XPS 8950, M.2 and SATA max capacities - 2TB?

Dell's specs only list configs they've validated in a particular PC model. That doesn't mean bigger drives etc, won't work, but Dell won't be responsible if they don't.

For other PC models where the spec lists 2T max SATA drive, users have reported 4T and even 10T drives working...

Crucial is currently offering a 4T SATA SSD for the XPS 8950, and they typically guarantee things work, or they take them back. So far they're only offering a 2T M.2 NVME SSD for this PC model, but that doesn't mean 4T NVME SSDs won't work, but they'll be pricey. The Crucial 2T NVME is US$320 so I can easily imagine a 4T NVME SSD is ~US$900-$1000.

Shop around for other OEM SSDs to get the best price per T, warranty etc...

AFAIK, there are no limitations on size of the SSD in BIOS or in Windows. And I doubt the Intel chipset drivers have any such limits either.

Maybe you might just start with the 4T SATA SSD upgrade and hold off on the NVME SSD for a while. The XPS 8950 is quite new and others may not have had time to do mods like you're proposing...

Before you install any new drives, you probably will want to change BIOS from RAID to AHCI, because some SSDs don't like RAID. BUT, you have to do it the right way, or you'll make the PC unbootable.

1. Open a Cmd prompt window, run as administrator
   
   
2. Copy-paste this command, which will start Windows in Safe Mode the next time you reboot: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal and press Enter
   
   
3. Restart the computer and tap F2 to enter BIOS setup
   
   
4. Change SATA mode from RAID to AHCI
   
   
5. Save the change and exit Setup; Windows will automatically boot itself in Safe Mode
   
   
6. Open a Cmd prompt window again, as in step #1
   
   
7. Copy-paste this command, which will start Windows in Normal Mode next time you reboot:
   bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot and press Enter
   
   
8. Reboot and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers enabled

Now you're ready for upgrades. And as always, it's your PC, your £ £, and your decisions...

Many thanks for the advice and the AHCI change is a top tip... I would probably missed this in my excitement!    Unfortunately unless I also buy another 4TB Sata SSD as well as the NVME I will need to take the NVME plunge straight away.   

I need to keep my old PC a perfectly viable system so I can cross check my migration of my Music Production system (Cubase) and purchased VSTs. Photography (Lightroom, On1 etc) and Video and other production software.   

The migration task is massive which is why I held off 8 years!

Thanks for the advice.

Alan   

You know what you need better than anybody...

And it's only a few extra bob for a 4T NVME SSD...OK, it's a lot more than a few..!

Post back and let us know how the upgrade goes.

Thanks for the update. Glad everything is working to your expectations!

How soon will you fill up all that new storage space and start looking for 10T drives...??  ;o))

Ha ha,   I've a few more Cubase Vsts to install but after a weeks worth of migration work I'm pretty close to having made the transition.   I've just started a new a new file history backup to my NAS which could take a day or so,     

On a clean new setup I've plenty of space for now, but I'll do a final cross compare and then run the new system for a couple of months and then decommission the old PC which will free up another 6TB of SSD to move across.

For me this PC is a game changer - just run a 3D render which normally takes 1 min 20.... done in 12 secs!   The boot time for my music production system is now pretty instantaneous.  Fantastic!

Alan

Great read and insight Alan. I'm waiting on the same with i7. Given large data files, can I ask how you overcome scratch disk size issues (running out of space) on the boot M2 drive?
Mine comes with 512 m2 drive and 1TB SSD and debating replacing 512 with 2TB or a second M2 giving me 2.5TB.

Hey Allan,

Great minds think alike. I am migrating from my 2014 XPS 8700 as well. And I use it as a DAW with Reaper plus Waves plug-ins, etc...etc...

Did you find the Dell XPS 8950 to be a good selection? I run 3 INTERNAL SATA 4TB drives in series but was shocked when I called Dell and they told be the Max is TB for INTERNAL SATA Hard Drives! 

I need to know whether I need to consider a HP ENVY as an alternative purchase if the Dell XPS has gone into whimp-mode. Let me know. Best, bob

@bsacco1  Tech Support is only going to tell you the max size of SATA HDDs that Dell tested/validated in each of their PC models.

That doesn't mean larger drives won't work. You can probably find threads on this forum about the XPS 8950 with larger SATA HDDs and/or SATA SSDs installed and working. 

Crucial is selling both a 4T M.2 NVME SSD and a 4T 2.5" SATA SSD for the XPS 8950. They guarantee compatibility or they take it back.  So look at other brands too and compare performance, warranty and price per GB to find what suits your needs.

You could install a 4T NVME SSD in the second M.2 slot on the XPS 8950 motherboard and 4T SATA SSD(s) or HDD(s), though a NVME SSD should be faster than the equivalent capacity SATA SSD or SATA HDD.

Specs say XPS 8950 can support up to three two 3.5" SATA HDDs, so there should be enough room for several extra SATA HDDs or SATA SSDs.  Keep in mind that 2.5" drives will require a tray to mount in a 3.5" drive bay....

Ron,

My Dell XPS 8950 that I bought at Costco only have two slots that accept plastic quick remove SATA drive carriages. How would you mount another (third) SATA drive in this case? 

-bob

Sorry, my mistake, up to two 3.5" HDDs in XPS 8950  But there is a thread saying a user mounted a third SATA HDD using zip ties or something like that...

If you get the adapter for a 2.5 inch drive you can fit two 2.5 inch drives into 1 drive bay. If you must have three 3.5 inch HDD, you will have to get creative.