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January 24th, 2026 03:17
XPS 8940 vs 8700
User compared 8940 w 8700 and really didn’t like 8940 storage configurations and praised the 8700 instead.
8700 uses precut length psu sata cables for hdd and has onboard mSATA.
8940 used 12VO psu and motherboard mini sata port to generate sata power for hdd. has onboard m.2 ssd.
convoluted cable layout in 8940 which was routed and tied to periphery of chassis may seem highly unfriendly to user service compared to simple layout of cables in 8700. The old way of arranging cables in mATX is gone. 
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redxps630
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15.3K Posts
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January 24th, 2026 03:29
This may be a design issue Dell can take advice on. In 8700 storage are at front and psu/mobo at back therefore cable management direction is simple from back to front. Case is long too with some unused space.
8940 has much shorter case and storage moved to top back therefore mobo has to reroute power sata and data cables up and back to reach that awkward location. Unfriendly to user service.
it just seems Dell engineering could need some interior design advice how to design a better arrangement. Currently in 8940 as well as other modern Dell desktop line the hdd storage bay is tucked in everywhere on top right, top left, bottom, front and seems like arranging a “Harry Potter” hdd to sleep in an unwanted cupboard somewhere so Dell can hide it, like the hdd storage is a last thought on Dell’s mind after he designed the mobo and psu and just have to stash the hdd somewhere in a quite unbecoming basement or attic closet area. And after that design Dell had to build a complicated plumbing system to reach those closets which further uglify the interior.
(edited)