UNSOLVED

SenpaiMax

updated

4 years ago

S

SenpaiMax

1 Rookie

1 Message

1

4330

July 27th, 2022 12:00

m15 R5, upgrade or add second SSD?

I bought a m15 R5 that i found on discount but only have 256gb ssd.

im thinking about upgrade or add a second ssd (or both) but dont know which ssd pick or if It is any limitation or guide i need go follow.

Pls help.

  • crimsom

    9 Technologist

    6114 Posts

    1907

    0

    Posted July 27th, 2022 12:00

    Hi @SenpaiMax welcome to this free user to user Alienware laptop discussion forum. This is not Dell Support. 

    Support for Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5, Setup and Specifications, Storage says M.2 PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, up to 2TB. Because this is what Dell tested. 

    Crucial System Advisor tool have tested Alienware Alienware m15 R5 | Memory RAM & SSD Upgrades | Crucial.com and say M.2 PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, up to 4TB. This is Crucial database, and internet search for ultrafast SSD gaming card with Dell Heat Sink for laptop is recommended. You may wish to get card which is (BitLocker) encryption capable, just in case your portable laptop and banking information, etc, goes "missing". 

    Use Macrium Software | Reflect Free Edition to create clone (copy) of your 256GB OS(C:) boot drive. 


    [This user does not work for Dell and volunteers their free time. Please remember to say thank you by clicking on my thumb up icon.]

  • A51-06

    7 Practitioner

    3094 Posts

    13670 Points

    1891

    0

    Posted July 27th, 2022 19:00

    @SenpaiMax does your computer have a optional HDD Slot?

    If you do any 2.5 inch HDD thats preferbly over 1Tb is great for the computer.

    If not then I'd recommend upgrading the SSD to a 1Tb drive or adding a secondary NVMe drive that is 1Tb.

    The SSD just has to be either Gen 3 (older but still fast) or Gen 4 (newest and fastest)

    The HDD just has to be SATA 3 and any size works.


    *NOTE: I am NOT a Dell employee, But I am a Community Rockstar*

    Quick Tip: If your laptop has voltage / charging issues, try shutting it down, unplugging power from laptop, hold power button down for 30 seconds to do a full reset!

  • crimsom

    9 Technologist

    6114 Posts

    1883

    0

    Posted July 27th, 2022 23:00

    Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 with Base Cover removedAlienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 with Base Cover removed


    [This user does not work for Dell and volunteers their free time. Please remember to say thank you by clicking on my thumb up icon.]

  • crimsom

    9 Technologist

    6114 Posts

    1877

    0

    Posted July 28th, 2022 01:00

    Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5, Installing or Removing Solid-State Drive (SSD) and Screw Mount

    Dell M.2 2280 Thermal Shield DP/N 026X1Y 26X1YDell M.2 2280 Thermal Shield DP/N 026X1Y 26X1YDell M.2 2230 Thermal Shield DP/N FJ75H 0FJ75HDell M.2 2230 Thermal Shield DP/N FJ75H 0FJ75H Dell M.2 Screw Mount DP/N MHKK8 0MHKK8Dell M.2 Screw Mount DP/N MHKK8 0MHKK8


    [This user does not work for Dell and volunteers their free time. Please remember to say thank you by clicking on my thumb up icon.]

  • A51-06

    7 Practitioner

    3094 Posts

    13670 Points

    1857

    0

    Posted July 28th, 2022 08:00

    Good Morning @SenpaiMax !

    @crimsom and I replied with all the information you need so hopefully you found a solution.


    *NOTE: I am NOT a Dell employee, But I am a Community Rockstar*

    Quick Tip: If your laptop has voltage / charging issues, try shutting it down, unplugging power from laptop, hold power button down for 30 seconds to do a full reset!

  • 1846

    1

    Posted July 28th, 2022 14:00

    Its really simple, I suggest only getting a 2nd SSD since if u upgrade both you'll need to reinstall windows. So if u have a 2nd ssd now u just put it into the laptop and screw it in, then u turn the laptop on and check if its recognized. If that's not the case then u can always just watch a Youtube video on how to activate new ssd's. Everything should work then

  • crimsom

    9 Technologist

    6114 Posts

    1767

    0

    Posted July 31st, 2022 15:00

    Hi @UnfunnyPerson using Macrium Software | Reflect Free Edition to create clone (copy) of 256GB OS(C:) boot drive does not require reinstallation of the Windows operating system. Just swap in the clone (copy) of the OS(C:) boot drive and the Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 laptop works. 


    [This user does not work for Dell and volunteers their free time. Please remember to say thank you by clicking on my thumb up icon.]