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Optiplex Model Overview regarding UEFI PCIe NVME M.2 Boot Support
Hi,
a couple of days ago I tried to upgrade some Optiplex 790 and 3010 SFF computers and get rid of good ol' SATA HDDs/SSDs by using a PCIe -> M.2 Key M adapter with a current M.2 Key M NVME SSD but after some hours I figured out that both systems aren't able to boot from those SSDs as their individual UEFI lack support and only a handful of older SSDs like the Samsung 950 Pro would work - with some drawbacks like using the PCIe Adapter in the first PCIe 16x slot, using MBR instead of GPT and so on.
As I'm quite curious if there is some kind of support matrix regarding Optiplex' and their ability to boot from NVME M.2 Key M SSDs via UEFI I've chatted with a Dell supporter but only got a hint that current models would support it. No hint about older models (also system specs don't list such stuff) so I hope I can get this question answered via this forum post
tl;dr
Which Optiplex model (the older, the better) does support booting from NVME SSDs via UEFI.
Thanks
D.
speedstep
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47K Posts
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June 7th, 2020 19:00
UEFI class and PCI-E 3.0 Bus are the issues. Models that came out after 2013 and have windows Genuine COA will be UEFI Class 2.3.1 complaint. Its likely that they also have PCI-E bus 2.1 or newer.
That means 9020 models and newer.
The 7010 has CLASS 1 UEFI which does not allow GPT booting because its compatable with 32 bit XP with MBR.
https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=k0ck5
Machines like the 790 and 7010 will never have class 2.3.1 UEFI secure boot bios. One reason is that they support 32 bit XP as well as MSDOS and MBR Legacy booting. All new systems past skylake chipset are WIN10 only 64 bit only end of story. No more legacy booting or OS.
PCI-E bus uses 8b/10b encoding and slower bus speed for version 1 to 2.0
PCI-E bus uses 128b/130b encoding and much faster speed for 2.1 and 3.0 and up.
Thats why Older models like Precision 490 and 690 with PCI-E 1.1 bus cannot use newer cards. Fitting into the slot does not guarantee working even when there is sufficient power to go along with that aka 1000W power supply. PCI-E is not backwards or forwards compatbile for secure boot and power and line code reasons.
Intel started discussing this back in 2009
https://www.intel.com/content/dam/doc/guide/pci-express3-phy-implementation-considerations-idf2009-presentation.pdf
PCI-E M key only booting became standard with UEFI Class 2.3.1 bios.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-uefi
It started with windows 8.0 and continues today with 8.1 and 10.
Secure boot and PCI-E booting are the main features.
speedstep
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June 7th, 2020 19:00
If you want to use your M2 PCI-E drive for storage you can.
Booting will be an issue.
https://www.amazon.com/USB3-1-Type-C-Mobile-10Gbps-Enclosure/dp/B07H6CZRGY
There are some who use clover boot loader that have made it work but thats not a water chicken install and its not one size fits all for all models.
Dorian H.
2 Posts
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June 9th, 2020 09:00
Great, thank you.
That's exactly what I was looking for.
DellJunkei
1 Message
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May 1st, 2021 12:00
Wow. That is a solid answer thank you.
CEG3
24 Posts
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June 23rd, 2021 18:00
You mentioned the 9020 can boot from a NMVE PCIE adapter. What about the 9010?
CEG3
24 Posts
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June 24th, 2021 03:00
Took a closer and I see that the 9010 is a year prior to the 9020 in your graph.
User1190
161 Posts
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June 29th, 2022 15:00
@speedstep, I wonder if you would tell me if this is possible from my Optiplex 3040. Most of what you have explained makes perfect sense but is over my head. All I know is my BIOS Version is 1.19.1
Date 3/21/2022. I have a x4 slot open and wanted to experiment, and maybe even run two drives, maybe an sata ssd for storage or another os on it? From what I see HERE This may be possible.
speedstep
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June 29th, 2022 21:00
@User1190
3040 models with WIN8 key in bios may work when bios is set to AHCI for sata operation and booting is UEFI not Legacy aka Windows XP Vista 7 MBR. UNLESS the 3040 is like the 3010 and 3020 not supporting AHCI at all.
Secure boot does not need to be ON but legacy option roms and CSM must be OFF.
Windows 10 and 11 are not supported but that does not mean not working. USB 2.0 32 gig sandisk cruiser FIT drive and 64 bit windows 10 or 11 and RUFUS 3.18 and you can install 10 or 11 in extended mode UEFI GPT and it will work.
redxps630
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June 29th, 2022 21:00
Re: I have a x4 slot open and wanted to experiment, and maybe even run two drives, maybe an sata ssd for storage or another os on it
3040 MT has three PCIe x 1 and one PCIe x 16
3040 SFF has one each. neither has PCIe x4 slot.
you can add one or more M.2 ssd using PCIe x 1 adapter. to boot from PCIe ssd, another user (chino) reports a way around it. Optiplex 3040 SFF cannot boot from PCIE SSD Adapter - Dell Community
User1190
161 Posts
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June 30th, 2022 05:00
Sorry I did not post the SFF part of this.
You guys are definitely Rockstar's, thanks so much! Obviously this is not necessary but we like to tinker right. I made the mistake of trusting Speccy for the x4 Slot thing, I see now that the official specs are x1, but that warrants more digging right, to see if the official specs are right!
I can still just use the x16 Slot though right?
Slot PCI-E Gen 2 x4
Slot Type PCI-E Gen 2 x4
Slot Usage Available
Data lanes x4
Slot Designation SLOT1
Characteristics 3.3V, PME
Slot Number 0
Slot PCI-E Gen 3
Slot Type PCI-E Gen 3
Slot Usage Available
Data lanes x16
Slot Designation SLOT2
Characteristics 3.3V, PME
Slot Number 1
redxps630
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10.5K Posts
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June 30th, 2022 06:00
Re: I can still just use the x16 Slot though right?
Correct. A PCIex4 card can use the x16 slot.
User1190
161 Posts
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June 30th, 2022 17:00
Thanks again!
Electronics_By_JB
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June 29th, 2023 08:00
Install and boot from an NVMe SSD on a Dell OptiPlex 9020, 7020 or 3020