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Upgrading Storage in the Dell Precision 5820, 7820, and 7920 Tower Workstations

Summary: This article provides information around the SKUs available for adding HDD/SSDs (SATA or SAS or NVMe) to the 5820, 7820, and 7920 Precision Tower Workstations. With the complexity supported on these systems, it can be difficult to figure out which SKUs are needed under each circumstance. ...

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Instructions

Note: Some SKUs listed in this article may not be available for purchase.

Precision 5820 Tower | 7820 Tower | 7920 Tower

The 5820, 7820, and 7920 Tower platforms allow support a wide variety of storage configurations. The system contains multiple locations to support traditional SATA/SAS hard drive/SSDs and the latest models of NVMe SSDs. For more information about the possible storage combinations, see the other wiki posts here. The below Customer Kits are common across all three platforms. All videos liked to below can also be found by scanning the QRL code on the top of the chassis or inside the cover of your system.

750-ABBU - Allows user to upgrade an existing storage installation with NVMe SSDs attached to Intel® VROC to be configured in a RAID array. Depending on the quantity of drives and position of installation RAIDs 0, 1, and 10 are supported.

This module contains

  • Intel VROC Standard activation key

Installation Instructions for Precision 5820: VROC How to Upgrade:

Installation Instructions for Precision 7820: VROC How to Upgrade:

 

575-BBRY - Includes a replacement standard 3.5" hard drive carrier. This includes the grommets and conversion required to install either a 3.5" or 2.5" SATA/SAS or U.2 NVMe Drive. SAS and NVMe support in the systems require additional hardware.

575-BBRX - Allows the user to replace the existing carriers installed on the system with our locking carrier solution. The carriers here are only compatible with 3.5" or 2.5" SATA/SAS or U.2 NVMe installations. They do not include support for M.2 drives.

This module contains

  • Four Locking 3.5" locking hard drive/SSD Carriers
  • Two keys

Installation Instructions for Precision Workstation: Locking Hard Drives:

575-BBSH - Allows user to add a front-loadable M.2 NVMe (PCIe Gen3 x4) SSD into the system. This module does require that the unit is already configured to support NVMe SSDs in the FlexBay with a PCIE SSD backplane. The required SSD is not included with the module. If the unit is not already configured to support NVMe SSDs in a FlexBay, you must also order the conversion kit (750-ABDF for 5820|7820 Tower and 575-BBSP for 7920 Tower).

This module contains

  • M.2 Carrier
  • Thermal Pads
  • M.2 3.5" Module Bay
  • Capacity Label sheet for M.2 Carrier (256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB included)

Installation Instructions:

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Precision 5820 Tower | 7820 Tower

The below lists are customer kits available for the 5820 and 7820 Tower platforms.

400-AXBM - Allows user to install one 3.5" hard drive into the 5.25" bay when using the embedded storage controller only. These drives would be internally accessible only.

The module contains

  • A metal frame insert for the 5.25" bay
  • One 3.5" hard drive Carrier
  • Data and power cables required to connect the drive in the system
  • Fan module required for additional cooling
  • Replacement Front bezel for the 5.25" Bay to allow for airflow
  • Replacement EMI Shield for the 5.25" Bay
  • All screws needed for the assembly

Installation Instructions for Precision 5820 and 7820: Add 3.5" Hard Drives to the 5.25" Bay:


Installation Instructions for Precision Workstation 5820 and 7820: FlexBay Upgrade PCIE (Intel)

400-AXBL - Allows user to install one 3.5" hard drive into the 5.25" bay when using an add-in storage adapter. This module is the same as 400-AXBM, however it contains the necessary cables to connect to either the MegaRAID 9440-8i or the MegaRAID 9460-16i. These drives would be internally accessible only.

400-AXBJ - Allows user to install two 2.5" HDD/SSDs into the 5.25" bay when using the embedded Intel Storage controller only. This module fits into the place where a standard Half Height optical drive (CD or DVD) would fit in the system. These drives would be internally accessible only.

This module contains

  • A metal frame insert for the 5.25" bay
  • Two 2.5" hard drive Carriers which support 2.5" hard drive/SSD drives ranging from 7mm SSDs to 13mm SAS hard drives
  • Data and power cables required to connect SATA drives to the integrated controller
  • Fan module required for additional cooling
  • Replacement Front bezel for the 5.25" Bay to allow for airflow
  • Replacement EMI Shield for the 5.25" Bay
  • All screws needed for the assembly

Installation Instructions for Precision 5820 and 7820: Add 2.5" Hard Drives to the 5.25" Bay:

400-AXBK - Allows user to install two 2.5" hard drive/SSDs into the 5.25" bay when using an add-in storage adapter. This module is the same as 400-AXBJ, however it contains the necessary cables to connect to either the MegaRAID 9440-8i or the MegaRAID 9460-16i. These drives would be internally accessible only.

750-ABDF - Allows user to convert FlexBay 1 (top front FlexBay) into a PCIe enabled FlexBay. After conversion, both slots in this bay become enabled to support PCIe SSDs. With the existing carriers, U.2 2.5" PCIe SSDs can be used. If M.2 NVMe SSDs are wanted, the bay is now compatible with 575-BBSH.

This module includes

  • Replacement metal bracket
  • PCIe SSD backplane (2-port)
  • Two OccuLink to mini-SAS HD x4 cables to connect to motherboard
  • Thermal sensor cable

Installation Instructions can be found from the following article:

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Precision 7920 Tower

The below lists are the customer kits available for the 7920 Tower platform.

575-BBSM - Allows user to install up to four 2.5" or 3.5" SATA/SAS hard drive/SSD in the front FlexBay 0 and 1. It replaces the existing cabling in these FlexBays with cabling that is long enough to reach the PCIe Slots. This kit should be paired with a MegaRAID 9440-8i or 9460-16i.

This module includes

  • Replacement metal bracket
  • SAS Cabling (mini-SAS HD to four SAS 8680 connectors)
  • Fans (2)
  • Thermal sensor cables

Installation Instructions for Precision 7920: FlexBay Upgrade - Convert to SAS with LSI Card:

575-BBSI - Allows user to install 4 additional 2.5" or 3.5" SATA hard drive/SSDs on the Rear of the chassis in FlexBay 3 and 4.

This module includes

  • New plastic rear bezel
  • FlexBay cage
  • 3.5" Drive Carrier (4)
  • Thermal Sensor (2)
  • Metal bracket (2)
  • Fans and plastic shroud (2)
  • All screws necessary for assembly

575-BBSO - Allows user to install 4 additional 2.5" or 3.5" SATA/SAS hard drive/SSDs on the Rear of the Chassis in FlexBay 3 and 4. These drives would be attached to a MegaRAID 9440-8i or 9460-16i. The Storage Controller is not included with the kit. This kit is identical to SKU 575-BBSI however it contains the necessary cabling to connect to a MegaRAID storage card.

575-BBSN - Allows user to install a second 5.25" Bay on the front of the chassis. This kit replaces the existing mechanical HW in FlexBays 0 and 1. There is no standard front storage in this configuration.

This module includes

  • New front bezel and cover
  • 5.25" Cage
  • Brackets for installing a standard 5.25" device
  • Cables necessary to attach a 5.25" SATA device to the motherboard
  • All screws necessary for assembly

Installation instructions for the Precision 7920: Install 2nd 5.25" Bay:

575-BBSP - Allows user to convert FlexBay 0 or 1 into a PCIe enabled FlexBay. After conversion, both slots in this bay become enabled to support PCIe SSDs. With the existing carriers, U.2 2.5" PCIe SSDs can be used. If M.2 NVMe SSDs are wanted, the bay is now compatible with 575-BBSH. It is recommended to use 575-BBSJ with this kit.

This module includes

  • Replacement metal bracket
  • PCIe SSD backplane (2-port)
  • Fan and shroud for cooling/assembly
  • Two mini-SAS HD x4 cables to connect to motherboard
  • Thermal sensor cable
  • All screws necessary for assembly

Installation Instructions for Precision 7920: FlexBay Upgrade - Convert to PCIE Intel:

575-BBSJ - Allows user to convert Flex 0 into an independently-cabled set from Flex 1. This kit should be used with 575-BBSP so that extraneous cables are not left in the system potentially blocking airflow if Flex 1 is upgraded to PCIe attached.

This module includes

  • Replacement metal bracket
  • Two drop SATA cables to the motherboard
  • Fan and plastic bracket for airflow
  • Thermal sensor cable
  • All screws necessary for assembly

575-BBSL - Allows user to convert 5.25" and Slim ODD Bay into a FlexBay capable of supporting up to two 3.5" (or 2.5") SATA hard drives attached to the Integrated Storage controller. This kit should only be used if both FlexBay 0 and 1 are converted to PCIe SSD or no Rear Storage is used.

This module includes

  • New front bezel and cover
  • FlexBay and Metal Bracket
  • Cables necessary to attach drives to the motherboard
  • Fan and plastic bracket for airflow
  • Thermal Sensor cable
  • 3.5" Drive carrier (2)
  • All screws necessary for assembly

Installation Instructions for Precision 7920: Add Hard Drives to 5.25" Bay:

575-BBSK - Allows user to convert 5.25" and Slim ODD Bay into a FlexBay capable of supporting up to two 3.5" (or 2.5") SATA hard drives attached to either the MegaRAID 9440-8i or 9460-16i. With the 9440-8i, this kit should only be used if both FlexBay 0 and 1 are converted to support PCIe SSD or Rear Storage is not used. The 9440 can only support a max of eight drives. The 9460 can support a maximum of 16 SATA/SAS drives. The maximum number of drives the chassis can physically fit is 10 drives. This kit is identical to SKU 575-BBSL except the cables included are long enough to reach the PCIe slots for the MegaRAID 9440 or 9460 controller cards.

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Additional Information

Affected Products

Precision 5820 Tower, Precision 7820 Tower, Precision 7920 Tower