External HDD recommendation?

martinlest · 16 Oct 2017

Been looking for a good, reliable external HDD, 4TBs capacity minimum. Lots of drives out there with 'backup' in the name, but seems that is usually there for a reason. I need the drive to be actively reading files (Ortho4XP terrain files for X-Plane 11, to be precise - if that means anything to folks here), not as data storage. The read rate is therefore important, as is (of course) durability/reliability. Cost also a factor

My head is starting to swim with all the Googling now, so any recommendations would be welcome! Thanks.

TechnoMage2016 · 16 Oct 2017

Well, for this old tech, it would be easier to make suggestions if you'd tell us more about your system.

If it's a decent sized Desktop PC, put the drive INSIDE the PC and connect it up to the Motherboard.

If it's a Laptop PC, then you'll need a good external (USB) drive.

In either case, I personally would go for any of several well known brand name drives, except WD.

Now, how about filling in the blanks......

Layback Bear · 16 Oct 2017

Another thought and opinion.

A ssd with a sata connection. ssd will cost more of course but would probable be worth it.

Jack

martinlest · 16 Oct 2017

For my PC specs, TechnoMage, you just click the bottom left of my post, on 'My System Specs', and all the blanks will be filled in for you. :)

The case, you will note, is mini-format. I only have two SSDs inside (partly as I used to work in Sri Lanka and didn't want any spinning HDDs creating extra heat!). If money were no object I'd put an extra SSD, but I'd need a minimum of 2TBs, ideally 4TBs... the cost is absurd for this purpose.

As for HDD, there was a reasonable 4TB drive I was considering, but WD.. The problem is, when you look at customer feedback on Amazon or wherever, there is always a relatively (and worryingly) high minority of people who have bought that particular model and it has failed on them within days, or weeks... 'DO NOT buy this drive', they rant. I tend to chicken out before I press the 'buy now' button! I guess, if I want a 4 or 6TB drive, I've just got to trust to luck that mine will be OK - most of the drives I have bought in the past have survived for years, after all.

Thanks...

ThrashZone · 16 Oct 2017

Hi,
Western digital black or blue series it's tough to go wrong
Enclosures are a dime a dozen not many boards have esata anymore so pick one that is usb3 or just hook the hdd internally it sounds like they will be accessad a lot anyway.

RoasterMen · 16 Oct 2017

Haswell motherboards do have E-Sata but they are so rare now. My GA-X48-DQ6 have four that takes space from the expansion slots from the chassis.

Megahertz07 · 17 Oct 2017

External USB HDD are 5400RPM. And they fail more often due to shocks while running.
The best thing is to install a normal desktop HDD inside the case.
I would buy a WD Black or Gold.

martinlest · 17 Oct 2017

Thanks, but as I said somewhere above, I do not want any HDD inside the case (where there are only SSDs).

What I was really asking in this thread was for opinions about external HDDs that are recommended (performance-wise) for constant use, rather than a backup that won't be accessed very often. 4TBs-8TBs+, depending on price. For that amount of space, SSDs are really too expensive.

Megahertz07 · 17 Oct 2017

I read all posts and I knew that you're looking for an external drive.
Only at last option I would use a external drive.
Under Hardware & Devices what you find most is External HDD that failed.

ThrashZone · 17 Oct 2017

Hi,
If you have room on the front of your case I noticed this model now has a nifty 3.5 single hdd tray :)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A direct link
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1