XPS 8700 Adding Second Hard Drive

Question

Hello - I recently puchased an XPS 8700 and would like to add a second 1TB HDD - Like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840

This HDD - ST1000DM003 - seems identical to the factory installed HDD in my XPS 8700 - SCSI\DiskATA_____ST1000DM003-1CH1CC47

Is this HDD identical or close to my OEM HDD? This is fine with me. I do not require much space - just need a backup drive.

1.) Do I need a HDD caddy of some sort? I haven't opened the case yet. I don't think so after looking at the online manuals but wanted to be certain.

2.) Will these screws work to mount the second HDD to the cage?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817998092

3.) Which SATA cable should I purchase? Manufacturer, length, type, etc.

4.) Is the power supply OK as far as capacity with a second HDD?

Thanks.! Sam

netmanwan · Accepted Answer

Update - I installed the internal hard drive I purchased from Newegg. The XPS 8700 recognized the drive. All I had to do was format the drive.

These are the items I purchased. The XPS 8700 is equipped with a bracket to hold the second hard drive. Thanks again Bev.

Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840

This length cable - 12" - Worked fine.

BYTECC Model SATA-112C 12" SATA II Cable w/Locking Latch

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812270302

StarTech SCREW632R15 Round Head Replacement 6-32 Hard Drive Mounting Screws - Pkg of 15

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817998092

shesagordie · Answer

netmanwan

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840

Yes, the above SATA hard drive, will be fine.

Do I need a HDD caddy of some sort? I haven't opened the case yet. I don't think so after looking at the online manuals but wanted to be certain.

No, there's an open bay for a second hard drive already in the case, you only need the four screws to attach the drive.

ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_xps_desktop/xps-8700_Owner%27s%20Manual_en-us.pdf

Will these screws work to mount the second HDD to the cage?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817998092

Yes.

Which SATA cable should I purchase? Manufacturer, length, type, etc.

SATA-118C 18" Serial ATA-150/300 Cable w/Locking Latch

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812270093

Is the power supply OK as far as capacity with a second HDD?

Yes.

Bev.

netmanwan · Answer

Thanks for the reply!  Great Info!  I had an indea of what I wanted to do but needed some confirmation and guidance. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond shesagordie.  Thanks again! Sam

shesagordie · Answer

netmanwan Sam, You are welcome, I'm glad to have helped. Bev.

netmanwan · Answer

One more question - about the SATA cable. The one you listed does not state that is is rated for 6Gbps.

Is this a problem? The drive I will be purchasing is rated for 6Gbps - same as the OEM drive in the case.

Part of the description from NewEgg's site for the BYTECC Model SATA-118C 18" Serial ATA-150/300 Cable w/Locking Latch is shown below:

Transferring Speed Advantage: It almost has no potential to fasten the transferring speed of Parallel ATA. But for the Serial ATA ,the transferring speed for its incunabular design is 150MB/s , and now it is striding forward to the speed of 300MB/s and even up to 600MB/sOne question about the SATA cable.

Should I be looking for a 6Gbps cable? Like this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123163

Thanks. Sam

shesagordie · Answer

netmanwan

The you posted the link to, will also work fine,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123163

FYI: The fastest transfer speed drives, are the SSD's as there is no mechanical rotation limitation, hence the reason why I'm using SSD's for the primary C: / drive in my newer systems.

Bev.

netmanwan · Answer

OK - Gotcha.  Thanks!

shesagordie · Answer

netmanwan :emotion-21: Bev.

shesagordie · Answer

netmanwan Appreciate the heads up, glad to hear that everything went well.  Bev.

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XPS 8700 Adding Second Hard Drive

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