Hi samirbajaj,

Here's a short video showing how to install the drive in the Flexbay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tc70Mosa2I

If you don't have the second bay/module to fit it in, the kit part number is 400-AVDR.

I hope this helps.

How do I install the little box box this person is inserting into this computer. I need to access the nvme controller of a precision 5820 in the flex bay. Just like in the picture, just like in the video.

Thanks.

My problem is similar to that of the OP, except that I do not have any NVMe drives currently installed. I believe you are saying that the silver box pictured in the video is part number 400-AVDR, but it is not clear to me how I might purchase this part. What is the part called? If I do not have any SSD drives currently installed in my 5820 frame, do I need to first install a controller of some sort?

Hi kyleframp,

Hopefully this article will help you find what you need:

https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln312251/upgrading-storage-in-the-dell-precision-5820-7820-7920-tower-workstations?lang=en

Please be aware that systems with Xeon W CPUs support two NVMe drives in the Flex Bays, whilst Core X Series CPUs support only one.

https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/precision-5820-workstation_owners-manual2_en-us.pdf  (page 69)

To purchase the parts, go to the Dell website and click on the Chat or Call sidebar on the right hand side of the page and they will be able to assist.

I'm in the same position as the OP. It's hard to believe that the experience here is so bad for end-users. Why aren't we able to purchase the required part on Dell's website? Why do I need to contact customer support just in order to purchase this part? Why isn't it made clear in the owner's manual (or anywhere else) that in order to add NVMe storage to these workstations, a customer must navigate a labyrinthine series of online forums?

Because of experiences like this, I won't be recommending Dell workstations to anyone any time soon.

I too fell into this trouble
Dell itself is not able to sell the Bay for the additional M.2 disk

I was told that I would have to order a new workstation

I also had to run on the internet before discovering that once I bought the new M.2 disk I could not mount it

I'm disappointed with Dell, and its technical support that blames you for buying the 5820 workstation and you're ready to not implement it with original DELL accessories

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@DELL-Alasdair R wrote:

 

The part number you listed, when you Google it, comes up as the Flexbay for a PowerEdge server and not the T5820.

 

Randy

 

Hi samirbajaj,

Here's a short video showing how to install the drive in the Flexbay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tc70Mosa2I

If you don't have the second bay/module to fit it in, the kit part number is 400-AVDR.

I hope this helps.

---

To clarify my previous post, the backplane is necessary for a flexbay that wasn't shipped with M2 drives.  The backplane mounts in the flexbay with two screws, and the two cables plug into the motherboards miniSAS plugs.

If your Precision had 1 M2 drive when shipped, you won't need the backplane.  You'll only need a 2nd M2 caddy (module). The 66HXV. That's a module within a module.  When you find the part on eBay or wherever, make sure it has the inner M2 module.  

You can only mount two M2's in a 5820/7820.  I think the 7920 can handle 4.  I don't have a 7920 to look at.

Look at 

https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln312251/upgrading-storage-in-the-dell-precision-5820-7820-7920-tower-workstations?lang=en

These parts can be found used. Good Luck.