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    Alienware m2 SSD recommendations?

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by Chris_Wayne, Aug 7, 2015.

  1. Chris_Wayne

    Chris_Wayne Notebook Consultant

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    I'm tired of my 5400rpm 1tb hdd, worst bottleneck ever so I decided to buy an SSD but since ssd's are still on the pricey side I'm thinking in getting a m2 ssd of 250gb or 500gb for windows and programs and keep the 1tb for media and games.

    I was searching at ebay and found something that's not that pricey and might fit my needs:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/SAMSUNG-850...-Retail-Box-/351377027979?hash=item51cfb3f38b

    Thing is, I've seen that these kind of drives comes in a variety of sizes so I was wondering, what kind of m2 ssd size does my alienware takes? and finally, any recommendations for me?, I want something that won't brake the bank but also something of good quality, I've heard Samsung gives great warranties but that's all I know about them.


    Also, is there a guide about how to configure both drives to do what I want?, thanks in advance!
     
    Chris_Wayne, Aug 7, 2015
    #1
  2. Hephaestos

    Hephaestos Notebook Guru

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    Hephaestos, Aug 7, 2015
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  3. Aleckhz

    Aleckhz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Samsung 850 evo m.2
    The size for the alienware, at least the 15 is 2280, i recomend amazon
    I live in México and they send me the ssd free in 5 days no problems

    Then, i install the drive and format them on GPT partition(make sure your instalation drive are for GPT

    I install the ssd when the hdd still have the O.S. Because they already have 4 partitions...

    Enviado desde mi Nexus 4 mediante Tapatalk
     
    Aleckhz, Aug 7, 2015
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  4. Aleckhz

    Aleckhz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Then y boot into the ssd o.s when i installed and erase partitions from the hdd so i can move my data, then i format the mbr partiton and reinstall the o.s on the ssd

    Enviado desde mi Nexus 4 mediante Tapatalk
     
    Aleckhz, Aug 7, 2015
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  5. Aleckhz

    Aleckhz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2015
    Aleckhz, Aug 7, 2015
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  6. Chris_Wayne

    Chris_Wayne Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry, Alienware 15 but that also raises a question, does the aw15 uses a different kind of m2 ssd's than the aw 13 or 17?
     
    Chris_Wayne, Aug 7, 2015
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  7. Aleckhz

    Aleckhz Notebook Enthusiast

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    I dont think so maybe the 13 use 2260

    Enviado desde mi Nexus 4 mediante Tapatalk
     
    Aleckhz, Aug 7, 2015
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  8. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    Nope. All 3 use 2280.
     
    Game7a1, Aug 8, 2015
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    Chris_Wayne likes this.
  9. Hephaestos

    Hephaestos Notebook Guru

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    No, but different configurations. For example AW13 can not take M.2 AND mechanical drive at the same time. Why don't you read Service Manual first.

    Also try Crucial Advisor tool and/or Crucial System Scanner: http://www.crucial.com/
     
    Hephaestos, Aug 8, 2015
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  10. Aleckhz

    Aleckhz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well but that is because they dont have m.2 slot
     
    Aleckhz, Aug 8, 2015
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  11. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    No, the AW13 can have a M.2 slot. Technically 2 of them.
    The 13 comes with either a SATA bay or a M.2 bay depending on what you get at the time of purchase. If you got the 13 with an SSD, you get the M.2 bay. If you get the HDD or SSHD, you get the SATA bay. The bays themselves are removable, so if you want the other option, you buy the other bay, if necessary.
    Only the 13 has an either or. The 15 and 17 R2 can take both a 2.5" drive and M.2 SSDs.
     
    Game7a1, Aug 8, 2015
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  12. Aleckhz

    Aleckhz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes they have and bay dont a slot, the bay have 2 m.2 2280 to a sata conector not?

    Enviado desde mi Nexus 4 mediante Tapatalk
     
    Aleckhz, Aug 8, 2015
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  13. Hephaestos

    Hephaestos Notebook Guru

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    @Aleckhz: download PDF Service Manual from Dell support page, all is fully explained there with clear illustrations.
     
    Hephaestos, Aug 9, 2015
    #13