Aurora R7, compatible SSDs

Question

I'm trying to figure out which SSDs are compatible with my son's R7.

The storage specs are confusing.

They say the M.2 2280 SSD uses a SATA ACHI interface and a U.2 drive uses a PCIe NVMe interface.

The M.2 2280 SSDs I look at are listed as being PCIe NVMe drives.

I'm trying to decide between the Samsung 970 EVO or EVO+ and the WD Black SN750.

Assuming the WD Black is compatible, would the heatsink version fit?

Thanks.

Tesla1856 · Accepted Answer

1. They say the M.2 2280 SSD uses a SATA ACHI interface and a U.2 drive uses a PCIe NVMe interface. 2. The M.2 2280 SSDs I look at are listed as being PCIe NVMe drives. 3. I'm trying to decide between the Samsung 970 EVO or EVO+ and the WD Black SN750. 4. Assuming the WD Black is compatible, would the heatsink version fit? ============================= 1. No . First, ignore any talk of U.2, you want M.2 . You want a M.2 (2280) PCIe NVMe SSD 512gb M.2 (slot form factor) 2280 (SSD width/length in mm, so SSD fits on motherboard-space provided and hold-down screw fits) PCIe (interface) NVMe (protocol) 2. Correct 3. Get a M.2 (2280) PCIe NVMe SSD 512gb Samsung SSD . A EVO, EVO+, or Pro. . I don't think power-users actually buy WD-SSD (they mainly make spinning-platter drives). Samsung, Kingston, Intel ... get one of popular/name-brand SSDs. 512gb should be fine for all Windows, all Apps, scratch Adobe work-space, some data-files for current projects, and even a few games. You can clone/image with Macrium-Reflect or clean-install Windows-10 to C-Drive. He should eventually save/move completed Adobe projects, music, videos, etc. to D-drive (a spinning-HDD or a 2.5inch SATA-3/600 SSD is even better). That is more of a sustainable storage strategy for long-term use. You will always have room on C-drive for things that actually need to be saved there (see above). 4. I doubt a SSD with a tall heat-sink will fit under video-card. Please download and read Aurora-R7 Service Manual PDF.

mrosen · Answer

@Anonymous

It currently has a 128GB M.2 SSD 2.5" drive and a 2TB SATA drive. The SSD is the C drive and has the OS.

It's constantly running out of space so I'm looking to replace it.

The graphics card is a Nvidia GTX 1070 that we want to upgrade.

Thanks.

r72019 · Answer

That is a typo, the R7 did not ship with a 2.5' drive option and there's no such thing as a 2.5' m2 drive.  The 128gb drive is a 128gb m2 nvme drive 2280 (so it is an 80mm drive).

r72019 · Answer

The m2 slot is compatible with an m2 pcie nvme up to 2280, no limits on size (but only validated to 2 tb).

You can also add up to 2x of 2.5" sata ssds as expansion drives in the two empty caddies.

You can also add additional m2 nvme pcie or sata drives via pcie slot with or without a sata cable (sata cable only required for m2 sata). There's only a total of 4 sata headers available though and the dvd drive takes one.

mrosen · Answer

@r72019

The part number listed is 400-AVJG. I searched for it and found a description of "128GB M.2 SATA Solid State Drive."

Isn't this a 2.5" drive in this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFY1c-hr2Lc

mrosen · Answer

@Anonymous

I had written a lengthier response before but the site took a and lost it all.

We try our best to change the default to the D drive when installing applications, but we recently installed Adobe Creative Cloud and it insists on installing to the C drive. Running updates has been a huge problem.

I get really confused by Dell calling that 128GB drive an "M.2" drive. Or are there different types of M.2 drives?

Thanks.

mrosen · Answer

@Tesla1856

Cool, thanks. That was very helpful.

I read a post (I think it was on this forum) that the Evo+ had driver compatability problems I think.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Aurora-R7-Samsung-970-EVO-Plus-SSD-compatibility/td-p/7276900?ref=lithium_reltopic

Tesla1856 · Answer

No.

PCIe/NVMe is a industry standard. These SSDs work in any 100% operational computer that accepts them.

But like anything, you get what you pay for. Stick to the major-brands and you should be fine.

Not really familiar with Samsung EVO+. I have installed some plain EVO's but mainly I like Samsung Pros. My work is too important to try to save a few dollars on main-system-drive.

TeslaDude · Answer

Are you certain that the Aurora R7 can support a 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD? I was just informed by Alienware technical support that it only supports up to 1TB. I just purchased a 2TB drive and was about to install it when Dell gave me the bad news. Could you please confirm that 2TB capacity drives have been validated in the M.2 slot? Thanks!

Alienware Desktops

Aurora R7, compatible SSDs

Was this post helpful?