What Kind of External Back up hard drive should I get?

I want something thats encrypted if you want to and 1TB. Easy to use.

I got questions about back up hard drives:

1. If you have schedule back up on does it overwrite the previous backup?

2. I heard if you want the whole system on the back up you have to image software how does that work exactly?

3. Can you take that image the image software takes and store it on the back up drive?

4. What happens if you have the OS on the hard-drive and you connect it to a new computer? Would it overwrite?

5. When you go to back up does it seriously back up everything from the drive? Cause I have Itunes library I don't feel like using 600 disc to back that up...

Thanks

mjf said:

1. Check that it spins at 7200 rpm (not 5400)

For a backup drive, I don't think it matters if it spins slower. My drive that I use is a Sansung SpinPoint 2TB model, it spins at 5400PRM and benches out around 90MB/sec via eSATA which is pretty much the fastest interface you are going to find.

I use this drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pinpoint%202tb
In this dock: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-071-_-Product
With this software: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-022-_-Product ( I use 2010 version however)

I've got a 500gb Seagate Freeagent like Joules mentioned. Right now I'm running on the normal Seven BU with the Image, but I'm also backing up more partitions using the Seagate software. I am going to be transitioning to Acronis in the very near future (have it already, just haven't set it up).

mjf said:

pparks1 said:

For a backup drive, I don't think it matters if it spins slower. My drive that I use is a Sansung SpinPoint 2TB model, it spins at 5400PRM and benches out around 90MB/sec via eSATA which is pretty much the fastest interface you are going to find.

I didn't clarify, I was talking USB and I notice a speed difference between my WD 5400rpms and WD7200 rpm. For esata I'd be expecting sata sequential transfer speeds of 120MB/s which I get for my Seagate. Is esata slower?

Most standard mechanical hard drives cannot supply data sequentially at 120MB/s. Even my WD Caviar Black cannot hit that. It can burst there and can start out in an HDTune test there...but overall is well under 120MB/sec

My eSATA speeds are pretty much spot on with having the drive internally in the computer.

pparks1 said:

Most standard mechanical hard drives cannot supply data sequentially at 120MB/s. Even my WD Caviar Black cannot hit that. It can burst there and can start out in an HDTune test there...but overall is well under 120MB/sec

So how do I interpret this 1GB sequential test for my Seagate Barracuda 7200.12
(ST31000528AS).



Add: The 512k and 2x 4k tests are random data tests.

mjf said:

pparks1 said:

Most standard mechanical hard drives cannot supply data sequentially at 120MB/s. Even my WD Caviar Black cannot hit that. It can burst there and can start out in an HDTune test there...but overall is well under 120MB/sec

So how do I interpret this 1GB sequential test for my Seagate Barracuda 7200.12
(ST31000528AS).



Add: The 512k and 2x 4k tests are random data tests.

It seems that with that test and your mobo that your 7200.12 indeed hits 120MB. I've got a 7200.12 in one of my machines and this is how it tests with HDTUne;


Either way, I don't think that most standard hard drives are pushing 120MB+ consistently....so I still don't think that I would insist upon a 7200RPM if it's external for backups. If you need all out speed, then by all means buy the 7200RPM and be happy. But if you can get a great deal on a 2TB drive, but find out that it's only 5400 RPM it doesn't mean it has to be a showstopper. It might only be the difference between 98MB/sec and 107MB/sec. And usually with a backup application, it's going to have a bit of processing time anyway..so your drive won't be running at it's max throughput most likely.

I'll have to give that other benchmark a run on my machine and see how my 7200.12 does.

seekermeister said:

Personally, instead of a dedicated ext. drive, I prefer to use internal drives placed in an external case, with slide-out trays. This offers the flexibility of switching drives around in seconds...particularly if that case has multiple slots.

And it is cheaper in the long run.

For switching it off when not in use, get a remote light switch from Home Depot and plug the power supply into that. Then you can switch it on and off from your desk. Heath Zenith Indoor Remote Kit - SL-6135 at The Home Depot