dell OptiPlex 780 SFF - adding HDD

Question

Hello all,

Been trying to google this and read the specs but I still am not sure on the definitive answer. I have dell OptiPlex 780 SFF which has 3.5" HDD. Since the motherboard has another SATA connectors, I thought of adding additional 2.5" Solid State disk to speed up the system and use the existing 3.5" HDD for data. Now, I suppose this would work, since there (according to specs) should be 3 SATA connectors, and 3.5" and 2.5" SATA connectors for both power and data should be the same. Can anyone confirm that this will work (I'm like 90% sure it would) and more important - is there room inside SFF case for 2.5" drive? Can it be laid under the CD/DVD where card reader is supposed to be?

thanx,

D.

speedstep · Accepted Answer

You can confirm for yourself that there are no extra power connections and no way to mount an additional hard drive.

Hard Drive

Dell™ OptiPlex™ 780 Service Manual—Small Form Factor

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

Removing the Hard Drive

Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
Release the cable tie.

Disconnect the data cable from the system board.

Press in on the blue securing tabs on each side of the drive chassis and slide the drive chassis up and out of the computer.

Disconnect the hard drive power cable.

Disconnect the hard-drive fan cable.

Remove the hard-drive chassis from the computer.

Disconnect the hard-drive data cable from the hard-drive chassis by pulling on the blue tab.

Remove the hard-drive data cable from the outside of the drive chassis.

Remove the fan cable from the outside of the hard-drive cage.

To release the hard-drive fan, lift up on the blue tab and rotate it counter-clockwise.

Remove the hard-drive fan.

To release the hard drive from the cage, pull back on the blue tabs and pull forward on the hard drive.

Remove the hard drive component from the hard drive chassis.

Replacing the Hard Drive

To replace the hard drive, perform the above steps in reverse order.

Back to Contents Page

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Dell™ OptiPlex™ 780

Service Manual (Desktop)	View<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>	Download	(HTML, 13.00 MB)
Service Manual (Mini-Tower)	View<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>	Download	(HTML, 18.80 MB)
Service Manual (Small Form Factor)	View<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>	Download	(HTML, 12.00 MB)
Service Manual (Ultra Small Form Factor)	View<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>	Download	(HTML, 5.97 MB)
Setup and Features Information Tech Sheet (Desktop, Mini-Tower, Small Form Factor)	View<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>	Download	(PDF, 772 KB)
Setup and Features Information Tech Sheet (Ultra Small Form Factor)	View<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>	Download	(PDF, 350 KB)
Dell Mounting Bracket - Setup Diagram (Ultra Small Form Factor)	View<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>	Download	(PDF, 1.91 MB)
Dell Mounting Bracket - User's Guide (Ultra Small Form Factor)	View<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>	Download	(HTML, 365 KB)
Dell Mounting Bracket - User's Guide (Ultra Small Form Factor)	View<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>	Download	(PDF, 1.45 MB)

dalanik · Answer

Thank you very much for your answer. It is a pity. I noticed in specs it says 3 SATA connectors so it seemd logical 1 is HDD 2nd is DVD that 1 must be free... well. Do you think something like this would work:

http://www.akasa.co.uk/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&no=181&type=Enclosures&type_sub=2.5%20Enclosure&model=AK-OA2SSA-BK

It is a notebook DVD bay replacement in which you can put hard drive...

Thank you very much.

D.

ATL Dell Guy · Answer

The Optiplex 780 SFF (small form factor) machine has three SATA data ports on the motherboard, but only two SATA power connectors available. A second hard drive can be mounted between the base hard drive and the optical drive with no additional mounting hardware. Attach four of the hard drive screws provided on the inside of the floppy bay cover door (which must be removed) to the drive and then insert it down into the drive bracket system at the slot numbered as "2", then forward (just like the optical drive) until it "clicks" into the locking mechanism. If you want to use all three drives, then you will need a one additional SATA data cable as well as one SATA power splitter to get power to the third drive from one of the two provided SATA power connectors.

Note that it can be a bit of a trick to get the locking mechansim to properly lock into both drives (2nd hard drive and optical drive). Try pushing both drives forward from the rear while manipulating the locking mechansim up and down. When you hear the "click" it's all good.

ottumwaia · Answer

You need to specify the model you have. There is a great difference in the models under the Octiplex 780 and the way they are built. I have the minitower. It has two hard drive slots and a SATA connection on the back. I am looking for information on using the connector on the back panel, installing secondary and using dual boot option. I have installed the second internal drive, but it is not recognized. Any suggestions?

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