Adding a second hard drive to an optiplex 9020

Question

Hi. I'm new to building and messing around with computers.

I looked at the manual but didn't find what I needed. I ordered a 1tb SSD drive and I do see that I there will be two sata cables. One goes to the motherboard and the other to the hard drive power supply. If I ordered another pair of these cables, would I be able to add a regular 1tb HDD (not SSD). Thanks!

redxps630 · Accepted Answer

optiplex 9020 uses Dell proprietary psu that is prototype of new ATX12VO standard. PSU only supplies 12V to motherboard. Motherboard generates and supplies additional 5V and 3.3V for sata devices. Optiplex 9020 MT supports two 3.5/2.5” hdd/ssd. The sata power cable (HDD and optical drive power connector, #15 below) should have two sata connectors available.

Re: One goes to the motherboard and the other to the hard drive power supply.

If your current cable has only one connector, you need to get a new cable. Motherboard has only one sata power 6 pin connector socket. The other end of new cable has two sata connectors.

You also need a sata data cable if not already provided.

Need further assistance? Use the "Get Help Now" option at the bottom right to chat with a Dell technician right away.

redxps630 · Answer

Dell sata power cable CR9TD should have 4 sata power connectors.  It is designed for maximum 2 sata hdd/ssd and 2 sata odd.

redxps630 · Answer

If you have 9020 SFF, it can support two 2.5' hdd/ssd but only one 3.5' hdd/ssd.

victorj32 · Answer

thank you very much for your help. You are good at explaining and your photo helped me even more.

sMarty · Answer

Is it possible to add a second drive by adapting an MSATA into the PCIE slot? I have a spare 1TB MSATA.

redxps630 · Answer

You can use a mSATA to sata connector adapter. this converts 30 mm * 50 mm size mSATA SSD into a standard 2.5" SATA interface.

https://www.amazon.com/SMAKN%C2%AE-Mini-MSATA-6-0Gps-Adapter/dp/B00XVD1KJS

Chino de Oro · Answer

Re: Is it possible to add a second drive by adapting an MSATA into the PCIE slot?

Yes, you can. There are several options depending on the availability of slots, cables of your system.

Dual mSATA adapter, with both brackets, no SATA cable needed.

PCIe x1 adapter, will required SATA cable.

mSATA, SATA, NVMe adapter, required PCIe x16 slot and SATA cable

renzh · Answer

@redxps630​ Hi will this cable CR9TD work only for MT or for SFF as well? I have a 9020 SFF.

renzh · Answer

@redxps630​ my bad, i overlooked this post.  Thanks for the info.

redxps630 · Answer

MT and SFF use different proprietary sata cable likely not compatible

Mubeen Z · Answer

@redxps630​ Hey there, I am mubeen, and I am complete beginner in PC making, I want to install a wifi & bluetooth card in my optiplex 9020, by above picture, can you please tell me which wifi & bluetooth card will be best fit for optiplex 9020 (PS : I did an online order of wifi & bluetooth compatible card for my PC, but when I tried to install, it didn't fit, my PCIe slot have 11+7 pin configuration and the one I ordered had different configuration)

TorukaKirkaLenovo840 · Answer

@redxps630​ you could try running 2 sata hard drives in raid 0 but one should be sufficient. I was going to run a 400 GB hhd SATA 2.0 next to a256gb ssd drive.

Optiplex Desktops

Adding a second hard drive to an optiplex 9020

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