External HDD Enclosure Question

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legend86

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I'm interested in building my own external hdd very soon. My only question though is can anyone recommend a good enclosure?

I need a case with firewire ports AND a cooling fan as this HDD will not only be used for backup, but for long session usage. I found this one on ebay for like $25.99 + shipping:

3.5" SATA Hard Drive Enclosure Case USB + Firewire 1394 | eBay

http://www.amazon.com/Firewire-Combo-Enclosure-3-5-inch-Drive/dp/B0027IFZWG/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I want to do this for as cheap as possible, but I also don't want something so cheap that it may ruin my HDD. Would you guys go with this one or are there any alternatives you could suggest?

Thanks!
 

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SYBA PCI to Firewire 1394a 3+1 ports controller card Model SD-NEC-4F
Here's one for a buck if you want it. I recommend against it though. :P
3.5 inch SATA IDE HDD Anti-Static Storage tank Box Case | eBay

Anyway, did you sort results by 'Price+Shipping lowest first'? I find that gives me better, cheaper results in a more convenient way. And that case you're looking at now doesn't look too bad. It looks a bit ugly and outdated but performance-wise.... it should do the job.

Also check out this Amazon.com search as well as a cheap case I found on it.
Amazon.com: sata 3.5 firewire

There is also a site I was recently shown called PriceGrabber. It prices for certain products. I'll include a search links for 3.5" HDD enclosures as well as a couple of results.
Enclosures | Latest Enclosures Reviews and Prices | PriceGrabber.com
macally G-S350SUA Hard Drive Enclosure Listings and Reviews | [PriceGrabber.com
macally PHR-S100SUA Hard Drive Enclosure Listings and Reviews | [PriceGrabber.com

Hope that helps. :)
 

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Thanks so much!

Yeah, I saw the Macally's and they look great, plus they have firewire, but they don't come with fans. I know the metal body is supposed to provide extra cooling but I don't want to build this and chance burning up my HDD.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 Premium 32-Bit3.0Ghz AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 45nm Techno...4.0GB Single-Channel DDR2 @ 400MHz (5-5-5-15)ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series (Sapphire/PCPartner)
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built
OS
Windows 7 Premium 32-Bit
CPU
3.0Ghz AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 45nm Technology
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ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4N78 PRO (AM2/AM3)
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4.0GB Single-Channel DDR2 @ 400MHz (5-5-5-15)
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ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series (Sapphire/PCPartner)
Sound Card
Turtle Beach Montego DDL (C-Media PCI Audio Device)
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H190L
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1280x1024
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977GB Western Digital WDC WD10EARS-00Y5B1 ATA Device (IDE)
156GB Western Digital WDC WD1600BB-98FTA0 ATA Device (IDE)
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Sunbeam PSU-COM680-BK-US 680W ATX12V Modular Active PFC PSU
Case
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
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ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm Ceramic CPU Cooler
Keyboard
Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
HID-compliant mouse
Other Info
SYBA PCI to Firewire 1394a 3+1 ports controller card Model SD-NEC-4F
Yeah, I see what you mean. Just look through PriceGrabber and see what you find.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 Ultimate x64/Windows 8 Consumer Pre...Intel Pentium Dual Core E6700 3.2GHzStrontium 8192MB DDR3 1333Mhzmsi GeForce N560GTX-M2D1GD5 1GB
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Custom Build
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Windows 7 Ultimate x64/Windows 8 Consumer Preview x64/Ubuntu 11.04
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Intel Pentium Dual Core E6700 3.2GHz
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ASUS P5G41T-M LX
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Strontium 8192MB DDR3 1333Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
msi GeForce N560GTX-M2D1GD5 1GB
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
CHIMEI CMV 221D 22"
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Hard Drives
Seagate Barracuda LP Green 3.5'' 2TB Internal HDD 5900RPM + WD Elements Desktop 1TB External HDD 7200RPM
PSU
SHAW Viper-1500w Gaming PSU
Case
Black eMaxx ATX Mini Tower Case
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 1000
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2000
Internet Speed
100GB @ 4.76Mbps
I never heard of that company but it looks like the Rosewill eSATA case with a different interface.

The pickings are slim for firewire, there are plenty eSATA. OWC has some good external enclosures and most have firewire since they cater to Macs but they cost more than you are probably willing to pay.
 

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PC/Desktop
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Seasonic X-850 (2012 KM3 model)
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Fractal Design Define R4
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USB 3.0 x8 , SATA III x8, eSATA, USB 2.0 x6. Samsung DVD R/W drive.

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I've used a number of enclosures for people in the past, and if I wasn't going with an OEM brand, like Western Digital, I'd use an enclosure from Vantec. Check Newegg for the best selection/prices.
 

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