Z1 2x2.5 for 1x3.5 hard drive swap

[KRLynn]

I have a new Z1 with the 1TB 3.5 hard drive, which seems a little noisy to me -- not loud, but sometimes annoying. I think I'd like to swap it out for 2 2.5 HDs, one 128GB SSD for the OS and programs and the second a 750GB spinner. I checked with tech support to see if I'd need an adapter and was told "the workstation requires one of the following supported carriers: 671193-001 supports one 3.5-in hard drive; 671192-001 supports one or tw 2.5-in hard drives." This was taken directly from page 48 of the HP Z1 Maintenance and Service Guide. But I can't find a listing of either of those parts on the HP site or anywhere else. What I do find is reference to B2P96AA, which shows up in lots of places for $79 and up. It is described on page 5 of the HP downloadable brochure titled "Expand you power -- HP Workstation accessories" as the "HP Z1 HDD Carrier Kit (for 3.5 inch drive or two 2.5 inch drives."

Does anyone know if the B2P96AA is a different part than comes installed in a new Z1 configured with a 3.5" hard drive."

Both the Z1 product descriptions and the B2P96AA part description clearly suggest to me that a Z1 should work with either one 3.5" drive or one or two 2.5" drive(s) without any modification or additional investment. 

[lasvegaswireman]

The HP Part Surfer A1H69AV - Z1 WORKSTATION BASE UNIT is a list of part that can go into a typical Z1 workstation. There are two drive carriers listed;

681960-001 - Hard drive carrier assembly (plastic) - Supports 2.5-inch hard drive

and

681961-001 - Plastic 3.5-inch hard drive carrier

Neither 671193-001 nor 671192-001 come up as valid HP parts in the Part Surfer.

The B2P96AA - HP Z1 HDD CARRIER KIT consists of;

1 x 681960-001 - Hard drive carrier assembly (plastic) - Supports 2.5-inch hard drive
and
1 x 681961-001 - Plastic 3.5-inch hard drive carrier 

You may be able to buy the B2P96AA KIT (which seems to be a waste) or you may be able to order the carriers seperately. In no case does it look like either carrier will hold two hard drives. Based on the specs and the manual, the computer has 2 x SATA 6GB/s for hard drives and 1 x SATA 3GB/s for optical drives. There would be no point in installing 3 or 4 drives when there are only two ports.

[KRLynn]

Thanks very much for the reply. Just to clarify, I don't have in mind to install 3 or 4 drives. What I'd like to have are 2 2.5" hard drives (in place of the single 3.5" hard drive that came in the system) along with the 1 optical drive that came as part of the original configuration. I assume that would work, i.e., that having 2 2.5" hard drives would not force displacement of the existing optical drive.

[lasvegaswireman · Accepted solution]

From the HP Z1 Workstation Maintenance and Service Guide, page 48...

The workstation supports only SATA hard drives.

The workstation requires one of the following supported carriers:

   671193-001 supports one 3.5-in hard drive

   671192-001 supports one or two 2.5-in hard drives

Combining a 2.5-in hard drive and 3.5-in hard drive is not possible.

No cable adapters are required for any hard drives. The cables necessary for all hard drive configurations are included in the base system and automatically “blind mate” or “direct connect” to the drive(s) when installed.

My advice is to open your computer and pull the existing drive carrier. What part number is on that carrier???  Look at the space where the existing carrier came out of... are there connections for two drives??? Do you see a space for a second drive carrier???

I tried configuring a business Z1 CTO and all drives were listed as SFF (small form factor). It appears that 2.5" hard drives come in as many as 5 different heights... 5, 7, 9.5, 12.5, and 15 millimeters.

Call HP Customer Support to discuss the proper configuration and part numbers. Two 2.5" drives in two carriers??? or Two 2.5" slim / SFF drives in one carrier??? or what????

[KRLynn]

Yes, I think that what I'll have to do. Unfortunately, I've already made contacts twice by chat and obtained inconsistent responses. One this morning told me I needed to get the B2P96AA. There hasn't been any mention of form factor other than 3.5 vs. 2.5.