Upgrading M1 Max Apple Mac Studio Storage

Overview

• Upgrade from 512 GB to 8 TB of storage
• Mac Studio has removable modules unlike other Apple silicon Macs (soldered storage)
• Many previous attempts at similar upgrades were unsuccessful due to specific programming requirements.

Storage Modules

• Storage module consists of a small, proprietary board with NAND chips.
• Storage controller is part of the M1 chip, thus cannot simply swap modules.
• Need to use blank NAND chips for the upgrade to allow the system to program them appropriately.

Preparation for Upgrade

• Two slots available in the Mac Studio for storage modules.
• Need a second NAND module for 8 TB configuration.
• Custom-designed NAND modules created by Guiles of Polysoft Services.

Initial Speed Test

• Before upgrade, the current storage speed is noted:
  • Read speed: ~6000 MB/s
  • Write speed: ~5000 MB/s
• This provides a baseline for comparison after the upgrade.

Reballing NAND Chips

• Using 1 TB NAND chips (KICM 223) for the upgrade.
• Cost of NAND chips: $500 compared to $2400 charged by Apple for the upgrade.
• Special attention to solder mask on NAND pads to avoid issues.
• Reballing process includes:
  • Aligning NAND chips with a stencil.
  • Applying solder paste and heating to melt it.
  • Removing solder from a specific pad that is a no-connect pad.

Soldering Chips to Modules

• Each module requires four NAND chips.
• Pre-heat the board before applying chips.
• Use hot air to solder the chips onto the modules.

Installation and Restoration

• Modules installed back into Mac Studio.
• Boot the device into DFU mode to restore software.
• Successful restore indicates that the custom modules worked correctly.

Final Configuration

• The Mac Studio is now recognized with 8 TB of internal storage.
• Final speed test after upgrade showed slight improvements:
  • Read speed: Slightly faster.
  • Write speed: Faster than before.

Conclusion

• Successful upgrade from 512 GB to 8 TB storage at a fraction of the cost of Apple's upgrade.
• Thanks to Guiles of Polysoft Services for designing the custom NAND PCBs, making the upgrade feasible.