Duration: 23:31

5,417 views

115

Get ready for a guide on expanding storage on your PC.

As hardware continues to develop and improve, the most neglected aspect of computer performance remains storage. Most modern PC systems have a mere 1-6 HDD bays (e.g. The HP Z840 Workstation can only house 4x 3.5" HDDs despite being a full tower), and often they lack suitable methods for mounting SSDs (e.g. The HP Z840 would require a special 3.5" to 2.5" adapter).

But there is a solution, you just need to be ready to spend ~$150 - $500 USD... OR, you can watch this video to find the solution to expand your PC's storage with 6x SSDs or 2x SSDs and 1x 3.5" HDD for a mere ~$20 USD (plus the cost of drives).

How?

Utilizing a 5.25" drive bay adapter - I will fit 2x 4TB SSDs and a 16TB HDD within one 5.25" Bay in the HP Z840.

🛠 Amazon Affiliate Links:
(Please note these links will direct you to Amazon.com and I will receive a small commission if a purchase is made through this link. Thank you!)

SATA Data Cables:
1x : SATA Data Male to Female Straight: https://amzn.to/485qRkC
6x Pack: SATA Data Male to Female Straight: https://amzn.to/46QSvRs
3x Pack: SATA Data Male to Female 90 degree: https://amzn.to/3uPK3om

SATA Power Cables:
SATA power male to 4x SATA power female : https://amzn.to/3RjGsX0
SATA power male to 5x SATA power female : https://amzn.to/3Tj26gJ
SATA power male Y Splitter to 2x SATA power female: https://amzn.to/41dttL7
4x pack Combo: SATA data straight and 90 Degree, SATA power male to 2x Molex female, SATA power male to 2x SATA power female: https://amzn.to/4acOVDY

HDD/SSDs:
Samsung 870 Evo 4TB: https://amzn.to/46AIZlk
Samsung 870 Evo 2TB: https://amzn.to/47AMV71
Seagate IronWolf Pro 16TB: https://amzn.to/47Scznt

HDD/SSD adapters:
Olmaster 5.25” to 6x SSD or 2x SSD and 1x HDD bay (MR-8802): https://amzn.to/3Gm730D
Olmaster 5.25” to 6x SSD or 2x SSD and 1x HDD bay (MR-8802 with front slot): https://amzn.to/4abf3PV
Olmaster 4 Bay 2.5" SSD Adapter with Fans: https://amzn.to/3uCX2cZ

ICY DOCK 2 Bay 2.5" HDD/SSD & 1 x 3.5 HDD (MB343SP): https://amzn.to/46xRCNr
ICY DOCK Dual 2.5" & 3.5" SATA Hard Drive/SSD Removable RAID 1 Mobile Rack (MB901SPR-B): https://amzn.to/3T87hQJ
ICY DOCK 4 Bay 2.5" SAS/SATA HDD & SSD Hot Swap (MB324SP-B): https://amzn.to/3T2MkGx
ICY DOCK 6 Bay 2.5” SATA HDD / SSD Hot Swap (MB326SP-B): https://amzn.to/3GjUuCT
ICY DOCK Rugged 24 x 2.5 SAS/SATA HDD/SSD Mobile Rack - 3 Slot (MB924IP-B ): https://amzn.to/47UuLNb

M.2 / U.2 NVMe/SSD adapters:
ICY DOCK 2 x M.2 NVMe SSD PCIe 4.0 Mobile Rack for 9.5mm Ultra Slim (MB852M2PO-B): https://amzn.to/3GnlCBc
ICY DOCK Rugged 4 x M.2 NVMe SSD PCIe 4.0 Mobile Rack (MB720M2K-B): https://amzn.to/40XSqtI
ICY DOCK 4 Bay M.2 NVMe SSD PCIe 4.0 Mobile Rack (MB720MK-B V3): https://amzn.to/49TVQln
ICY DOCK 4 x 2.5 NVMe U.2/U.3 SSD PCIe 4.0 Mobile Rack (MB699VP-B V3): https://amzn.to/3N6JkVT
ICY DOCK 6 Bay U.2 / U.3 NVMe SSD PCIe 4.0 Mobile Rack (MB118VP-B): https://amzn.to/47S3NG6
ICY DOCK 8 Bay M.2 NVMe SSD PCIe 4.0 Mobile Rack (MB873MP-B V2): https://amzn.to/3uts1I7
ICY DOCK ToughArmor 12 Bay M.2 NVMe SSD PCIe 4.0 Mobile Rack (MB872MP; Non-Affiliate link): https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=MB872MP-B+&_sacat=0&_sop=15

Video INDEX:

0:00 - Extended Intro
3:24 - ChatGPT Storage Solutions
7:14 - RACERRRZ Intro

8:15 Stage 1: Unboxing Olmaster 5.25” MR-8802 + 4TB Samsung 870 Evo SSDs
10:35 Stage 2: Unboxing 3.5" 16TB Seagate Iron Wolf Pro
11:55 Stage 3: Drive Fitment to Adapter
12:55 Stage 4: HP Z840 system overview
14:06 Stage 5: 5.25" Bay Installation
14:45 Stage 6: Wiring + Cable Management (or lack thereof!)
18:24 SECRET - HP Z840's retirement plan?
20:05 Stage 7: Initializing drives, Win 10 Software RAID 1 setup, Speed Test.

22:55 - RACERRRZ Outro

Request:
Do you have a 5.25" Drive Bay adapter that is of great value?
Share your recommendations in the comments - let's make this a resource for future upgrades.

I'll update the video description over time in case I find new even cooler 5.25" Bay adapters.

Is this the Most Cost-Effective Storage Expansion? Maybe.

💻 HSPEC DataBase (for parts, upgrades, video summaries and more):
https://www.reddit.com/r/HSpecWorkstations/

🎯 Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/RACERRRZ

#Olmaster, #Server, #Homeserver, #NAS, #FreeNAS, #HPWorkstation, #Computereducation, #Computer, #Gaming, #Gamingcomputer, #Homeserver, #Z420, #Z440, #Z840, #zworkstation, #RACERRRZ, #NVME_ssd, #HDD, #SSD, #NVMEAdapter, #PCIE, #CPU, #RAM, #GPU