Dell XPS L502x - Add SSD in ODD- Choosing the Caddy and SSD

I recently found out that it's possible to add a HDD in the ODD slot with a HDD Caddy, and I've really been wanting to do this for a while now. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with doing this and would be willing to help me decide on the correct caddy to purchase that will fit my L502x.
I am thinking about doing a Dual HDD setup with the OS on the SSD, I'm not sure if there's any easy way to transfer things over? Or is a clean install necessary?

I looked at New 2nd HDD SSD Hard Drive Caddy for Dell XPS L502X L501X 12 7mm SATA to SATA | eBay and I think that is the one I will buy, but if anyone has actually purchased and been able to install a caddy, and if you still have the link, then I won't run the risk of possibly having to send it back due to incompatibilities.

Also, another consideration is that I want to put a SSD in the slot and since it's a caddy I am wondering if it will affect transfer speeds.

Does the L502x have SATA II or SATA III ports? Is the SATA Port on the ODD side different than the main HDD?

Also, I still have to choose the SSD and I'm trying to decide between the Crucial m4 128 GB, Crucial v4 256GB, Samsung 840 120GB, or the Samsung 840 Pro 120GB.

Newegg.com - Crucial V4 CT256V4SSD2CCA 2.5" 256GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Easy Laptop Install Kit (v4, 256GB, $150)
Newegg.com - Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (m4, 128GB, $120)
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD128BW 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (840pro, 128GB, $140)
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 840 Series MZ-7TD120BW 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (840, 120GB, $100)

I want to buy the SSD that will last me longest amount of time and I'm not sure whether I will be able to take advantage of SATA III speeds, so these are the ones that I am looking at, for the moment.

Thank you!

 

Already discussed here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/557591-xps-15-l502-2nd-hdd-caddy.html
You'll find the answer to your questions in that thread. I personally got the Silverstone TS06 and I highly recommend it.

 

Thanks for that link. I didn't realize newegg had one of those in stock, I was looking at eBay sellers instead.

Can you please confirm for sure that it works for the l502x? Also, you were able to put the faceplate of the ODD on the TS06 and it works well, correct?
I just want to make sure I don't have to go through a return process, since the description on Newegg wasn't very specific about these things.

 

I have the Silverstone TS06 and I can confirm it is 100% compatible with L502x, everything fits perfectly: the faceplate, the rear metal bracket etc. Installing it is a piece of cake, there's a nice manual and all screws, etc are in the box. Pay attention when unscrewing the screw securing the ODD to the laptop (through the metal bracket), it's very easy to damage its head.

 

Hello guys
Sorry for reviving this, but I'm having a little issue
I bought this 2.5" SATA HDD Caddy for DELL E6400 + More - Free Shipping - DealExtreme . It does fit into the xps 502x, but I'm having a different issue.
I bought a Samsung 840 Evo 120GB, and replaced the HDD with it. So now I have the SSD as primary (inside), and the HDD in the optical caddy. Thing is, at first, it does recognize it in BIOS setup. All fine and dandy, boot time is now like 5 seconds. Once Windows loads, I can see them both (the SSD and the HDD). But after, let's say, 5 minutes, the OS drops the HDD. I cannot see it anyware. The Intel Rapid Storage Technology says there's nothing loaded in the caddy. Is there, by any way, a chance that the OS removes the HDD due to power outages? Or is there any chance that still the OS puts the HDD in sleep, and doesnt reactivate it later?

By the life of me, I cannot understand what's wrong with it. I mean, if it wouldnt have fit correctly (due to the nature of the caddy), I wouldnt have been able to see it both in BIOS and Windows 7 (ultimate). Any ideas what might be causing this?

Thanks in advance if any of you guys have any ideas

 

I am also facing similar kind of issue that OS drops the HDD after some time. Please help me too.