Needing a new desktop PC, suggestions?

[jkaetz]

I think it is a 3671.

Inspiron or Vostro?

EDIT: It looks like Dell sells both the Inspiron and Vostro 3671 models with M.2 PCIe ssd options. Confirm model and size (Desktop or small desktop) and I can confirm for sure what it will use.

 

[Cameramonkey]

INGO is awesome.

I was going to chime in to assist, but jkaets beat me to it. With the right software (acronis true image) you can easily copy one drive to another to easily upgrade to a ssd. $25 well spent.
https://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/computer-backup/
And its dead simple.
1: buy a SSD
2: plug in both drives to the PC
3: Boot off the Acronis CD
4: Clone the old disk to the new SSD (takes special software to move certain critical files to specific spots on the disk needed to boot. You cant just copy the files across within windows.)
5: remove the old disk and put the new SSD in its place
6: Boot to a MUCH faster PC.

 

[jkaetz]

INGO is awesome.

I was going to chime in to assist, but jkaets beat me to it. With the right software (acronis true image) you can easily copy one drive to another to easily upgrade to a ssd. $25 well spent.
https://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/computer-backup/
And its dead simple.
1: buy a SSD
2: plug in both drives to the PC
3: Boot off the Acronis CD
4: Clone the old disk to the new SSD (takes special software to move certain critical files to specific spots on the disk needed to boot. You cant just copy the files across within windows.)
5: remove the old disk and put the new SSD in its place
6: Boot to a MUCH faster PC.

I use a similar process, only with a Windows install USB drive and Microsoft's imaging tools. Takes a slight bit more know-how but the results are the same. i haven't tried acronis but have always heard good things.

 

[nonobaddog]

Migration could be a push-button utility in Windows but since Microsoft doesn't trust us...

 

[CHCRandy]

Inspiron or Vostro?

EDIT: It looks like Dell sells both the Inspiron and Vostro 3671 models with M.2 PCIe ssd options. Confirm model and size (Desktop or small desktop) and I can confirm for sure what it will use.

Sorry, it is an Inspiron 3671. It is a full size desktop.

 

[jkaetz]

Migration could be a push-button utility in Windows but since Microsoft doesn't trust us...

This is true. Especially with UEIF BIOS. Even the boot drive can be set from inside windows.

Sorry, it is an Inspiron 3671. It is a full size desktop.

Service manual shows plenty of SATA connections space for a 2.5" spinning disk, 3.5" spinning disk, and full size M.2 PCIe SSD slot. The only difficulty I could see is if you go with a 2.5" SSD and they put in a 2.5" 1TB spinning disk instead of a 3.5" 1TB disk. There are solutions though.

 

[CHCRandy]

This is true. Especially with UEIF BIOS. Even the boot drive can be set from inside windows.


Service manual shows plenty of SATA connections space for a 2.5" spinning disk, 3.5" spinning disk, and full size M.2 PCIe SSD slot. The only difficulty I could see is if you go with a 2.5" SSD and they put in a 2.5" 1TB spinning disk instead of a 3.5" 1TB disk. There are solutions though.

Thank you sir. All I know is it is 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s. I was gonna go to best buy and get this SSD https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsun...ata-solid-state-drive/6178650.p?skuId=6178650 and then do I need a cable like this as well https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insign...l-ata-2-0-cable-black/5884325.p?skuId=5884325 ? Thanks again, I really appreciate you guys!

 

[nonobaddog]

You might consider upgrading to one of these for even more speed.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-EVO-Plus-MZ-V7S500B/dp/B07M7Q21N7

 

[CHCRandy]

You might consider upgrading to one of these for even more speed.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-EVO-Plus-MZ-V7S500B/dp/B07M7Q21N7

Man, that thing looks like it would snap right into my computer according to that service manual diagram....correct? Because that SSD spot should be empty on mine...? This thing has some killer reviews and correct me if I am wrong but does this eliminate needing a cable? Once again, appreciate your knowledge and time.

 

[nonobaddog]

Man, that thing looks like it would snap right into my computer according to that service manual diagram....correct? Because that SSD spot should be empty on mine...? This thing has some killer reviews and correct me if I am wrong but does this eliminate needing a cable? Once again, appreciate your knowledge and time.

Right - no power cable, no data cable. It plugs right into the M.2 socket on the motherboard.

 

[jkaetz]

Man, that thing looks like it would snap right into my computer according to that service manual diagram....correct? Because that SSD spot should be empty on mine...? This thing has some killer reviews and correct me if I am wrong but does this eliminate needing a cable? Once again, appreciate your knowledge and time.

You got it. Keep an eye watching Amazon, they'll likely have some M.2 SSDs on sale in the next few days still.

 

[CHCRandy]

You got it. Keep an eye watching Amazon, they'll likely have some M.2 SSDs on sale in the next few days still.

That is awesome! I had seen them card type SSD's but had no clue what they were.

 

[jkaetz]

That is awesome! I had seen them card type SSD's but had no clue what they were.

That's them. Sometimes that's all that is inside the "normal" looking SSDs as well.

A few options in here.

 

[CHCRandy]

That's them. Sometimes that's all that is inside the "normal" looking SSDs as well.

A few options in here.

Why do some M.2 have 2 ta tas like this one.....https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-250G...=101&pf_rd_i=1292116011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

And some have one tit like this one....https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-500G...&pf_rd_p=b15a8369-d6a3-5267-8dad-01a5004ee242

Does it matter which one a guy gets? I got my computer and it looks easy to put in.....just not sure about that migration stuff.

 

[nonobaddog]

The NVMe ones with one ta ta are much faster than the SATA ones with two ta tas.

 

[jkaetz]

Why do some M.2 have 2 ta tas like this one.....https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-250G...=101&pf_rd_i=1292116011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

And some have one tit like this one....https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-500G...&pf_rd_p=b15a8369-d6a3-5267-8dad-01a5004ee242

Does it matter which one a guy gets? I got my computer and it looks easy to put in.....just not sure about that migration stuff.

The connectors are keyed to identify some features.
The first will use two pcie lanes, the second will use four. Four is of course better but i don't know as it would make a difference for your use. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2

Migration isn't trivial, but if you do a lot of reading you can do it. It will require booting from a dvd or usb drive and running some software to copy the os from one drive to the other. Then you will also need to change the boot order in the BIOS to boot from the new drive.

My method simply uses Windows installation media and then running commands to take an image and apply it to the new drive instead of actually going through the install process. There are also software packages that do this in a more point and click method but I am not familiar with them.

 

[CHCRandy]

The connectors are keyed to identify some features.
The first will use two pcie lanes, the second will use four. Four is of course better but i don't know as it would make a difference for your use. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2

Migration isn't trivial, but if you do a lot of reading you can do it. It will require booting from a dvd or usb drive and running some software to copy the os from one drive to the other. Then you will also need to change the boot order in the BIOS to boot from the new drive.

My method simply uses Windows installation media and then running commands to take an image and apply it to the new drive instead of actually going through the install process. There are also software packages that do this in a more point and click method but I am not familiar with them.

I am sorry to be such a pest.....but just so I am clear. Can either one of these types fit in same connector? I am gonna try to get it ordered, just wanted to make sure. I seen where some of them come with a download called Acronis or something like that to migrate. Thank you for your help.

 

[jkaetz]

I am sorry to be such a pest.....but just so I am clear. Can either one of these types fit in same connector? I am gonna try to get it ordered, just wanted to make sure. I seen where some of them come with a download called Acronis or something like that to migrate. Thank you for your help.

To my knowledge they are keyed only for identification. An M.2 socket should accept all M.2 SSDs.

 

[nonobaddog]

To my knowledge they are keyed only for identification. An M.2 socket should accept all M.2 SSDs.

Not quite. The M.2 socket has keys which prevent insertion of devices that don't have a matching notch. Just like the keys and notches for RAM slots.
The keys in use for memory devices right now are the "B" key and the "M" key.
The M.2 memory socket should only have one key, either "B" or "M".
The device can have more than one notch - "B" or "M" or "B+M".
If the socket has a "B" key and the device has an "M" notch then it will not fit.
If the socket has a "M" key and the device has an "B" notch then it will not fit.
If the device has both notches it will fit in either form of the socket.

The fastest devices right now only have the "M" notch so they need a socket that has the "M" key.

There are other M.2 keys in use but just not for memory. For instance the "E" key is used for M.2 Wifi/Bluetooth devices. Other type devices will have their own keys

The M.2 keys are A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,J,K,L and M. Most are reserved for future use.

 

[CHCRandy]

Just wanted to thank you guys again. I was able to get the card, installed it and got everything working with the help of my buddy. Didn't take long at all. I still need to get it all set up, but am glad I asked you guys for advice. I had no idea how much difference there is in different parts of the computer, like processor and ssd. I really appreciate you guys helping me out.