive, also with these options:
 
-http://www.amazon.com/MyDigitalSSD-Bullet-Proof-mSATA-Solid/dp/B00B3X73EE
-http://www.amazon.com/Micro-SATA-Cables-Adapter-Toshiba/dp/B009BA5JU6
 
You have the same results and cost you a half, i think so is much better

 

[gdourado]

I saw a Toshiba HG5d mSATA ssd with 256gb for a good price.
In this picture, it says the drive is 3.3v:
 
http://i.imgur.com/C5QsIcI.jpg
 
I have a 5th gen 30gb iPod video.
Will this mSATA ssd work with an adaptor such as this:
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009BA5JU6/ref=gno_cart_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1UCLUF7KW7AYG
 
Is it plug and play?
Put the mSATA SSD on the mSATA SSD to 40 Pin ZIF Adapter Card and then de adapter on the iPOD?
 
Cheers!

 

[cmarti]

Yes it's very easy to do, I did it with my 80GB iPod video over a year ago and it still running solid.

 

[SiGiE]

  I saw a Toshiba HG5d mSATA ssd with 256gb for a good price.
In this picture, it says the drive is 3.3v:
 
http://i.imgur.com/C5QsIcI.jpg
 
I have a 5th gen 30gb iPod video.
Will this mSATA ssd work with an adaptor such as this:
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009BA5JU6/ref=gno_cart_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1UCLUF7KW7AYG
 
Is it plug and play?
Put the mSATA SSD on the mSATA SSD to 40 Pin ZIF Adapter Card and then de adapter on the iPOD?
 
Cheers!

 
Just make sure all cables are connected nicely -- iTunes should be able to identify the new HDD/SDD and prompt to auto-format. However, if your PC/MAC does not automatically recognise the mSATA, you will need to manually format the mSATA, using a different mSATA USB adapter.  This adapter will be useful, when there will be the occasional need to reboot the mSATA. This occurs sometimes when iPod battery goes flat while in use, and mSATA fails to shut down properly.  When this occurs, symptoms will be like an HDD or battery unable to charge problem, but actually just a need to reboot the mSATA.   No real biggie, just got to know that this sometimes happens, and it's really an easy fix. 

 

[gdourado]

   
Just make sure all cables are connected nicely -- iTunes should be able to identify the new HDD/SDD and prompt to auto-format. However, if your PC/MAC does not automatically recognise the mSATA, you will need to manually format the mSATA, using a different mSATA USB adapter.  This adapter will be useful, when there will be the occasional need to reboot the mSATA. This occurs sometimes when iPod battery goes flat while in use, and mSATA fails to shut down properly.  When this occurs, symptoms will be like an HDD or battery unable to charge problem, but actually just a need to reboot the mSATA.   No real biggie, just got to know that this sometimes happens, and it's really an easy fix. 

 
Thank you for the reply.
So, the parts I mentioned, both the SSD mSATA and the adapter are compatible. I can buy these with no reserves that it will work?
 
Cheers!

 

[gdourado]

Ot of curiosity, would this 480gb mSATA drive work?
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=CF4B8E9EA5CA7304
 
It's the crucial M500 mSATA 480gb.
 
Cheers!

 

[seeteeyou]

.

 

[jazzman7]

Why stop at 480GB?
 
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=CT960M500SSD1
 
Close to 1TB in a 5.5G iPod... would it work, though?

 

[seeteeyou]

.

 

[SiGiE]

   
Thank you for the reply.
So, the parts I mentioned, both the SSD mSATA and the adapter are compatible. I can buy these with no reserves that it will work?
 
Cheers!

It looks similar to the adapter that I used.   But you will have to try to be 100%, as I used a Crucial mSATA 256GB and got my adapter from a different source.