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November 28th, 2024 02:06
Aurora R16, SATA power
Alienware Aurora R16
Hi,
I'm trying to install a 2.5" SATA SSD in my new Aurora R16 (which shipped with one M2 drive). The SATA data cable is obvious (and was in the drive bay waiting for me), but for the life of me I'm unable to locate the SATA power connector for use in the 3.5" drive bay. The manual seems to indicate that there's a proprietary SATA power connector on the board itself -- and that spot on the board is indeed populated with a cable that runs off into the chassis...it just doesn't seem to return back into the interior of the case. Am I interpreting what I'm seeing properly? I'm wondering if the cable is lost off in the case and I should have a tech tear it apart to make sure it's running properly (under warranty I don't want to mess with this), or is there another SATA power connector/cable that I just can't find? Nothing appears to be running off the PS.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
redxps630
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November 29th, 2024 22:55
Use your R16 service tag to look up original spec and search for this cable DP/N 1JFJ8.
to clarify: 3W6TM is the sata data cable which OP said already provided in R16.
1JFJ8 is the sata power cable connected to #23 on motherboard and routed to 3.5” bay.
I had access to the original spec of two R16 unit. The 1st did not have 1JFJ8 in its spec meaning Dell did not ship it, the second one has 1JFJ8 (as well as 3W6TM) in spec meaning it has the cable included.
https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/alienware-desktops/aurora-r16-product-spec-example/652e98b0cb161851f4fd29ab
so if you search for 1JFJ8 in your original spec you will know the truth whether Dell shipped the cable in your pc.
(edited)
albertkaholic
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November 29th, 2024 23:19
@redxps630 Awesome, thank you. I'm guessing that for the best performance I'm best served not using the SATA drive, but go with the second M.2 after making the BIOS adjustment. That cable must be in there somewhere (it's connected), but in my ignorance I didn't realize that the BIOS limited the system to two drives despite there being run for three. Thank you again.
redxps630
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November 28th, 2024 04:14
Re: that spot on the board is indeed populated with a cable that runs off into the chassis
the chassis is very crowded and the sata power connector may be hidden behind the gpu end bracket. It ought to look like this cable next to the sata data cable
(edited)
albertkaholic
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November 28th, 2024 04:21
Tried that without much love...but knowledge is power. Do you (or anyone else reading) know if that cable IS supposed to run through the chassis? I had assumed that it was supposed to track around the perimeter of the board and reemerge near the drive tray--but am I wrong? Is it supposed to run directly from the board to the drive without running through the case? This is the only one of these builds that I've seen, so I'm not sure! I'd rather not have to sit and try to pause during tear down videos to get a glimpse!
albertkaholic
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November 28th, 2024 04:43
@redxps630 Thank you, you're helping me get closer. If you have one of these beasts, would you mind just seeing where that cable tracks back to? Is it right off the board, or does it come out of the case near the graphics card there? I used to build my own, but went to Dells because I didn't want to take time to troubleshoot on my own, which is ironic here, since now I have to...and since I didn't build it, I don't know where that cable is supposed to come from! I shouldn't have trouble recognizing the SATA power cable when I see it, but it IS possible it's hiding under something and I'm not seeing it.
redxps630
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November 28th, 2024 07:20
I do not have one but R16 and R15 are basically same interior just the plastic shell different. in this R15 tear down video the sata power cable is tucked right above the 3.5 bay by two cable hooks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1v3B1188vc
playtime 37:29 and 1:27:10
(edited)
albertkaholic
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November 28th, 2024 16:00
I can't thank you enough, that's EXACTLY what I needed. I'm just going to have Dell come out and "fix" it for me, that cable is nowhere to be found in the area of the drive bay, and it's certainly not primed and ready to go as the data cable was (and as the cables in the video are). I expect this will be a struggle to get them, but good times.
Once again, thanks for finding that for me, I greatly appreciate it.
albertkaholic
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November 29th, 2024 19:53
Once again, I appreciate your help. Per Tech Support: because my machine didn't ship with a 3.5" drive, I need to buy part numbers 3W6TM and 1JFJ8 from sales. I found 'em on E-bay, but I'm going to talk to my small business sales rep to see what the heck they are. I'm a little confused because there IS a cable running off of the board at the SATA Power port...but as will often happen I'm going to go through my small business rep because tech support...well, doesn't offer all that much support.
Once again, thanks for the help!
Vanadiel
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November 29th, 2024 19:59
@albertkaholic Ah yes, the design decision to sell you a system with a power supply, but it only comes with the cables that are needed to power up your configuration.
Anything else you need to purchase the correct modular cable, which will likely come at a certain price and might not even be readily available.
God forbid they would put the unused cables in a plastic bag and ship it with your most amazing ever gaming PC.
Do keep us posted on your journey to the SATA power cable.
(edited)
albertkaholic
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November 29th, 2024 20:01
@Vanadiel , yeah, well, they don't have too much love in my heart right now. So am I safe in assuming that the overpriced things they sell me will plug into what appear to be extra graphics cards cables hanging off of the PS, and not the connector on the mobo they label "SATA Power"?
Vanadiel
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November 29th, 2024 20:04
@albertkaholic If I remember correctly they decided for the R16 to use the Intel 12VO system only, so in that case it would need to come from the motherboard as the power supply only supplies 12 volts.
I forgot about that. That actually makes it even worse and now that I think about it is likely the reason that they don't sell AMD gaming systems anymore since they do not use 12VO.
albertkaholic
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November 29th, 2024 20:43
@Vanadiel if you don't mind me troubling you with one more question in the interest of saving me some time: I ordered this system with a single M.2 drive with the intent of adding my own storage. No regrets still, since I know I'll be adding better quality (even if I have to buy cables)...but I'm still waiting for my Black Friday deal for a new Samsung M.2 to arrive. Should I expect similar magic when I try to install the new M.2 drive in the vacant second slot? Everything that I had been seeing online tells me that I shouldn't have a problem...'course everything I saw online was giving me the same vibe about the SATA drive!
redxps630
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November 29th, 2024 22:42
There is a single 8 pin socket on R16 motherboard at top near the DIMM.
It is #23
SATA power connector (SATA PWR)
redxps630
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November 29th, 2024 22:44
Your 3.5 and 2.5” sata drives must use a Dell sata power cable connected to #23 sata pwr. The psu does not supply sata power directly. You do not plug any sata power cable into gpu power plugs. Those are exclusively reserved for gpu power.
redxps630
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November 29th, 2024 22:48
If you see a Dell cable already connected to #23, you do not need to buy a new cable.
(edited)