XPS8700 (mid 2013) change or remove SSD?

How good are your backups? If it crashed how sad would you be? If you have great backups and it a SSD failure would just be an annoyance then run it till it dies, and you may be surprised it lasts much longer than the tools say it will.

The easiest would be to add a 2.5" SSD and clone your current drive to it.

Also, before you do anything, extract the product key from the BIOS so if you have to re-install you have the key.

Thank you natakuk4.

I guess I can do another disk clone using Acronis, although I quite like the idea of doing a clean Win 10 reinstall, because I don't think the W10 Anniversary edition is as good as the previous build.

My gripe might just be down to the Windows 10 update process, so I like the idea of a clean wipe and install so I can check the W10 install at  significant install steps.

Following on from your suggestion -  and Dan-H's  -  I quite like the idea of an SSD, making an assumption it has a lifetime of more than 3 years, and I shall investigate prices. Your point about enough space is a good one.

One last thing.

Would you advocate a C drive which is SSD and only contains the Windows OS plus stuff that 'usually goes there' (e.g. C:\USERS\user 1; Office files - AND THEN use the 2Tb Seagate HDD for other data storage, such as Video files or older documents?

I ask because there seems to be concerns about putting the Windows OS on one of the newer types of drive, and some people say you will get a speed increase but may have problems.

I guess that causes me to ask what is a reasonable disk strategy for the future?

I don't think I have a space issue.....I do backups - or even file old work - onto external WD Passports, so my drives are usually less than 50% full at most times.... I think my issue is to find a suitable drive to last 5 years if possible.

Any comments anyone?

Thanks

I usually have the OS on the C: and data on the HDDs. See here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQXlya8Lljo 

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows-8-1/solid-state-drive-and-hard-drive-configuration/

The SSD is fast so Windows and files you are working on for instance a video that's being edited should be on the SSD as this'll give you a performance boost in terms of raw speed. Files being stored should be on HDDs because they can store more and are better for long term storage solutions.

Guys,

Two  last questions please.

Do you have any recommendations for make of SSD?  I know Samsung is very popular and cost effective, but some say Intel is more appropriate.

Any suggestions about what to get  - or indeed - what to definitely avoid?  My first reaction to looking online is the vast specification range. If I said I wanted one approx. 500Gb, what do I need to look for to work with the XPS8700?

Do I need to also buy some sort of  caddy fitting specifically from Dell?

Finally, you mentioned extracting the product key from the BIOS.  I do not understand this.               Is it used to identify the Dell number or is it some part of Windows 8 or Windows 10 (in my case) ?

Thanks

Thanks for your advice

Appreciated!

My preference is the 2.5 inch 500 GB Samsung evo 850. It is a good size to hold programs and some data, just not all of your gigapixel photos or movies etc.

There are many adapters. I like the generic 5 1/4 ones that will hold a 3.5 or a 2.5 inch drive. It doesn't need to be fancy.

I suggest belarc advisor to get the BIOS key.

www DOT belarc.com/free_download.html

Also, I would run a diagnostic scan on that seagate drive. the family had three seagates, two in 8700s, one in an 8500 and two of three failed. I replaced the third a few weeks ago and am now running all WD drives.

I must admit I had misunderstood mSATA and SSD when I purchased the unit. I thought they were the same. Your idea sounds good. I presume SSD has a longer life than mSata drives mounted on the mobo.

I'm not sure that a 2.5 inch SSD has longer life than an mSATA ssd, but the newer generation SSDs seem to be lasting longer and are faster.

The reason I like a 2.5 inch format is it is more portable when I want to upgrade, and there are tons of mounting choices. I helped a friend add one to a crowded small form factor PC and we used double stick tape and put it on top of the DVD burner. Ghetto - yes. But I think it is still working today a couple of years later.

Its easy an inexpensive to convert MSATA to 2.5 inch SSD with SD-ADA40077.

https://www.amazon.com/2-5-Inch-Adapter-External-Storage-SD-ADA40077/dp/B00G8772CS

Its easy an inexpensive to convert MSATA to 2.5 inch SSD with SD-ADA40077. https://www.amazon.com/2-5-Inch-Adapter-External-Storage-SD-ADA40077/dp/B00G8772CS

Is that adapter really USB 2 and SATA 1?

If so, there are better versions of this type of adapter, and  since mSATA SSDs are more expensive no reason for one.

Samsung, Intel and Crucial are the most reputable. The SSD are available in 3 formats 2.5", m.2 and mSATA. m.2. is however superseding mSATA but they are not cross compatible.

Personally I prefer Crucial but I can't complain about the Samsung in my Latitude 7350.

The Crucial MX300 for instance are m.2 and 2.5 " only:

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/storage-ssd-mx300

The previous generation Crucial MX200 was m.2, mSATA and 2.5 ":

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/storage-ssd-mx200

Specific upgrades for your system here:

http://uk.crucial.com/gbr/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/xps-8700

You don't need any specialised Dell caddy but may need a 2.5 " to 3.5 " adaptor and a SATA cable. The power supply cable for the SSD will be part of your system. Crucial drives usually come with such an adaptor which does the trick but its generally nothing special.

Windows 10 RS1 installation will automatically input your product key during installation picking it up from the systems hardware (UEFI BIOS SLP key). It will install the correct Edition of Windows 10. i.e. you don't need to worry abut the product key. See here for more details:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-10-oem-and-retail-iso/

USB2 and SATA 3

The specs listed on amazon are wrong for the Syba SD-ADA40077

sill would be better if it was USB 3.