XPS 8930, replacing Optane with SSD

Question

I think I am going to bite the bullet and replace the included Optane Memory that came with the 8930 with an SSD. More specifically, I want to add a Samsung 970 EVO NVME SSD - 250GB. Current drive is 1TB HDD (plus the Optane) Also will keep the existing hard drive as a data drive. Logically, I think these are the steps that would be required:

1) Disable Optane in the app.
2) Move to a backup drive My Documents and Downloads. This will get the utilized capacity of the HDD below 250GB
3) Shut down the system - remove power
4) Open up case - remove Optane module from the M2 slot and replace with SSD
5) Reapply power and boot up PC
6) Use cloning tool (Macrium Reflect or EaseUS ToDo Backup) to clone HDD to SSD
7) Power down 8930 and then power up going to System BIOS and make SSD Boot Drive and HDD secondary drive
8) Cross fingers and reboot
9) Assuming all went well, restore HDD with My Documents and Downloads.
10) "Tell" Windows that My Documents and Downloads now located on Drive D

Did I miss anything?

546insp · Answer

I tried that m.2 in my 8920 with no luck but some say it's because the drive was only plugged in and not **bleep** down since Dell was too stingy to add that screw and I got tired of waiting for one to arrive so I sent the 970 back.

They bleeped me for saying scre#### down...…..lol

Tesla1856 · Answer

Yeah, something like this might work. I wrote-up something a while back for someone.

A clean install would be better. This will allow you to:

- Switch to AHCI Mode
- Ditch all the Intel-RST, Intel-Optane, and Dell software (and never re-install any of it).

Should also allow a clean separation from (killing off) of Optane . There was a question if some config stayed behind in UEFI. IIRC, disabling Optane and making sure machine still ran was suggested (before final Imaging or even erasing drives to RAW).

Bach Fan · Answer

Did it work?

preskittman · Answer

I chickened out :)) Decided that my reboot times were fast enough - especially since I typically only reboot once a week or so. I did buy a 1TB SATA SSD and installed it as my E: drive and move all my data folders there. I'm happy.

Bach Fan · Answer

Has anyone replaced Optane with a PCIe NVMe M.2. Did it work?

I need the manual for the motherboard. I want to upgrade from Intel Optane to a WD PCIe NVMe M.2. I need to know the proper BIOS settings and procedures to make the change.

Bach Fan · Answer

Can anyone has a xps 8930 that came with a PCIe NVMe tell me what their Bios settings are. It would be greatly appreciated.. Thank you

Brackjo · Answer

Hi

Did you manage to get this sorted with the bios. No matter what I try I cannot get the M.2 to boot. I think it’s because of intel octane software still being present it giving errors.

I wish someone had created a video specifically for the removal of the octane and install of the Samsung 970 pro m.2 including the bio settings

if any has any step by step tips it would be a godsend

regards

546insp · Answer

@Brackjo wrote:

Hi

Did you manage to get this sorted with the bios. No matter what I try I cannot get the M.2 to boot. I think it’s because of intel octane software still being present it giving errors.

I wish someone had created a video specifically for the removal of the octane and install of the Samsung 970 pro m.2 including the bio settings

if any has any step by step tips it would be a godsend

regards

Octane? Why didn't you just keep it and why did you buy it that way at first? Did you not like it?

Tesla1856 · Answer

@Brackjo wrote:

No matter what I try I cannot get the M.2 to boot. I think it’s because of intel octane software still being present it giving errors.

Others have reported some trouble with this scenario.

I think we discovered it was best to de-activate and properly remove the Oplame module first. Make sure machine still runs without it.

Then proceed to clone, image, clean-install, etc. :

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Aurora-R7-M-2-NVMe-bootable-options/td-p/6073037

546insp · Answer

Tesla;  I was thinking about getting my next computer with Optane installed, do think think that is a bad idea? Do you not like it? What is wrong with it if anything?

preskittman · Answer

I have Optane installed in combination with a 7200 rpm HDD. I can categorically state that the system is notably faster with Optane enabled than without it. For my purposes, it is fast enough, and the pain of switching to SSD (either NVMe or SATA) is not worth it. While not apples to apples, the speed of loading my large Quicken data file (156 MB) is faster on my Optane system than on my HP Laptop with a SATA SSD drive). My guess is that it would probably be faster on Dell with an NVMe SSD, but at this point in time, as noted, not the worth the trouble to convert.

Having said that,

1) Your data access patterns may be different than mine making SSD a better option
2) It is probably today a different value proposition to purchase SSD built in rather than Optane. In terms of the raw cost (not the difference in what Dell charges for a configured system), a 16GB Optane module on Amazon costs $35 and a 1TB HDD is about $50. So total cost of parts: $85. A 1TB NVMe SSD costs (without any special sales which are frequent) in the $160 and up range. Would Dell only charge $75 to $100 for NVMe - my guess is it would be notably more than that. A 1TB SATA SSD can be had for $125 (again, without taking into account sale prices).

Bottom line for me, I got my 8930 with Optane because Costco had a great sale going on for this particular machine (Optane + 1TB HDD + 32GB RAM + GEForce GPU for $1050). A similarly configured system on the Dell site at that time was several hundred dollars more. I don't regret my decision.

Tesla1856 · Answer

@546insp wrote:

Tesla;

I was thinking about getting my next computer with Optane installed, do think think that is a bad idea? Do you not like it? What is wrong with it if anything?

AFAIK, there are 2 basic kinds of "Optane".

The 16-32gb Optane that Dell is selling in these machines is just a "caching" solution. The data it serves-up still has to be retrieved (usually, from a slow spinning HDD).

Normal-sized Intel Optane SSD are finally available, but they are pricey. Most are built-into a PCIe Addin card. Sure, buy that if you think you need it.

Alternatively, M.2-2280/NVMe SSDs are cheap, crazy fast, and pretty much an industry standard now-days. With a NVMe-512gb as C: and a 1000gb 2.5inch SATA-3/600 SSDs for D: ... do you need more than that?

Lots on Google and hardware-review websites about Optane. If you like videos instead, this guy is entertaining:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwH5Q8ZFJvw

or

https://www.youtube.com/user/LinusTechTips/search?query=optane

546insp · Answer

@Tesla1856 wrote:

@546insp wrote:

Tesla;

I was thinking about getting my next computer with Optane installed, do think think that is a bad idea? Do you not like it? What is wrong with it if anything?

AFAIK, there are 2 basic kinds of "Optane".

The 16-32gb Optane that Dell is selling in these machines is just a "caching" solution. The data it serves-up still has to be retrieved (usually, from a slow spinning HDD).

Normal-sized Intel Optane SSD are finally available, but they are pricey. Most are built-into a PCIe Addin card. Sure, buy that if you think you need it.

Alternatively, M.2-2280/NVMe SSDs are cheap, crazy fast, and pretty much an industry standard now-days. With a NVMe-512gb as C: and a 1000gb 2.5inch SATA-3/600 SSDs for D: ... do you need more than that?

Lots on Google and hardware-review websites about Optane. If you like videos instead, this guy is entertaining:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwH5Q8ZFJvw

or

https://www.youtube.com/user/LinusTechTips/search?query=optane

Thanks, I looked at all the videos (he is goofy) and I think I will pass on the Optane next time around.

XPS Desktops

XPS 8930, replacing Optane with SSD

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