Aurora R16, can you install two 3.5' HDD drives?

Question

I am new to Alienware desktop PC's. I am running out of storage space on my 1TB hard drive because it is showing I only have 453Gb of usable storage. I ordered a new 3.5 inch SATA 8TB drive from Amazon and today went to try to add it to the PC and by the looks of it there is only one slot for hard drives.

My question is can you add multiple drives to the PC or am I going to have to try and add the 8TB to the PC and get windows loaded on the PC somehow?

Any help would be great

Thank You

JOcean · Answer

According to the specs only one 3.5' drive can be installed. However have you thought about pulling the 1TB HDD and installing a 2280 M.2 SSD? Install the OS on that drive and use the 8TB for storage. That way you have a huge amount of storage space and the SSD will give you much faster operation of the system when accessing the SSD such as the OS, Word, etc.

Lakesidens · Answer

That sounds like a good solution. I do have a couple of questions.

1) What size SSD should I order

2) How easy is it to load Windows onto that drive. I don’t have a Windows disk as it came preloaded on the PC. Can I install the new SSD drive, clone the current windows from the old 1 TB drive then install the new 8Tb drive in the 3.5 inch spot and be done with it?

if you can clone it do you have any recommendations on completing the task.

it’s been a few years since I messed with installing OS because I ran laptops.

I don’t want to lose any data but most is backed up on another HD or the cloud.

irsh_ · Answer

There is an open M.2 next to the 1TB OS M.2 SSD.

redxps630 · Answer

recommend at least 2 TB SSD given your usage

before you clone, switch BIOS sata operation to AHCI in safe mode (and before that disable Win 11 log in PIN)

clone Dell hdd to new ssd

https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/optiplex-desktops/how-to-clone-ssd-to-another-ssd-without-third-party-tool/652b338043dbba53b173f0b7?keyword=clone

Adam Hoare · Answer

I have 2 M.2 installed. 2TB and 4 TB. I also installed a WD Black 3.5 6TB HDD with no issues. I found the WD 6TB at Best Buy for $129.99. They listed a 4TB for $179.99

Alienware Desktops

Aurora R16, can you install two 3.5" HDD drives?

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