Using a Higher Wattage Adapter to Power Up Two 3.5" HDDs on an Optiplex 7010 Micro (Launched in 2023) MFF

tbh it seems convoluted and you would lose wireless card too.  there are other options to add 3.5 hdd to micro that does not have power for sata storage.  one of those options are external 3.5 hdd enclosure or docking station powered separately by 12V DC power and connected to micro via USB.  it is simpler and safer. 

@redxps630​ Yeah, but I cannot use these bays as raid or zfs pool effectively over usb. Thank you for your suggestion but I still seek an answer.

Aren't there docking stations that can be used as RAID?

Since this is an open test bench system with non-support and out of specs components, just go for it and plug it in if you already have the setup ready.  The system will just shut down when detecting power issue.  Otherwise, you can proceed with your experimenting build.

Re: plan to replace the WLAN card attached to the 2230 M.2 slot (E-key) with an M.2 to SATA3 adapter to connect two 3.5" HDDs. The available SATA connector on the motherboard can readily power up a 2.5" HDD (5-8W) or maybe two, but I'm sure I need more initial power (20-25W per disk).   When I google m.2 to sata adapter it seems OP wants to add more sata ports to micro.  These are just extra sata data ports (in a desktop we would add PCIE sata add in card to have more ports) .  The sata power are supplied separately and externally.  I am not sure why there is a max current or power concern regarding the M3 to sata adapter.  That adapter does not draw power current.  The adapter just adds more ports which are data line.  OP need not be concerned.  In terms of power/current or heat, both 3.5” hdd are placed outside case.  The external power supply is more than capable of handling two hdd.

@redxps630​ If you look closely at the picture, you may notice that the disks get their power from the onboard SATA port, even though they sit externally. What I'm trying to do is replicate the same scenario—using the internal power supply through the onboard SATA port while the data flows through the M.2-SATA adapter.

So, I was asking whether upgrading the power adapter (similar to upgrading the PSU in a desktop PC) of the 7010 micro would work. The original adapter seems like it might not be able to handle the power needs of two 3.5" HDDs alongside the original system through the onboard SATA port (50-60W during boot-up, 20-30W idle).

@Chino de Oro​ Thank you. I guess that's the best course of action in my case. Do you know if there is any surge protection built into the motherboard? If so, providing higher maximum wattage won't change anything, I guess.

@bradthetechnut​ Through USB or eSAT, yes. Unfortunately, neither of them are favourable for my setup.

I get it now. I would not risk it. If you compare the size of regular sata power pin (15 pin) to the tiny hair size pin of M.2 slot, you ask to draw power current thru those, it is similar to ppl who use sata to PCIE adapter to power gpu when they do not have 6 pin, it could raise temp cause plastic softening melting or fire smoke,

just b/c some one made such adapter does not mean it is okay to use it.  Same for sata to 6 pin adapter.

why risk that to micro and your health. I disagree w taking such risk unless you do not care about ruining the pc and air quality 

if you were powering two external 2.5 sata ssd then I might agree since nvme ssd and 2.5 ssd power draw are similar but not for 3.5” mechanical spinning hdd

@redxps630​ no, I'm going to get power through the SATA pin. There’s a built-in SATA port on the motherboard, designed to supply power to one 2.5" drive. I'll rephrase my original two questions:

1. Can the motherboard provide enough power through its own SATA port (not through M.2)? There might be a hardware limitation to prevent overheating or damage.

3. Assuming the motherboard can power my 3.5" disks, the total energy requirement with the additional disks would exceed the original 90W adapter's capabilities. If I buy a compatible 150W adapter, will the PC boot up once it’s connected?

Re: Can the motherboard provide enough power through its own SATA port (not through M.2)

the m.2 slot can power NVMe and M.2 ssd.  it is a ultrasmall footprint interface that has power and data in one slot to replace the tradition required combination of 15 pin sata power and 7 pin sata data. 

PS The M.2 M-key specification has 9 pins for voltage supply rated for 3.3V and are not supposed to exceed 0.5A per pin, which yields a maximum around 15W

Typical 3.5" drives draw 6-10W during operation, but can briefly peak over 25W while they spin up.  With two 3.5 hdd you need to draw 12-20 w and peak 50w not safe at all to attempt this from m.2 slot.

the motherboard has a built in sata power port #3 which can power two 3.5 hdd if you supply a powerful enough AC adapter.  The Dell max AC adapter for MFF 7010 is 90w.  You would need a more powerful one with 4.5 mm barrel.  The 150w one would do.  yes they are interchangeable among Dell models.

@erdtree73 , yes, Dell motherboard has voltage regulators, thermal and current protections on board.  I don't think that the higher power adapter (150w) would make a different if it works, your system limits the input power to 65w and 90w power adapter.  But, your 90w power adapter should be sufficient to spare 20w to operate x2 HDD (today NAS drives use about 8w averagely).  Remember that your system was designed to support power draw for 6 USB ports.  Therefore, when not in use, there is some power to spare.

Hence the suggestion to go for it.

#10:

Type-C power connector

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/optiplex-7010-micro/optiplex-micro-7010-owners-manual/removing-the-system-board?guid=guid-0a8fa57e-959b-45cc-8cc4-ff9c7a8e2adf&lang=en-us