XPS 8900, SSD compatibility?

I am talking about the slot on the motherboard not something for a drive bay.  This should be a simple question for a DELL support rep, but I can't seem to get a straight answer.  I even ordered a SATA M.2 card that is supposed to work (according to DELL rep) but I am told by Crucial tech support that it will not, because I need a PCIe card for the motherboard slot.  Who the heck is right ?

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@DELL-Chris Mwrote:

 

All of the SSD sold with the 2015 XPS 8900 were M.2/SATA3.

 

So, that about covers it, thanks.

However, I've never heard of mSata being called M.2/SATA3 ... that's just too confusing. Like @beamermt79 says, you simply refer to it as "mSata". 

Like the similar looking Mini-PCIe ... you just call it (wait for it) ... Mini-PCIe.

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@DELL-Chris Mwrote:

 

1. Yes, Dell does use mSATA.

2. But the word msata was not listed in either guide.

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1. Good.

2. Yes, that is unfortunate and confusing. :Smile:

Keep up the good work. :Cool:

I have the 8900 with a Samsung 256GB M.2 80mm SSD with label: PM851 p/n MZNTE 256 HMHP 000D1.  The drive is full.  I need a 512GB version.  Where can I find this drive - need exact p/n to ensure it will fit and work.

I have scanned the internet for a replacement drive but cannot find one.  Does DELL have the drive for sale?

My service tag is; 

Richard

You don't need the same one.

I'm not exactly following your suggestion?  It appears that you are saying scrap my existing 8900 and buy a new one that now has an EVO in it instead of the M.2 SSD?  Be a  little more specific as there appears nothing in your response that addresses my question.

You shouldn't have compatibility problems with any M.2 SATA SSD in the Dell XPS 8900.  Here's someone running a 500MB Samsung 850 EVO (which is a SATA SSD) in its M.2 slot.  You should be fine with the latest Samsung 860 series in M.2 format as well (also a SATA SSD).

Note you can put a M.2 NVMe SSD in the M.2 slot, but it will be restricted to a quarter of its performance (~800 MB/s - still faster than a SATA SSD's ~500 MB/s).  But, adding a M.2 NVMe to PCIe adapter will give you full performance of ~3,500 MB/s for a M.2 NVMe SSD (like, for example the Samsung 970 series).  See here for details.

I really appreciate your response!  You have made a clear answer and easy to understand.  I may go the NVMe route via the PCIe interface.  Am anxious to try it!

Be aware that the NVMe route can be a little trickier to set up than SATA.  However, it would let you re-use your existing M.2 SATA SSD as a data drive (using the native M.2 slot it's already in, since the NVMe SSD wouldn't use it). 

Note if doing a fresh install then only the new SSD should be in the machine during the install and first boot.  I'd do the same if cloning - meaning first time booting it with the new SSD make sure it's the only drive in the machine.

Thank you again for the info.  I now have on order at Amazon the following:

• Samsung 970 PRO 512GB - NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 SSD (MZ-V7P512BW)
• Mailiya M.2 PCIe to PCIe 3.0 x4 Adapter - Support M.2 PCIe 2280, 2260, 2242, 2230

• Yes, I had planned to leave the existing 256GB M.2 in place and use it as another drive, after reformatting it.  I have 2 SATA hard drives installed also, a 1TB and a 2 TB.
• So what I am hearing from you: 1. Install the new NVMe drive. 2. Clone the existing drive C: (the M.2 SSD drive) over to the new NVMe drive.  3. Power down then disconnect all drives from power and SATA interfaces + remove the M.2 SSD physically from the board.  The reboot the PC. 4.  After first boot then power down and reconnect all drives.
• Of course before I start any part of this upgrade, do an image of my existing C: drive.  I use Macrium Reflect product for image backup.
• Have I left anything out or out of sequence?

Yes, removing your existing Windows drive on first boot of the new cloned one is especially important - much easier with only one bootable drive in the machine.  There may be some BIOS changes needed, at the very least selecting the new boot device.  Note the clone should be of all partitions on your existing Windows device, not just the "C: drive" partition containing Windows.