external HDD: 5400 rpm / 2.5" fast enough for USB 2.0?

I want to buy a new external HDD to use as network storage via my Netgear DGND3300 router.

The connection to router is USB 2.0. should I buy a 7200 rpm HDD or is 5400 rpm fast enough to saturate USB 2.0 and the network (it is 100 Mbit)? I know 3.3" HDD are faster at given rpm. But again, does it matter when connected to USB 2.0?
would the USB port powerful enough to power a 2.5" HDD? Ideally I would not have another powersupply and cable. But if 7200 rpm/ 3.5" is recommended, I gladly get one with external PS.

(I don't want to go through the effort of buying a network storage, from all I read the cheap ones are not fast, HDD cooling is a problem etc. I also don't want to spend much money, and an external HDD can be useful otherwise as well. It is jsut to give my wife access to her data whne she uses the laptop and the desktop is off. I'll back up to the desktop frequently. I know those external HDDs are not made for running all day, but I turn my router off whne I'm not at home. the external HDd would give me what I need for $ 100 or so)

HerrKaLeun said:

I want to buy a new external HDD to use as network storage via my Netgear DGND3300 router.

The connection to router is USB 2.0. should I buy a 7200 rpm HDD or is 5400 rpm fast enough to saturate USB 2.0 and the network (it is 100 Mbit)? I know 3.3" HDD are faster at given rpm. But again, does it matter when connected to USB 2.0?
would the USB port powerful enough to power a 2.5" HDD? Ideally I would not have another powersupply and cable. But if 7200 rpm/ 3.5" is recommended, I gladly get one with external PS.

(I don't want to go through the effort of buying a network storage, from all I read the cheap ones are not fast, HDD cooling is a problem etc. I also don't want to spend much money, and an external HDD can be useful otherwise as well. It is jsut to give my wife access to her data whne she uses the laptop and the desktop is off. I'll back up to the desktop frequently. I know those external HDDs are not made for running all day, but I turn my router off whne I'm not at home. the external HDd would give me what I need for $ 100 or so)

Yes a 5400 rpm hdd will keep up to USB 2.0, no problems.

thanks, good advice.

any idea on if the USB port on the router will be strong enough to power an external HDD? Or should i get one with separate PS? (I try to avoid that, it is a hassle with my current one, in case I later use it as my carry-around HDD)

Not sure about the routers power output. I know that sometimes you do not get enough power when you attach a 2.5" disk to a hub. A seperate power supply would make more sense and 3.5" disks are also cheaper per GB than the 2.5". They are supposed to be more reliable too - but that may only be because people do not lug them around.

whs said:

Not sure about the routers power output. I know that sometimes you do not get enough power when you attach a 2.5" disk to a hub. A seperate power supply would make more sense and 3.5" disks are also cheaper per GB than the 2.5". They are supposed to be more reliable too - but that may only be because people do not lug them around.

USB 2 ports are limited to 500ma each ... this is why you often see external 2.5 inch hdds with 2 usb plugs on them... it's also why all 3.5" externals use wall warts for power.

USB 2 ports are limited to 500ma each

Is that the same for ports on a router? I never owned such an animal. It may be less.

notsograymatter said:

In my experience, it's best not to use a 2.5" External Drive w/out a PS on a router. Not only do you have to rely on the fact that the Router can supply enough power, but it's just one more thing to have go wrong. I'd suggest either getting an external PS for the module you already have, or getting a completely different setup.

Here are some resources:

Thermaltake External 3.5" Hub (Allows quick swap of HDD) - $37
Newegg.com - Thermaltake BlacX N0028USU External Hard Drive SATA Enclosure Docking Station 2.5" & 3.5" USB 2.0 - External Enclosures

Rosewill External 3.5" Enclosure - $27
Newegg.com - Rosewill RX35-AT-SU BLK Aluminum 3.5" Black USB 2.0 External Enclosure - External Enclosures

Western Digital Caviar Blue - $70
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

In other words, for $110 you can have a 640GB USB HD thats either enclosed or swappable for when you get another hd.

I'll look into this. Especially i cnahave better HDDs, can swap them out. Good find.

I will try to set up my network with the existing external HDD first. I cam across one problem (and this might be better in the network forum). I have a W7 home network. So my laptop cna access certain folders on my desktop etc. On my desktop I can access the external HDD (LAN connected, wired, via USB connected to router) and move data. It shows up as "readyshare" network drive, similar to my other shared folders. On the laptop (wireless) I can't see the HDD. but i can loginto the router fromt he laptop (and see the USB drive). any advice what i need to set to make it visible from wireless