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m15 R5, SSD configuration, possible to 2x 2280 2TB (4TB)
Below, is the manual specifications. Where they explain the compatibilities and how to modifiy the ssd configurations.
I can't seem to find if what i want to do is possible. (if the motherboard will be able to handle it)
slot 1: remove the 2230 ssd, change the screw mount for a 2280 configuration, add a 2280 nvme of 2tb and place the appropriated thermal shield,
slot 2: add a screw mount, 2280 nvm 2tb ssd and place the appropriated thermal shield.
Result : have 2 x 2080 SSD NVME of 2tb = 4tb of storage
Is it possible?
Will the motherboard handle it?
thank you
https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/alienware-m15-r5-laptop_service-manual_en-us.pdf
page 20-25/78
https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/alienware-m15-r5-laptop_users-guide_en-us.pdf
page : 12/23
crimsom
7 Technologist
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September 2nd, 2021 13:00
Hi @Anarchy98 thank you for sharing update.
Agree that Internal slots information is very poor. Is this the explanation that you wanted?
There are two M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe Slots, SSD1 (on LH side) and SSD2 (on RH side). Both slots are designed to accept M.2 2230 up to 500GB or M.2 2280 up to 2TB cards in any combination of storage capacity 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB. If both slots are used, the combined storage capacity can be up to 4TB.
If purchased with one M.2 card and heat shield in SSD1 slot, the SSD2 slot does not have screw mount or heat shield for second M.2 card.
The screw mount is moved to accommodate M.2 2230 or M.2 2280 card in its SSD1 or SSD2 slot.
Two M.2 2230 and two M.2 2280 heat shields are not supplied, only the heat shield for original M.2 card purchased from Dell.
Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.
Anarchy98
15 Posts
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September 2nd, 2021 11:00
Just to be sure,
You're saying two different m2 2280 2tb are not going to work, but a single 4tb nvme might work?
This article seems to say it would work with 2x 2tb ... im so lost here
https://www.windowscentral.com/alienware-m15-ryzen-edition-r5-officially-announced?amp
crimsom
7 Technologist
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September 2nd, 2021 11:00
Hi @Anarchy98 welcome to this user to user discussion forum. This is not Dell Support.
It is possible for m15 R5 to have two identical 2TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe cards in RAID 0 configuration for the operating system to see it as a single 4TB OS(C:) boot drive. (PCIe bus - Up to Gen3)
But this is unreliable, if one drive fails, both have to be replaced. Your disaster Recovery Plan would require a cloned (copy) standby of two identical cards in RAID 0 configuration. There is no performance boost in having RAID 0. A single ultrafast 2TB M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe card is best. Although Dell says up to 2TB per slot, its only what they have tested for Dell warranty.
NVMe Storage capacities have subsequently increased, so look for suitable single 4TB and more NVMe cards that OEMs say have been tested for installation in the Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 system.
When using graphic intensive applications or playing power hungry games, the OS(C:) boot drive should have plenty of room for temporary files and an eGPU enclosure with its own PSU power plus high performance GPU, should be used. News Posts matching 'eGPU' | TechPowerUp (Check to see if Dell AGA's proprietary PCIe Gen3 connector continues to be legacy option on the motherboard.)
Please click on Kudos to say thank you for response from user that is not employed by Dell. Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.
crimsom
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September 2nd, 2021 12:00
Hi @Anarchy98 thank you for sharing update. Guess that you are now in information overload.
It would help to have included the Windows Central source in the opening post.
Why the "Will the motherboard handle it?" question having seen Windows Central's storage review that says Up to 4TB (2x 2TB PCIe M.2 SSD) (Dual-Drive Non-RAID Configs available)?
What is it that you want to know?
Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.
Anarchy98
15 Posts
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September 2nd, 2021 12:00
Which information is correct.
Is 2x 2tb not raid will work?
Will 2tb and 4 tb work?
I feel like the infomation in the manual isnt clear
Anarchy98
15 Posts
1
September 2nd, 2021 13:00
Thank you!!
Do you think more than 2tb per ssd would work?
Anarchy98
15 Posts
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September 2nd, 2021 13:00
Which information is correct is my main goal here.
When i called alienware customer support, they could not give me a reliable answer and refered me to the manual wich is unclear.
From what i read, 2tb 2280 nvme x 2 not raid will work
But you said something interresting for me. Will 4 tb ssd's leading to 6gb or 8gb work?
Thank you.
crimsom
7 Technologist
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September 2nd, 2021 14:00
Hi @Anarchy98 thank you for sharing updates.
There are Alienware laptop extreme build configurations on the internet. By careful selection and OEM guidance, they have discovered which make and capacity of M.2 2280 will work. They have installed single 4TB, 6TB and 8TB cards in their extreme build configurations. These build configurations are not authorised by Dell and there is no Dell warranty. You are therefore reliant on third party claims of performance/reliability and their warranty terms.
The supply of M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe cards is being overtaken by M.2 PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe and M.2 PCIe Gen5 x4 NVMe cards, but these can only run at PCIe Gen3 x4 read/write speeds on the m15 R5 main board.
Alienware Area-51 ALX 2006
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September 2nd, 2021 15:00
I dont recommend getting anything higher than 4Tb as its unknown to work with the laptop in the first place but Getting maybe 2 x 4Tb drives will work just fine. You can even get more than 2 M.2 Drives but please cap the size at 4Tb.
Alienware Area-51 ALX 2006
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September 4th, 2021 12:00
Yes they will work just fine. You will only have to configure the system in GPT mode instead of MBR as MBR reads a maximum of 2Tb while GPT has a maximum of 940,000,000Tb limit. Here’s a guide on how to configure windows to support the big file size: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000025535/memory-and-storage.html
it should be the same since even though AMD and Intel basically both support UEFI.