Installing 512 GB SSD on brand new M17x R4 with existing 500 GB HDD and 64 GB SSD Cache drive?

I realize this topic comes up often but after researching on the internet for many hours, I decided to just post a thread for my specific case. I have been haunting this forum this whole week ever since I ordered my R4 on the 25th of October.

Amazon is currently offering the Samsung 830 512 GB version for $430 w/tax for the next ~1.5 hours and I was wondering if I should buy this even before I receive my laptop. I have configured it to have a 500gb HDD with a 64gb mSATA cache drive so I assume I still have the primary m1 HDD slot available with the caddy if I decide to add this SSD. Please correct me if wrong. If I go ahead and buy the SSD, I will immediately switch the boot order to DVD upon my 1st time starting the laptop, install Win 7 from the provided DVD onto the SSD, restart and boot from the SSD and format the other HDD. I guess I should then just follow the steps suggested in this forum for a clean install to "restore" the look and all drivers onto the SSD?

Any help will be appreciated. I also hope I helped someone who was looking for a deal on the 500 gig Samsung 830

 

Yup, you'll be good to go. The original drive will become an ssd accelerated data drive and you don't need to do any extra reconfiguring, just a straightforward windows and drivers install to your new drive after setting the boot order.

Good luck!

Edit: you don't need to format the original drive until you are happy with the new install, that way you can go back if it does not go well...

 

Thanks for the confirmation, I went ahead and bought the SSD. I will not format the original drive until happy

Is it the primary HDD slot that fluctuates between SATA II and III or is it the other one? I want to make sure I put the SSD on the right slot.

I heard that if you have a on-site repair technician come to assist with an issue, I would require to have the laptop as obtained. Does that mean I need to remove the SSD and do a factory install on the existing HDD?

Lastly, I assume I should turn off RAID before I boot from the SSD, correct? Thanks again!

 

The sata II/III problem was with the R3. The R4 operates both drive bays at SATA III. The mSATA port (used for the caching drive) is SATA II

Dell techs here say that changing parts does not affect the waranty unless you break something but local support often ask that the machine is returned to original hardware before they will help - bit of a crap shoot.

And no, do not turn off RAID. You'll loose the caching for the mechanical drive and there is no advantage apart from a couple of seconds at boot. The RAID caching is in hardware and firmware and does not need any drivers to operate. A different core disk access driver is used automatically during the install and you cannot turn off RAID after an install as windows will BSOD on loading. If at some stage you were to update your BIOS it would default to RAID and if you installed windows in non RAID you'll BSOD until you reset the BIOS - common gotcha!

 

Aha, quite a few things I did not know! Do you recommend I just start up the laptop when I get it without the Samsung SSD in it, run everything to make sure it is all fine (including the cache drive) and then go ahead and install the SSD and OS on it? This way I can verify I didn;t get a lemon. Not sure if there are any disadvantages to this compared to an immediate start off the SSD.

The R4 has a caddy for the empty HDD slot as well, correct?

If I had any rep power, I would rep you for all your help. Till then, my gratitude is enough I hope

 

That's the way I would go. Set it all up, install a couple of games and make sure it's all fine. Then just put in the SSD, change the boot order and install windows. No disadvantage at all to even leave all the original installation and just create a top level folder for you to use on the data drive - just will look a little messy.

Yes the caddy should be in the spare slot.

You're very welcome

 

Cheers, man. I will update this thread when I eventually get the R4 (Come on already, Dell!)

 

Hi,

I have been looking into this as well. I have spoken to a Dell rep via online Chat and twice I have been told that you can upgrade the system RAM without voiding your warranty , however, adding any type of hard drive will void your warranty. I was looking at a SSD mainly for boot times.

Then I came across this on a forum. This signature is from a Dell rep -

Luis Porras
Dell | Alienware Technical Support
Opening your case and/or replacing parts yourself does not void your warranty, check our disassemble videos on YouTube
Quickest way to get support from Dell: Twitter via @AlienwareTech or Facebook.com/Alienware using the "message" link.
I can't always reply to PM's, please for extra assistance use any of the Facebook and Twitter links

Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

Hi. All I can say is that it's very confusing - that is the offical line but local support seem to vary it. I wrote to dell asking about an upgrade to a 680. I have it in writing from AW support (india) that I can change memory or HD without affecting the warranty BUT the video card must be supplied and installed by them or the warranty is void . I wonder if sometimes, like on chat, they are quoting the standard warranty and not AW specific.

I think it was Luis that advised me that if I went for a 3rd party card just keep the original and put it back if I call for service - a real pain but since dell charge around £500.00 more that anyone else I'm still debating what to do - got a tax rebate burning a hole and I like the idea of a supported config

 

Yup, I think I'll do the same ..I have ocz' s vertex 4 256 gb.I have great preform. on my desktop rig with vertex ssd and I will stick with them.
My m17 is in Germany right now, and tomorow will be on my doorstep
Can't wait to try alienware..Had in past couple years rog G series from asus.

 

Enjoy your new kit

 

Very nice, let me/us know how it goes. Mine is still scheduled for Nov 23

 

Update: Installed SSD and Win 7 on it as well as all drivers. Formatted existing HDD. The cache drive is still accelerating the HDD but when I boot up, both hard drives come up as Non-RAID in the 1st screen before the alienware logo. Is this normal?