You can swap out the OEM m2 drive with another M2 pcie nvme drive. If you want more than 1 M2 drive, you can add it via adapter, or install it in the M2 slot, and wipe the 128GB drive and drop it into an adapter as a storage drive. Adapters run around $10 so it may be a good way to extend the life of the OEM drive (use it as storage).
On #2, I'd recommend the Samsung Evo 970 Plus 2TB over the crucial option. It is currently $249 so cheaper too. You can run a 2TB m2 nvme drive in the R8.
On #3, you would download the free win 10 from Microsoft.com, boot from USB, and install that way. It won't ask for a license key, that info is based off the mobo, it will active windows automatically. If you had additional purchased add on programs or software you'd need to install that separately. I'd also use the opportunity to switch RAID to AHCI, and eliminate (not install) Intel RST.
Yeah, Dell actually sold the R8 stock with a 2tb boot m2 option. When the r8 first came out it was just 1tb max offered (there was no hardware limitation to 1tb though), so some materials list the 1tb because that was highest sold by Dell (validated) and they didn't update the launch specs. But Dell later included a 2tb option and RTX option shortly before rolling out the R9 facelift, same z370, same chassis, new facelift, and also a 2tb option at launch.
One thing to keep in mind, especially with all that data packed so closely in a tiny form factor, is that extended exposure to high temperatures (like 70 to 80c) could reduce that longevity of the drive and lead to premature failure. If put to heavy use like large file transfers these little gumsticks get really hot fast. But when you're just doing stuff like web browsing that's no sweat for the drive. If you get a pcie adapter they come with freebie heatsinks that prevent rapid heat spikes and help it run a couple degrees cooler.
You can also get standalone heatsinks like this ekwb:
Hi. In your recommendation of the Samsung Evo 970 Plus, I was curious if a heatsink was needed as well? I was trying to research this question online, but the answers are both for and against the idea on the 970+, including Samsung stating it's unnecessary. I figure, since you recommended it for this specific case, you'd know. For what it's worth, I've upgraded my Aurora R8 with an H75 AIO liquid cooler from Corsair, to replace the standard air cooling hint sink that came with my computer. I also replaced the case fans with NF-F12s from Noctua to help cool the case, due to the RTX 2070 I'm using pushing out a bit of heat when it gets going. Thanks again. K
r72019
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December 11th, 2020 14:00
You can swap out the OEM m2 drive with another M2 pcie nvme drive. If you want more than 1 M2 drive, you can add it via adapter, or install it in the M2 slot, and wipe the 128GB drive and drop it into an adapter as a storage drive. Adapters run around $10 so it may be a good way to extend the life of the OEM drive (use it as storage).
r72019
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December 11th, 2020 14:00
On #2, I'd recommend the Samsung Evo 970 Plus 2TB over the crucial option. It is currently $249 so cheaper too. You can run a 2TB m2 nvme drive in the R8.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFZXR1B/ref=twister_B08D7638C8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
r72019
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December 11th, 2020 15:00
On #3, you would download the free win 10 from Microsoft.com, boot from USB, and install that way. It won't ask for a license key, that info is based off the mobo, it will active windows automatically. If you had additional purchased add on programs or software you'd need to install that separately. I'd also use the opportunity to switch RAID to AHCI, and eliminate (not install) Intel RST.
r72019
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December 11th, 2020 15:00
Yeah, Dell actually sold the R8 stock with a 2tb boot m2 option. When the r8 first came out it was just 1tb max offered (there was no hardware limitation to 1tb though), so some materials list the 1tb because that was highest sold by Dell (validated) and they didn't update the launch specs. But Dell later included a 2tb option and RTX option shortly before rolling out the R9 facelift, same z370, same chassis, new facelift, and also a 2tb option at launch.
Krexen
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December 11th, 2020 15:00
"You can run a 2TB m2 nvme drive in the R8."
Oh, it can? Interesting.
I'll check out the EVO, and go from there.
Thanks for responding to my questions.
K
r72019
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December 11th, 2020 15:00
Here's an old OOS R8 listing with the 2tb m2 boot option as configured
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Alienware-Aurora-R8-Gaming-Desktop-Intel-Core-i7-9700-Upto-4-7GHz-16GB-RAM-2TB-NVMe-SSD-1TB-HDD-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-2060-DVDRW-HDMI-DisplayPort-DVI-Wi/788210041
r72019
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December 12th, 2020 11:00
Also, remember that the m2 slot in the R8 is right behind the gpu so you have to use a low profile heatsink or it will hit the gpu.
r72019
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December 12th, 2020 11:00
One thing to keep in mind, especially with all that data packed so closely in a tiny form factor, is that extended exposure to high temperatures (like 70 to 80c) could reduce that longevity of the drive and lead to premature failure. If put to heavy use like large file transfers these little gumsticks get really hot fast. But when you're just doing stuff like web browsing that's no sweat for the drive. If you get a pcie adapter they come with freebie heatsinks that prevent rapid heat spikes and help it run a couple degrees cooler.
You can also get standalone heatsinks like this ekwb:
https://www.amazon.com/EKWB-EK-M-2-NVMe-Heatsink-Black/dp/B073RHHYCM
Krexen
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December 12th, 2020 11:00