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    Dell XPS 13 (2015) 512GB PCI-E or not?

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Greisen, May 13, 2015.

  1. Greisen

    Greisen Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi everyone,

    Thinking about buying the 512GB configuration of the XPS 13. Heard alot of rumors saying that the 512GB is a PCI-E, but it doesnt say anything about that on Dell's website or anywhere else where you can buy the laptop.

    Can anybody confirm if it is or not a PCI-E?

    Thanks in advance
     
    Greisen, May 13, 2015
    #1
  2. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    It is pcie, no matter what configuration of SSD you buy.

    But its pcie using the AHCI protocol, which will behave and perform like any other SSD in any other system. You will be limited to SATA3 speeds.

    You may be thinking of pcie using NVMe, which is where you get super-speedy SSDs faster than SATA3. SSDs of that speed aren't released yet for consumer laptops. And when they are, you will KNOW if you have one because it will cost you an arm and a leg.

    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2
     
    kent1146, May 13, 2015
    #2
    airmt likes this.
  3. dme123

    dme123 Notebook Geek

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    I bought a 512GB model in the UK and it's SATA, using the same Samsung PM851 that Dell use across the range, so the previous poster is incorrect. It uses the M.2 slot, which may be where the confusion has come from?

    There is nothing listed on the Dell website or under specs to say it is PCI-E, although I also read a lot of reviews saying that the 512GB model would be PCI-E. I'll probably have a go at getting an NVME PCI-E SSD working when they turn up for sale.
     
    dme123, May 14, 2015
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  4. Dave Hopkins

    Dave Hopkins Newbie

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    The PM851 is crap too, it's slow and suffers the same degradation as the 840 evo.
     
    Dave Hopkins, May 14, 2015
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  5. EmJayPrice

    EmJayPrice Notebook Enthusiast

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    This is incorrect. While the drive that ships uses the M.2 connector it is a SATA3 drive. There are reports that it will also support true PCI-E as all the pins are there on the M.2 connector. In the main thread there is a user who got a previous generation Samsung PCI-E working and I saw another one that said that via a BIOS update the new version is also working.

    Also Apple have been shipping these in their machines for over a year now.
     
    EmJayPrice, May 14, 2015
    #5
  6. Greisen

    Greisen Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hmmm, allright. Does this mean that somewhere in the future i will be able to swap the normal ssd with a PCI-E ssd without having to change cables, but still get awesome performance?

    - And i dont hear much good about the SSD's that Dell is shipping in their laptops. Will you really be able to feel the difference between a good and a normal SSD in a laptop like this in everyday use? And if its this bad would you suggest just going for the 256GB version instead of the 512GB?

    Thanks for the replies btw :)
     
    Greisen, May 15, 2015
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  7. dme123

    dme123 Notebook Geek

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    Dell use various suppliers. Usually I get Samsung drives, which for the last 3 years have been among the fastest in the market, but sometimes I get Lite-On drives or Micron drives which are mid-table, and once I got a SK Hynix drive using a LAMD controller which is a proper budget device. I've also had the odd Intel drives and I'm sure a couple of other suppliers too.

    I think you might notice the difference between the Hynix and the Samsung drivers under heave use, but the difference will be quite slight.

    I am hoping PCI-E drives can be dropped in, but without someone testing it (not just repeating what they've read on the internet back to each other) properly it's hard to know for sure. I'll try and remember to update this thread when I get hold of a suitable PCI-E SSD to try.
     
    dme123, May 18, 2015
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  8. Greisen

    Greisen Notebook Enthusiast

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    Awesome, thanks man. Think il just og with the 512 version as it is only 130$ more. You Can nevøer have top much space :p
     
    Greisen, May 18, 2015
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  9. Jason Dunn

    Jason Dunn Newbie

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    I just installed a new Samsung 950 PRO m2 NVMe version in my Dell XPS 13 and the system can't see it. I'm crushed and looking for answers (I'll be doing a new post in the forums here with more details but wanted to jump in here as well).
     
    Jason Dunn, Nov 6, 2015
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  10. prushing

    prushing Notebook Guru

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    try downloading the driver to a usb and loading it when trying to install windows, that should allow the drive to show up
    https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/55005/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Intel-RST-
     
    prushing, Nov 6, 2015
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  11. Jason Dunn

    Jason Dunn Newbie

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    Last edited: Nov 6, 2015
    Jason Dunn, Nov 6, 2015
    #11