Upgrading the RAM and SSD in my Dell Inspiron Micro 3050 Desktop

My main reason for purchasing the Dell 3050 was to move my Plex server from my larger Photoshop desktop computer to a small form factor.  I looked at the Intel Nuc and the Gigabyte Brix but the Dell 3050 with the Intel Pentium provided the best value. I selected the Pentium over the Celeron for better performance. The downside was the 2GB RAM and the 32 GB SSD. Dell does have a model with a 500GB HD at a higher cost.  I would rather use the extra money to purchase the RAM and the larger SSD.  Feel free to use the comments section to ask any question you may have

For those who want to install a 2.5 drive in place of the SSD you will need to purchase a special sata cable in order connect the sata port on the drive.  Based on my search of the Internet, Dell does not sell the cable separately. The cable only comes with the Dell 3050 with the 500GB Hard Drive.

You can purchase a HP cable and modify it.  Look for part number 6017B0421501

*** Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage you may cause to your Dell Insprion 3050 Micro Desktop ****

Now that I have the disclaimer out of the way, I will get to my upgrades.

Itemized list of items used for my upgrades

• Phillips Screwdriver
• Crucial 8GB
• Adata 256GB M.2 2242 SSD (It is important you buy a M.2 2242 form factor, more on this later)
• Portable M.2(NGFF) SSD to USB 3.0 External Mobile Hard Disk Caddy Case Converter Adapter
• Macrium Reflect Free to clone the SSD
• EaseUS Partition Master Free to move the recovery partition (Can be avoided)

Upgrade One: RAM Upgrade
The easiest upgrade for the 3050 is the RAM.  Max supported is 8GB so I bought a Crucial 8GB 1600L DDR3.  This Upgrade will run $30 to $35 dollars.  Crucial 8GB at Amazon

Opening the case

1. With your screwdriver remove the four screws from the bottom on the Micro 3050
2. If the outside case does not drop off use the screwdriver push the case off through the holes from which you removed the screws.
3. Once opened, you can simply replace the RAM by using the two tabs on each side of the RAM and pop the RAM right out
4. If you are only upgrading the RAM, you can slide the case back on and reassemble by screwing the four screws.

Upgrade Two: SSD Upgrade

You want to ensure you are using the proper form factor when it comes to upgrading the SSD.  Here is what to look for.

1. M.2 Sata Connector. (Not PCIe)
2. 2242 (22mm x 42mm)

During my research and discovery there are not many brands to choose from in this form factor. From what I read and seen a majority of people who are upgrading are buying MyDigitalSSD brand. I went with the Adata brand because of the performance that was reported on various sites and the price. From what I read the Transcend brand had the best performance but the cost is a little more. Upgrade costs $85 for the 256GB SSD and $21 for the external M.2 Case.

Transferring the current SSD to new SSD

Prior to cloning the drive, I would recommend you have at least to 2GB of free space on the current SSD. For this step there were two items I used.

• An External M.2 SSD Case  for the Adata 256GB M.2 2242 SSD 
• Macrium Reflect Free to clone the old SSD to the new SSD. (The free version is for Personal use Only)

1. Installing the New SSD into the case.
1. Open the case by using the sliding door.
2. Remove the screw from the inside
3. Install the new SSD and screw it down
4. Reattach the sliding door.
2. Installing Macrium Reflect Free
1. Download the software from their website
2. Run the installer
3. An Additional ~550MB PE file will be downloaded
4. Once the Install has completed, insert the External SSD case into the USB 3.0 port on the Micro 3050.
3. Cloning the SSD
1. Open the Macrium Reflect software
1. You will see the option to clone at this point I cloned the whole drive re-ordering the drives but because I did, I had to use the partition software to move the recovery drive in order to expand the OS partition.
1. You can avoid the partition software if you use the drag and drop method as described in one of Macrium's KB 
1. I am including the instructions for partition software if prefer to clone the whole drive as is below
2. I have not verified this method works but have no reason to doubt that it will work.
2. Click on the clone this disk
3. Select destination disk (the new SSD)
1. At this point you can change order / size
4. If you are not changing the order / size click Next
5. You will need to click a couple more times from the process to start.
6. Total clone time me was just under 8 Minutes.

** Macrium KB Article on the Cloning Process **

Installing the new SSD in the 3050
If not already done so, open your Dell 3050 case.

1. Remove the four internal silver screws to remove the two hard brackets and this will allow you access to the SSD.
2. Carefully open the motherboard from the case. (There is no need to removed Wifi cables)
3. Slightly push the plastic piece holding the SSD in place back to remove the SSD.
4. Insert the new SSD and snap in to place.
5. Flip the motherboard and case back together
6. Screw the brackets back
7. Screw the case back on.
8. Power back and enjoy your larger SSD if you did the re-sizing with Macrium

Optional Partition Software 

(Only applies if you need to move the recovery partition to expand the OS Partition)

You will need a third party partition program, if you launch Windows Disk Management and are unable to expand the OS partition because the free space is on the other side of the recovery partition.

Windows does not have native support to move a partition.

The program I downloaded was EaseUS Partition Master Free.

1. Install the program (I recommend to uncheck the backup software that will try to install
2. Launch the application.
3. Mouse over the recovery partition until are able to grab it and move it to the right of the free space partition
4. Once moved, expand the OS Partition
5. Apply the changes, the computer will restart to complete the change.

After the reboot, I had 210GB Free.

210 GB Free

I am using and external portable hard drive to store my videos / music / photos.  I have the Plex Server point to the folders on the portable drive.

Other Important Information if you do not want to use a monitor and keyboard with the Dell 3050

From Dell Support: Using the Inspiron 3050 Micro Desktop as a headless system.

You may want to use the Inspiron 3050 without a keyboard, monitor or other peripherals attached. It has been reported that this system may not complete boot without these devices connected to the system. In order to resolve this issue you need to disable Secure Boot and ensure UEFI is enabled. Follow these steps to make those changes. You will use the left, right, up, and down arrows and the Enter key to select options in the BIOS.

1. Restart the system and access the BIOS by pressing F2 during startup.
2. Select the Boot tab.
3. Ensure UEFI is listed for Boot List Option at the top.
4. Select Secure Boot then Disabled.
5. Select the Exit tab then Save Changes and Reset.