I am talking about the slot on the motherboard not something for a drive bay.  This should be a simple question for a DELL support rep, but I can't seem to get a straight answer.  I even ordered a SATA M.2 card that is supposed to work (according to DELL rep) but I am told by Crucial tech support that it will not, because I need a PCIe card for the motherboard slot.  Who the heck is right ?

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@DELL-Chris Mwrote:

 

All of the SSD sold with the 2015 XPS 8900 were M.2/SATA3.

 

So, that about covers it, thanks.

However, I've never heard of mSata being called M.2/SATA3 ... that's just too confusing. Like @beamermt79 says, you simply refer to it as "mSata". 

Like the similar looking Mini-PCIe ... you just call it (wait for it) ... Mini-PCIe.

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@DELL-Chris Mwrote:

 

1. Yes, Dell does use mSATA.

2. But the word msata was not listed in either guide.

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1. Good.

2. Yes, that is unfortunate and confusing. :Smile:

Keep up the good work. :Cool:

I have the 8900 with a Samsung 256GB M.2 80mm SSD with label: PM851 p/n MZNTE 256 HMHP 000D1.  The drive is full.  I need a 512GB version.  Where can I find this drive - need exact p/n to ensure it will fit and work.

I have scanned the internet for a replacement drive but cannot find one.  Does DELL have the drive for sale?

My service tag is; 

Richard

You don't need the same one.

I'm not exactly following your suggestion?  It appears that you are saying scrap my existing 8900 and buy a new one that now has an EVO in it instead of the M.2 SSD?  Be a  little more specific as there appears nothing in your response that addresses my question.

You shouldn't have compatibility problems with any M.2 SATA SSD in the Dell XPS 8900.  Here's someone running a 500MB Samsung 850 EVO (which is a SATA SSD) in its M.2 slot.  You should be fine with the latest Samsung 860 series in M.2 format as well (also a SATA SSD).

Note you can put a M.2 NVMe SSD in the M.2 slot, but it will be restricted to a quarter of its performance (~800 MB/s - still faster than a SATA SSD's ~500 MB/s).  But, adding a M.2 NVMe to PCIe adapter will give you full performance of ~3,500 MB/s for a M.2 NVMe SSD (like, for example the Samsung 970 series).  See here for details.