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296668
July 26th, 2013 04:00
Alienware X51 R2 - Adding my own SSD
Hi all,
According to the Dell UK configuration page, the X51 R2 has dual hard drive options – I want purchase the 1TB 5400RPM SATA 3Gb/s drive version and then add my own 2.5 inch Samsung 256GB 830 SSD SATA as an additional drive.
I want to know however if a 2.5 inch SSD SATA would be compatible with the X51 R2.
To ease the pain of anyone else asking themselves a similar question - I requested an answer from Dell directly and unfortunately I am receiving confused responses. I will update this thread when I have received more clarity.
This makes for painful reading, but here is my progress so far (N.B I have removed the Dell Representatives name)
| Time |
Details |
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| 07/26/2013 09:49:28AM |
Session Started with Agent () |
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| 07/26/2013 09:49:28AM |
Imran Khan: "1. I understand the X51 has dual hard drive options – I want purchase the 2TB SATA drive and then add my own 2.5 inch Samsung 256GB 830 SSD SATA with the existing drive. Please could you confirm if this drive is compatible? 2. According to the dell websit" |
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e the SATA speed is listed as 3Gb/s and 6Gb/s. Please could you confirm which is correct? 3. Is a third party slot loading Blu ray drive compatible with the X51? |
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| 07/26/2013 09:49:45AM |
Agent (): "Thank you for contacting Dell Sales Chat . My name is Ram, your Online Sales Advisor. My email is (removed)" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:49:50AM |
Agent (): "Hope you are doing well! In order to serve you better,may I have your telephone number,in case of Chat disconnect I can call you?" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:49:55AM |
Agent (): "Hi," |
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| 07/26/2013 09:49:57AM |
Agent (): "There are a few instances where chats get disconnected (we don't disconnect you on purpose),just in case this happens you can e-mail me directly" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:50:12AM |
Agent (): "Imran," |
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| 07/26/2013 09:50:17AM |
Imran Khan: "my phone number is (removed)" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:50:44AM |
Agent (): "you can add the HD from your end" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:50:48AM |
Agent (): "after you receive the goods" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:51:11AM |
Agent (): "you can use the blu-ray on dell tower" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:51:30AM |
Agent (): "regarding the compatibility you need to check with the vendors" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:51:42AM |
Agent (): "as we cannot comment, on it, as they will work with dell PC" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:52:25AM |
Imran Khan: "when you say dell tower - are you referring to the x51?" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:52:52AM |
Agent (): "yes that is right i meant x51" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:53:42AM |
Imran Khan: "thanks. just to be clear - if I purchase the 2TB Sata drive option, I can add an *additional* ssd drive?" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:55:47AM |
Agent (): "I am checking" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:57:14AM |
Imran Khan: "therefore there we would be 2 hard drives, one SATA and one SSD. i know the X51 supports dual drive options, but i want to know if i can purchase the 2TB Sata Drive version only and then add my own SSD drive" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:57:18AM |
Agent (): "Hi," |
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| 07/26/2013 09:57:21AM |
Agent (): "please hold on" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:58:23AM |
Imran Khan: "ok" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:58:30AM |
Agent (): "X51 supports SATA and SSD" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:58:40AM |
Agent (): "you have the option to add the second hard drive after you receive the goods" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:59:04AM |
Agent (): "hard-drive option available on Alienware X51 is" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:59:10AM |
Agent (): "500 GB, 3.5", SATA 3.0, 7200 RPM Drive 1 TB, 3.5", SATA 3.0, 7200 RPM Drive 2 TB, 3.5", SATA 3.0, 7200 RPM Drive" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:59:19AM |
Agent (): "we only ship goods with SATA" |
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| 07/26/2013 09:59:55AM |
Imran Khan: "you also ship the X51 with the SSD option" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:00:04AM |
Imran Khan: "i.e. 256GB SSD + 1TB 5400RPM SATA 3Gb/s" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:00:55AM |
Agent (): "we ship only with SATA" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:01:50AM |
Imran Khan: "thanks. So just so i understand - you cannot purchase the alienware X51 with an SSD drive?" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:02:12AM |
Agent (): "we have only one model with 256 SSD" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:02:13AM |
Agent (): "http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&kc=&oc=D00AR222" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:02:17AM |
Agent (): "please view this one" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:02:35AM |
Agent (): "Hope this helps you" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:03:02AM |
Imran Khan: "i want to buy this one" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:03:03AM |
Imran Khan: "http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=d00ar218&model_id=alienware-x51-r2&c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:03:07AM |
Agent (): "ok" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:03:14AM |
Agent (): "we cannot make any changes to it" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:03:18AM |
Agent (): "as these are fixed models" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:03:20AM |
Imran Khan: "but without the SSD - i want to use my own one" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:03:24AM |
Agent (): "when are you planning to buy'" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:03:59AM |
Imran Khan: "hopefully when my questions are answered" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:04:05AM |
Agent (): "ok great what is the UK delivery address please" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:04:16AM |
Agent (): "are you able to view the given link" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:04:35AM |
Imran Khan: "no i don't mean i want to order it right now" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:05:04AM |
Agent (): "oh.. ok" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:05:11AM |
Agent (): "any more queries Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:05:43AM |
Imran Khan: "i am saying i want to buy the one in the link i provided, but with the 2TB (64MB Cache) 7200 RPM SATA 3Gb/s version only" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:06:29AM |
Agent (): "Imran the given link from your end comes with" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:06:30AM |
Agent (): "256GB SSD + 1TB 5400RPM SATA 3Gb/s" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:06:47AM |
Agent (): "we cannot amend any changes on this" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:06:53AM |
Agent (): "this is fixed one" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:07:29AM |
Agent (): "these are fixed configurations, that come from Factory" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:07:46AM |
Imran Khan: "check the link again - there are two options to select from" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:08:03AM |
Imran Khan: "Option 1: 2TB (64MB Cache) 7200 RPM SATA 3Gb/s [****]" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:08:15AM |
Imran Khan: "Option 2: 256GB SSD + 1TB 5400RPM SATA 3Gb/s [****]" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:08:42AM |
Agent (): "when you customise and go to the Hard drive" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:08:46AM |
Imran Khan: "i want to purchase option 1, and then add my own 2.5 inch Samsung 256GB 830 SSD drive after purchasing" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:08:54AM |
Agent (): "only 1 option is available" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:08:55AM |
Agent (): "256GB SSD + 1TB 5400RPM SATA 3Gb/s [****]" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:09:09AM |
Agent (): "http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&kc=&oc=D00AR222" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:09:16AM |
Agent (): "i am looking at this link" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:10:04AM |
Imran Khan: "perhaps you should look at the link i requested you to look at?" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:10:05AM |
Imran Khan: "http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=d00ar218&model_id=alienware-x51-r2&c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:10:23AM |
Agent (): "ok, let me check Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:10:40AM |
Agent (): "yes you are right" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:10:44AM |
Agent (): "we have 2 option on this" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:10:54AM |
Imran Khan: "so once again - i want to purchase Option 1, and then add my own 2.5 inch Samsung 256GB 830 SSD drive after purchasing. Am i able to do this?" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:11:06AM |
Agent (): "yes you can do that Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:11:17AM |
Agent (): "you can add the 2nd Hard drive from your end" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:13:08AM |
Imran Khan: "will the 2.5 inch Samsung 256GB 830 SSD SATA be compatible?" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:14:00AM |
Agent (): "yes it will be compatible" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:14:11AM |
Imran Khan: "are you sure?" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:14:57AM |
Agent (): "yes its compatible Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:15:15AM |
Agent (): "Bays" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:15:19AM |
Agent (): "One HDD (3.5")" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:15:25AM |
Agent (): "One Slot Load ODD (5.25")" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:16:15AM |
Agent (): "2.5 inch Samsung is compatible on X51 tower" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:17:05AM |
Imran Khan: "i am confused - i just recieved an e-mail from your colleague who has also answered my questions" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:17:13AM |
Imran Khan: "Please excuse the delayed reply. Because of unexpected several issues on our E-Mail Servers, many E-Mails were misrouted and this was the cause for the hold-up in the reply time. We are very sorry for this and hope you have comprehension with it. |
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l do my best to help you with your query. |
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ne SSD and one SATA hard drive. The system board has an mSATA slot that will support mSATA cards. |
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newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=msata%20ssd&Submit=ENE |
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| 07/26/2013 10:17:40AM |
Agent (): "Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:17:44AM |
Imran Khan: "I have also e-mailed his message to you" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:17:46AM |
Agent (): "who has sent the e-mail" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:18:31AM |
Agent (): "are you available on" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:18:33AM |
Agent (): "my phone number is (removed)" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:18:37AM |
Agent (): "calling" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:18:57AM |
Imran Khan: "i currently cannot speak on the phone" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:19:54AM |
Agent (): "ok, please hold on kindly i am checking this with our technical team" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:23:29AM |
Agent (): "is that ok, if i will confirm the same and e-mail you Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:23:40AM |
Agent (): "to your e-mail id Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:24:04AM |
Agent (): "i have received your e-mail Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:24:15AM |
Agent (): "i will check this with our technical team" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:24:30AM |
Agent (): "My apologies, for all the delay and trouble you are facing Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:25:35AM |
Imran Khan: "let me know when you have an answer" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:25:56AM |
Agent (): "sure, will update you Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:26:06AM |
Agent (): "for further queries, you can directly e-mail me in future" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:26:46AM |
Agent (): "Is there anything else I may assist you with today?" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:28:02AM |
Imran Khan: "no thanks - query number 2 was answered by your collegue" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:28:15AM |
Agent (): "ok" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:28:19AM |
Imran Khan: "for now i doubt i will be purchasing the x51, due to the lack of clarity on my questions" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:28:41AM |
Imran Khan: "thank you for your time and support" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:28:43AM |
Agent (): "i will answer your query once i have an update from our technical team" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:28:51AM |
Agent (): "i have also e-mailed you on this" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:28:54AM |
Agent (): "Cheers Imran" |
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| 07/26/2013 10:31:24AM |
Session Ended |
Buster_A
1 Message
0
August 3rd, 2013 09:00
Hi all,
I happen to own a X51 R2 and can tell you the configuration options you have on it.
When you buy the X51 with the one (=3.5") HDD option there will be no space at all to put a SSD in (or on top) the same bracket as well.
There are 3 sata connections on the motherboard. One for the optical drive, one for the 3.5" HDD, and one unused.
For power you will have to use a molex Y-cable on the boards only female molex connector.
Please see this video on how to properly disassemble your X51:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRjTe_bGQVQ
Hope this solves everybody's questions
ImranAmi
10 Posts
1
August 5th, 2013 03:00
For the avoidance of any doubt - this has also been confirmed by Alienware technical support via the mail trail below.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Khan,
Yes, you understood correctly. It's exactly how you wrote.
Have a nice day.
Kind regards,
E-Mail Support Specialist
Dell | EMEA Consumer Customer Services
CER_Services_Email1@dell.com
Original Message Follows: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: (removed)
Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 5:31 PM
To: CER_TS_CONS_UKI_AW
Cc: CER_Services_Email1
Subject: RE: Alienware X51 R2 (KMM50385075V53935L0KM)
Hi,
Just so I understand, there are two options:
This option includes one 2.5 SSD and a second 2.5 1TB drive in a dual drive bracket. I can then remove the Wi-Fi card and use the empty slot to install an additional SSD mSATA card.
The 2TB option is a 3.5 inch drive and therefore only this drive will fit into the dual drive bracket. I can however remove the Wi-Fi card and install an SSD mSATA card.
Please confirm this is correct?
ImranAmi
10 Posts
0
July 26th, 2013 04:00
I just received the below response from another Dell Representative. Hopefully this answers the question but I am going to obtain further clarification.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Khan,
Thank you for your e-mail.
Please excuse the delayed reply. Because of unexpected several issues on our E-Mail Servers, many E-Mails were misrouted and this was the cause for the hold-up in the reply time. We are very sorry for this and hope you have comprehension with it.
I will do my best to help you with your query.
Alienware X51 R1 supports only one hard drive and one optical drive. Alienware X51 R2 supports both SSD and SATA hard drives. An optional SSD connector is available on the system board and customers can order one SSD and one SATA hard drive. The system board has an mSATA slot that will support mSATA cards.
Therefore, you wouldn't be able to put the SSD from your link together with the 2TB SATA drive into this computer. The SSD must be mSATA drive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=msata%20ssd&Submit=ENEPost
The mechanical hard drive is 2 TB, 3.5", SATA 3.0, 7200 RPM Drive. It is 6 Gbit/s.
Please let me know if the information I sent you has helped you.
I wish you a nice day.
mav711
245 Posts
0
July 28th, 2013 21:00
For dual drives, they must both be 2.5" drives in the dual drive bracket that comes with the x51 R2. Otherwise with a 3.5" 2tb they are correct only an msata ssd can be used.
ImranAmi
10 Posts
0
July 29th, 2013 02:00
Thanks Mav711. This was also the same answer from Dell Technical Support.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Khan,
Thank you for your e-mail.
Firstly, we would like to apologize for this confusion. The information about hard drives is not quite clear in the service manual for Alienware X51 R2, that's why you were given different information from each agent.
I discussed it with my technical superiors and they told me that the the system can have all together 3 hard drives; 2 of them 2.5" drives in a special HDD caddy and one additional mSATA SSD in a slot on the motherboard ,where Wi-Fi is installed. So if you buy a system with one 3.5" HDD (2TB) and WiFi card, it's not posible to add one more hard drive without removing one of these components.
Please let me know if the information I sent you has helped you.
Have a nice day.
Kind regards,
<ADMIN NOTE: Non-public info removed as per TOU>
E-Mail Support Specialist
Dell | EMEA Consumer Customer Services
CER_Services_Email1@dell.com
onelot
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
August 1st, 2013 12:00
Ok.. I am confused. I to have got the same types of answers to this question from Dell service represenatives. I would like one, straight answer. What answer is correct? Please advise