XPS 8940, add 2nd 3.5" HDD

Hi, the info is extemely useful.  How do you supply the power for the third hard drive from the mother board?  Or did you supply the power from outside the board?  Thanks.

@Dell8700S_User 

If you do not sufficient open (unsed) sata power connections, you can split one with this splitter cable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V6QA65G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hi, many thanks.  This is really useful information.  After talking to Dell support, I found that we can only have three HDDs and one SSD for XPS8940.

Does a XPS 8940 with i7 11700, RTX 3060Ti, 512 GB nvme, 2 Fans and a 500w PSU have enough juice for additional 2 x 3.5" hdd?

@edob7368 

Yes, it absolutely does. If you do not have sufficient sata power connections just purchase a splitter like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V6QA65G/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apap_UR5I8L3WuMGcM

@Tarak Abu Adam glad to hear that. Out of curiosity, what specs do you have running in your XPS if I may ask?

@edob7368 

Here are my specs:

• i9 10900
• Crucial Ballistix 128GB 3200Mhz DDR4 RAM (4x32GB)
• Nvidia RTX 3070
• 1 x Samsung 980 Pro 500GB SSD (OS and programs)
• 2 x WD Black 10TB HDD in RAID 1 (Docs, pics, videos/movies, music, games)
• Noctua NH-U9S CPU Cooler - CROMAX Black version
• 3 x Noctua 92mm fan - CROMAX Black version (two on CPU cooler and one on rear)
• 2 x Noctua NA-FC1 Fan Control Unit

Until now, I have done nothing except open the case of my XPS 8930 (not a 8940), bought in early 2020). It came with a 2TB HDD and a 512GB NVMe drive. I can't recall the PSU size, but was I was deterred from going further just by the lack of space for fitting another HDD. 

Could I just replace the 2TB Seagate with 8TB or 10TB? - if there is room.

@WesternWombat  Your XPS 8930 has locations for two HDD at the bottom of the case, so you would be able to add a second HDD without removing the first one.  See the image below.

Great - thanks for the image.

I have a large 3.5" I can use there. I'm assuming the PSU is OK as I don't have much else attached. It's a fairly standard graphics card; i7 9700. 

@XPSUser123ABC  Yes you can, it will go in the second 3.5" HDD cage below the optical drive.  That is, unless you are concerned about the thermals in your PC and have started the modding journey including moving your 2TB HDD to the top position and replacing it with a 120mm fan. 

If you get 2   3.5 caddies for the bottom you can put 3 drives in.  If you use 2 R494D you need 2 Sata power splitters and 4 cables with 2X 3.5 caddy for a total of FOUR 2.5 drives.

Extra Cables

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KCS91GY/

One 3.5 drive and One 3,5 caddy with

R494D installed inside it that holds 2 X  2.5 Sata Drives. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VGW3QGP/

You then need extra sata cables and Dell SATA Power Splitter Cable 0N701D

120MM TOP Fan is 7M0F5  BRACKET 13P1-4ZN0201

120MM Front Fan is 7M0F5 but in a plastic bracket No Idea what that part IS

https://www.partscube.com/new-genuine-dell-alienware-aurora-r5-front-case-fan-7m0f5/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T74H5OE/

Fan inside Bracket is 7MF05

3.5 caddy with R494D insertedR494D with SATA SPITTER POWER

Still a bit confusing.  Let's say I just want to add ONLY 1 extra 3.5 SATA HDD of 4TB.  Right now as the XPS 8940 system stands - can I add an extra 3.5 SATA HDD?  

If yes, what else do I need to do?  Do I still need an extra fan?  

Is the easiest solution just remove the 3.5" 2TB HDD that came with the XPS and replace the 2TB with a new 3.5" SATA 4TB or 6TB HDD?  Unplug SATA cable and replug into the new 4TB or 6TB HDD?  Do I need an extra fan?

OK.  Here is what I will do.

1) Locate the second 3.5" cage below my Optical Drive (I have a CD-DVD RW drive, no Optical Drive so will assume you mean the CD/DVD Drive?)

2) If I do the above, I will have no issues with thermals / heat?  

3) I purchase a 4 TB HDD 3.5".  Place it into the available 3.5" cage.

4) Plug the SATA cable (available in the XPS or do I need to buy one?)

5) Ready to go in the XPS?