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    Replacing a SSD in a Dell XPS 15 (2015)

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by davidst98, Dec 27, 2015.

  1. davidst98

    davidst98 Newbie

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    Hi, I hope I'm posting this in the right section. I bought a Dell XPS 15 (2015). It's has a I7, 16GB and a 256 SSD. In my desktop I have both a 512 GB Samsung Pro 950 and a Samsung SM951. My motherboard has 2x M.2 PCie slots. I would like to replace the 256 M.2 PCIe in my laptop with one of these drives. According to Dell it's possible to swap out these drives. I just have a couple of questions.

    Which 512GB drive would make more sense to put in my laptop?
    Will this void any warranty with Dell?
    How do I restore Windows 10 when I swap SSDs? Should I use True Image or something like that?
    Is there a market to sell the Samsung XP941 256 PCIe?

    Thanks for any suggestions.

    David
     
    davidst98, Dec 27, 2015
    #1
  2. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Warranty shouldn't be voided by simply changing the storage subsystem.

    Highly recommend to install the Samsung 950 Pro (2.5") SSD instead. Especially if your workflows are intense, sustained and use all the hardware (cpu+gpu+ssd) on your notebook. Less throttling = more performance in all those components.

    Also HIGHLY recommend to do a clean install of Win10.

    Download the image you need:

    See:
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

    Create a USB drive with it using Rufus.

    See:
    https://rufus.akeo.ie/


    Install the O/S using the Advanced options to fully erase/remove/delete all partitions on the target disk (make sure it is the only one installed - with all other drives physically removed too). I would also suggest OP'ing the drive with 30% of the actual volume available on your particular drive.

    Create a partition of 150GB for the C:\Drive for the O/S and Programs.

    Create a partition of the remaining capacity (less ~33%...) for your D:\DATA (roughly 170GB...).

    (Note: after you have fully installed the O/S, your programs and all updates and have moved your User folders to the D:\Data drive, you can shrink the C:\Drive partition to leave just ~25GB-50GB free space (depending on your workflows, as needed) and expand the D:\Drive partition the same amount to keep the ~33% OP'ing required for optimum SSD performance).

    Go to your Dell support page and download only the necessary drivers needed for your system (no bloatware...).

    When you are satisfied that your system is stable and all hardware works properly, install your programs and finally your data.

    Do not do any tweaks to your O/S or your SSD with Magician (unless a firmware update is needed...) - if you do; re-install the O/S again (yeah; that's how much damage you'll do...).

    Hope this helps.

    Take care.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Dec 27, 2015
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