Dell Optiplex 3060 SFF Hard Drive Upgrade Questions

Discussion in 'hardware' started by TheKid7, Oct 31, 2024.

  1. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Dell Optiplex 3060 SFF Hard Drive Upgrade Questions

    Current Drive Related Hardware:

    250 GB Internal M.2 SSD
    Internal DVD RW Optical Drive
    No Internal Backup Drive

    Ultimate Goal: 1 TB SSD Drive as OS (C Drive plus data storage (primarily family photos/family videos). Existing M.2 used as backup for family photos/family videos which are located on the 1 TB SSD Drive.

    Future planned steps go something like this:

    1. Purchase 1 TB 2.5 inch SSD Drive.
    2. Purchase appropriate Dell hard drive caddy for above Drive.
    3. Cold Image the current M.2 SSD to an external USB hard drive.
    4. Shutdown the PC.
    5. Install the 1 TB SSD & caddy.
    6. Connect SATA data cable between the unused motherboard SATA port and the 1 TB SSD Drive.
    7. Connect the motherboard SATA power cable (May need a power splitter cable).
    8. Boot Imaging Software (USB).
    9. Restore the M.2 Image to the new 1 TB SSD.
    10. Go into the BIOS and change the boot order so that the 1 TB SSD is first. Save BIOS Settings.
    11. Boot the Imaging Software (USB) and Delete the M.2 Partitions. I am concerned that Windows 10 may not like being able to see the same Windows 10 on two different drives on the same PC.
    12. Boot into Windows 10.

    Questions:

    1. Did I miss anything?
    2. Do you have a better way of doing things?

    Please offer any comments & suggestions that you may have.

    Thanks in Advance.
     
  2. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    How does this Optane memory configuration fit in? Can it be turned off?
     

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  3. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    TheKid7,

    Is it a MBR or UEFI system?
    Which imaging software do you have on the UFD?
     
  4. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    I need to check to see whether it is MBR or UEFI. It will be a few days before I can check.
    I am planning to use IFL on a USB Flash Drive.
    The PC is a 3rd Party (Not Done By Dell) Refurb.
     
  5. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    One thing to consider. Having the OS on the M.2 SSD or the new SSD. The OS would be faster on the M.2 SSD.

    Re Optane. I've avoided it. Expensive and difficult to manage. Intel stopped making it a few years ago.
     
  6. Brummelchen

    Brummelchen Registered Member

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  7. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    UEFI
    BIOS MAIN MENU 01.jpg BIOS MAIN MENU 01.jpg C_DRIVE PARTITIONS.jpg INTEL MANAGE 01.jpg INTEL MANAGE OPTANE MEMORY 02.jpg
     

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  8. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    Thanks. Looks good. UEFI.

    Are you still planning to transfer the OS to the new SSD or leave it on the current NVMe SSD?
     
  9. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    I will most likely purchase a new larger (1 TB) NVMe M.2 SSD to replace the current one. Also plan to purchase a 1 TB 2.5 inch SSD.

    How do I know what Generation 1 TB NVMe M.2 SSD I need to purchase? I will most likely purchase from Crucial and they have three GEN choices (GEN 3, 4 or 5).
    HDD SPECS.JPG

    Would the best choice be this one?

    https://www.crucial.com/ssd/p3/CT1000P3SSD8
     
  10. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    Check your motherboard. The computer is 6 years old so it's unlikely it supports Gen 4 or 5. I'd expect you will get Gen 3.
     
  11. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    A Google search indicates your NVMe PCIe is Gen 2. More research needed. A Gen 3 NMVe won't be any faster. If it works at all.

    A standard SSD will probably be just as fast. Can you check the speed of your NVMe with Atto?

    You have two drives. What is on the second one?
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2024 at 1:14 AM
  12. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    It may be a few days before I can run the Atto check.

    Currently the PC has only one drive (M.2): SanDisk SD7TN3Q-256G-1006

    There is an empty 3.5" HD caddy along with a SATA data cable and spare SATA power cable. I am planning to buy a 2.5" HD caddy for the future SSD.
     
  13. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    BIU shows you have 2 drives. Click the drop down arrow to access the second drive. Screenshot please.
     
  14. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    I am not at the location of the PC now. I am guessing that the other drive was the 64 GB USB Flash Drive which I booted from (IFL).
     
  15. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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  16. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    I am confused on the Dell Storage Specifications. Are these specifications implying that I cannot install a 2.5 inch SATA SSD drive larger than 512 GB?
    STORAGE SPECS.JPG

    The following crucial M.2 would 'most likely' work on this Dell PC? I would update the BIOS to the latest version prior to upgrading.

    Crucial P3 1TB PCIe M.2 2280 SSD

    https://www.crucial.com/ssd/p3/CT1000P3SSD8
     
  17. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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  18. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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