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HDD maximum size -XPS 8700 - inconsistent answers
Hi guys
I'm getting inconsistent answers on the internet to a simple question, and I would value an understandable answer please.
I have an mid 2013 XPS8700 using a 256Gb SSD for the C drive, and a 2Tb HDD for the D drive. (Original equipment). It is using BIOS A11 and I am running Windows 10 Pro.
I wish to replace the Seagate 2Tb drive (which has worked very well) with a larger drive.
Some sources say that each SATA drive can be a maximum of 3Tb, but other users state they are using a 4 or 5 Tb drive with no issues.
So, can someone please give me a definate answer. If the answer is over 4Tb could someone explain why this works even though it is exceeding the Dell maximum size of 3Tb.
Is this because there is another aspect involved - like PSU issues?
Ideally I would like to go for a 6Tb but 4Tb would do, however I dont wish to cause issues later.
I probably would go for WD Black or Seagate BarraCuda Pro unless I get adverse feedback.
I would really appreciate sopme help. I am now out of capacity.
Thanks in advance
RoHe
10 Elder
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September 25th, 2017 18:00
The 3 TB limit is for the boot drive, not for data storage drives.
old_Bean
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September 26th, 2017 01:00
Thank you Dan-H
I think I will probably follow your WD choice as well.
old_Bean
46 Posts
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September 26th, 2017 01:00
Thank you Ron
I think that's the missing link that both myself and noone else had thought about mentioning.
Much appreciated
Dan-H
1.2K Posts
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September 25th, 2017 21:00
I think the limit was 2.1TB or 2.2TB if using MBR format.
a drive formatted GPT, with Windows 8 or 10 can be any size, well there is a limit but the upper limit is measured in ZetaBytes ( which is millions or billions of TeraBytes).
I prefer WD drives, though I have not bought a hard drive in almost 18 months. I won't uy another seagate. I've had too many fail on me.