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April 26th, 2023 12:00
Inspiron 3671 add drives
Trying to determine the possibility of repurposing this desktop as a simple home server for shared storage. It currently has a 512GB SSD and I would like to add two 4TB 3.5" drives. I believe that I could add a small cage for the two drives, use a SATA power splitter and attach the drives to the two unused SATA connectors on the motherboard. I'd plan to reimage the SSD with open source server or simple NAS software. Any reason that this couldn't work? Suggestions also welcome.
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RoHe
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April 26th, 2023 19:00
You actually may be able to fit three drives inside the case, along with the M.2 NVME SSD.
So you could install three 4T SSDs, 1x3.5" and 2x 2.5", assuming you find the right size and quality drives you'd want for a NAS setup.
Check out the Service Manual for details about where the drives can be installed in this PC.
If BIOS is currently set to RAID, you probably will need to change that to AHCI before you install any new OS. Don't change that setting now because Dell installed Windows for RAID and the PC won't boot if you change that setting without taking prior steps to reconfigure Windows so it can use AHCI.
BTW: If you have 12 GB of RAM now, that means you have 1x8 GB + 1x4 GB modules installed. That likely means RAM is running in slower single-channel mode, rather than faster dual-channel mode, which requires matched modules. So replacing 1x4 GB with another 1x8 GB may improve performance.
You can see if it's currently running single- or dual-channel mode using CPU-Z (free) by looking on its Memory tab for the "Channel #".
slowpoke30
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April 26th, 2023 13:00
Update - I rechecked the system and it also has a 512GB M.2 drive on the motherboard. So I would plan to remove the SSD and use a Y-Split for power.
RoHe
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April 26th, 2023 14:00
Not sure I understand... Does the PC have both a SATA SSD and an m.2 NVME SSD?
The specs say: Up to two 2.5-inch hard drive(s) and one M.2 2230/2280 PCIe/NVMe solid-state drive.
You could install two 2.5-inch 4T SATA SSDs for storage. That way you might not need a cage and they'd be faster than two 4T SATA HDDs.
How much RAM is in this system? Will you have to add more (max = 2x 16 GB) if you're going to run it as a server?
slowpoke30
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April 26th, 2023 16:00
Thanks for the response. The plan is to remove the SSD and leave the M.2 along with the two added drives. I 'm guessing (hoping) that Dell based their specs on the physical layout of the unit. I'd plan to add a cage for the two additional 3.5 drives. My goal is to repurpose the PC replace an aging 2TB NAS - adding two 4TB NAS-quality drives would be a lot cheaper than buying another dedicated NAS. I'd either set it up as a basic file server or use open source NAS software. I figure that the 12GB of RAM already installed will be enough for a linux-based setup. The alternative is a Synology solution that's going to run close to $500 and has tons of features that really aren't needed - 99% of our use is simple file sharing for a few Windows-based home PCs.
slowpoke30
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April 27th, 2023 09:00
Awesome info - thanks. Especially appreciate the advice on the BIOS setting and reminder about the dual-channel RAM. 4TB SSDs are (way) outside my budget - a CRM NAS drive only runs about $70. I'm going to look into the open source software options and see if I can come up with a plan.
RoHe
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April 27th, 2023 11:00
Glad to help.
There are both 2.5" and 3.5" 4T SATA HDDs, which are probably less expensive than 4T SATA SSDs. And there are always 2T SATA drives, if 6T of storage will be sufficient...
Post back and let us know what you do so others can benefit from your efforts...
slowpoke30
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May 9th, 2023 08:00
Did some more research into open source file server / NAS software options and found it a bit confusing and intimidating. Also looked at NAS appliances and found a Synology unit from Amazon Warehouse for under $150. Decided that the Synology made more sense that a home-built given the amount of time and trouble I'd spend loading, configuring and updating an open source solution. The Synology also has a lower power draw that will save some bucks over the long haul. I'll keep the Inspiron for a future project. Thanks again for all the advice and assistance.
RoHe
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May 9th, 2023 11:00
Glad to have helped.
The Synology NAS sounds like a reasonable solution to your situation. How much storage does it have?
Hope it works well for you. And please post back and let us know your experience with it, which could help other users who want/need networked storage...