XPS 8950, can WiFi M.2 slot used for NVMe?

There are 2 M.2 slots for NVMe M.2 SSD. Do you already have both slots populated?

All slots are being used. The question refers to the M.2 2230 slot normally holding a WiFi/Bluetooth card.

Also the specs don't say if it is an "M" key or an "E" key slot?

If "all slots used" does include standard PCIe then there's M.2 A+E-keyed to M-key adapter.

M.2 A+E has x2 PCIe lanes max
(sometimes wired as Intel CNVio/CNVio2 only, no PCIe, sometimes single PCIe lane).
M.2 M-key for NVMe has 4 lanes.
You will lose half of NVMe drive speed (if it's max speed drive) if such adapter is in use, loss will be much less for cheaper (slower) NVMe devices or down to none in some cases.

Obviously if using these adapters an extra effort is needed to mount NVMe storage properly and to avoid it becoming loose or falling out (XPS 8950 is vertical tower, such installation will lead to drive sitting under 90' angle and due to vibration {e.g. fans, environment, etc.} it is very likely to fall out if not fixed with possibility of damaging device by shorting contacts or even if wrong contacts disconnect first before others while powered).
One way on solving this issue is using cabled extension adapter:

Let me clarify "all slots used"-

Any and ALL motherboard m.2 slots. (except the WiFi slot in question)

Any and ALL PCIe slots. (with the exception of the X16 slot * where DELL apparently does not allow -anything- but a video adapter to be installed)

I am aware of the difference between The "keys" an their capabilities and I realize an E key device would be much slower.

Thank you . . . . . as I understand it I will need a 'converter' cable for E- M Key device and it will work.

I was mostly concerned about the -FIXED DELL configurations-, such as the X16 PCIe slot -ONLY capable- of supporting a video adapter.

Chances are it will only accept a WiFi card, regardless of adapters.

Easier to replace one of the two M.2 NVME SSDs with a larger one?  Or maybe install a large capacity 2.5" SATA SSD in one of the drive bays..?

One single large drive would not have the redundancy requirement of two drives and the sata connections are utilized for other functions. I will probably just need to try it and see. I know it works with (some) Lenovo products and -should- on a Dell, unless they lock it like they do other things.

Thank you for your response.

That would work -IF- there was a slot to put it in but as said all slots are being used, that is why I am interested in my -unused- WiFi adapter M.2 slot.

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@Random wrote:

I have an XPS 8950 

Can an NVMe card be used in the M.2 slot?

 

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No.

You can install SATA-Based 2.5inch SSDs.

If you want more NVMe-SSDs, you can add a simple PCIe Addin Card to hold one (they are only like $25).

@Random - How many SATA HDDs are in this system? XPS 8950 supports up to two 3.5" SATA HDDs. You could install two matched high capacity 2.5" SATA SSDs (with adapter trays) which are faster than SATA HDDs. BTW: There is a thread saying three SATA HDDs can be squeezed into the XPS 8950, so you could probably add two 2.5" SSDs and keep an existing 3.5" HDD.

There are three SATA data ports on the motherboard plus one for an optical drive (may be slower speed than the other three). You'd have to provide your own SATA data cables. And if necessary, you could use a SATA power splitter ("Y-cable") to share the power connection between two drives.

Post back and let us know if a NVME SSD+adapter will work in the WiFi slot. Don't think anyone has ever tried that for XPS 8950, so this could be an interesting outcome...

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@Random wrote:

that is why I am interested in my -unused- WiFi adapter M.2 slot.

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Sorry, not possible.

If you want to add another NVMe-SSD, you can add a simple PCIe Addin Card to hold one (they are only like $25).

If you want to add another SATA-SSD, you can do it via USB.

Yes I know there are USB options. But, as with WiFi, security restrictions require all USB connections to be disabled. The unused WiFi is the only available option and is used in other computer brands.

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@Random wrote:

1. Yes I know there are USB options. But, as with WiFi, security restrictions require all USB connections to be disabled.

2. The unused WiFi is the only available option and is used in other computer brands.

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1. A PCIe Addin Card to hold a tiny NVMe-SSD is internal.

2. That is NOT my experience with Dell, HP, or Lenovo desktops. M.2 is only a slot (not a full interface). You are welcome to try it but I'm 99% sure it's not gonna work.