Seagate or Western digital External HDD?

[Night Hawk]

I prefer to have the faster bus already included on the board. But the one concern is the new plugs are no longer two wires but six wires with the plug being heavier there. Will the port size be effected?

Supposedly you will still be able to use 2.0 devices but at the reduced 2.0 speed. Following the CES one blog was quoted everywhere you looked on one comparison of a Seagate USB 3.0 drive to the 2.0 equivalent whcih supposedly was stacked up against eSata as well. Here's something about the new SuperSpeed USB as it is labeled.

SuperSpeed USB brings significant performance enhancements to the ubiquitous USB standard, while remaining compatible with the billions of USB enabled devices currently deployed in the market. SuperSpeed USB will deliver 10x the data transfer rate of Hi-Speed USB, as well as improved power efficiency.​

• SuperSpeed USB has a 5 Gbps signaling rate offering 10x performance increase over Hi-Speed USB.
• SuperSpeed USB is a Sync-N-Go technology that minimizes user wait-time.
• SuperSpeed USB will provide Optimized Power Efficiency.No device polling and lower active and idle power requirements.
• SuperSpeed USB is backwards compatible with USB 2.0. Devices interoperate with USB 2.0 platforms. Hosts support USB 2.0 legacy devices.

USB.org - SuperSpeed USB

Another one that stacks things up a bit is seen at http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10141810-76.html

 

[noobvious]

.....But from what you're saying, sounds like it could be troublesome....I guess I have some research to do.

I've been wondering if a new PCI > eSATA card .. Instead of using the onboard SATA ...
would give me SATA Hot Swap capabilities ...
But have other things to Play with (Buy) right now.

I can imagine that if i had one really Huge file to transfer to an external .. eSATA would be faster ..
But when moving many Small files .. It seems that all the delay is while Windows organizes it's thoughts ... Before it even starts to copy.

I'm not Broken ... Not sure I want to attempt a fix.
I'd probably spend more time fixing the fix .. than I waste using USB.

Well, if I was buying a proper external drive, it may well manage heat better than the one I am using now....that's what worries me when I do a full backup, how hot the darn thing gets. I wouldn't worry so much about how long backups take if my external wasn't getting that hot. So maybe basic USB 2.0 would serve my needs then.

 

[Night Hawk]

No surprize at hearing that one! When you first started seeing usb externals out people complained up and down about the heat in the confined enclosures for the 3.5" models!

The ideal setup is simply taking a well cooled external enclosure you buy separately and insert a large capacity drive in that. That will make things a bit bulky however for those who want portability.

 

[noobvious]

No surprize at hearing that one! When you first started seeing usb externals out people complained up and down about the heat in the confined enclosures for the 3.5" models!

The ideal setup is simply taking a well cooled external enclosure you buy separately and insert a large capacity drive in that. That will make things a bit bulky however for those who want portability.

Well, curiosity bit, so I just opened up the case. There really is no room for airflow, much less a fan. The drive inside is a refurb'd 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM. So to compensate, as you can see, I found a little fan to blow on the couple vents on the back when I power the drive up. I figure it is better than nothing, given that there was a faint burnt smell:shock: from the HDD when I pulled it out(nothing visible though).

I'm not sure I know enough to buy a drive and the casing, power supply, etc., and build it properly. Ideally, another 640GB Caviar Black(or a 750GB) like my internal would be a sweet external option....I don't need to carry it around, I just want a backup of my internal in case something happens.

But since the computer expert in the family is a couple states away, I'll probably have to buy one. Hopefully the no-assembly-required drives are properly cooled.

 

[hdmi]

Western Digital. I have 5 of them (210meg IDE, 412meg IDE, 80gig Ultra100, 320gig 2.5" SATA2, 1tera Elements USB2), all still working fine even though the oldest one is 18 years now.

 

[noyb]

I'm not sure I know enough to buy a drive and the casing, power supply, etc., and build it properly. Ideally, another 640GB Caviar Black(or a 750GB) like my internal would be a sweet external option....

I'm using a couple of 1TB WD Greens in an enclosure that has limited cooling ..
They seem to run reasonably cool for long periods.

I've been looking at one of These Enclosures for the next Build .. It looks like it has good cooling ...Then I'd probably use a WD Black in it.

But .. It might be better to wait for a USB <> eSATA 3 .. I wonder when they'll be available.
I'm also wondering if a 7200RPM drive can keep up with it ??

 

[Muad Dib]

No surprize at hearing that one! When you first started seeing usb externals out people complained up and down about the heat in the confined enclosures for the 3.5" models!

The ideal setup is simply taking a well cooled external enclosure you buy separately and insert a large capacity drive in that. That will make things a bit bulky however for those who want portability.

Well, curiosity bit, so I just opened up the case. There really is no room for airflow, much less a fan. The drive inside is a refurb'd 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM. So to compensate, as you can see, I found a little fan to blow on the couple vents on the back when I power the drive up. I figure it is better than nothing, given that there was a faint burnt smell:shock: from the HDD when I pulled it out(nothing visible though).

I'm not sure I know enough to buy a drive and the casing, power supply, etc., and build it properly. Ideally, another 640GB Caviar Black(or a 750GB) like my internal would be a sweet external option....I don't need to carry it around, I just want a backup of my internal in case something happens.

But since the computer expert in the family is a couple states away, I'll probably have to buy one. Hopefully the no-assembly-required drives are properly cooled.

I'm not sure I know enough to buy a drive and the casing, power supply, etc., and build it properly. Ideally, another 640GB Caviar Black(or a 750GB) like my internal would be a sweet external option....

I'm using a couple of 1TB WD Greens in an enclosure that has limited cooling ..
They seem to run reasonably cool for long periods.

I've been looking at one of These Enclosures for the next Build .. It looks like it has good cooling ...Then I'd probably use a WD Black in it.

But .. It might be better to wait for a USB <> eSATA 3 .. I wonder when they'll be available.
I'm also wondering if a 7200RPM drive can keep up with it ??

You can get that SILVER Rosewill USB/eSATA enclosure right now for $30 shipped. Go to Newegg, put it in your cart and apply promo code EMCLMMN62.

I am thinkng about it but I need to figure out if I can squeeze a PCIe-x1 to eSATA card in next to my HD4830 video card... it is tight. Also I want the black enclosure which the promo code does not work for....

 

[noyb]

You can get that SILVER Rosewill USB/eSATA enclosure right now for $30 shipped. Go to Newegg, put it in your cart and apply promo code EMCLMMN62

Good info .. Thanks
The only reason I haven't got one already ....
It makes absolutely no sense to me to hide the power switch on the back panel.
I'm still looking for a better one with a power switch on the front.

Have you seen These ... (also available at Menards) ..
They could turn your externals On or Off with the computer.
I love mine .. But they only control my several LED desk lamps right now.

My Wife's computer shuts down her Whole Sewing room

If I used an eSATA external connection ..
And the external powered Up or Down with my Computer (automatically) ..
then this would work around the eSATA "Hot Swap" Problem.

 

[Muad Dib]

Good info .. Thanks
The only reason I haven't got one already ....
It makes absolutely no sense to me to hide the power switch on the back panel.
I'm still looking for a better one with a power switch on the front.

Have you seen These ... (also available at Menards) ..
They could turn your externals On or Off with the computer.
I love mine .. But they only control my several LED desk lamps right now.

My Wife's computer shuts down her Whole Sewing room

If I used an eSATA external connection ..
And the external powered Up or Down with my Computer (automatically) ..
then this would work around the eSATA "Hot Swap" Problem.

Thanks, I have not seen those before. I did set up one office with the Belkin wireless surge protector which allows them to cut everything on/off with a single switch (they still must press the power button on the tower to start the computer though).

I have yet to experience the joy of the eSATA "Hot Swap" problem. Seems there are several variations on it. I am not sure it would be that critical to me personally since I don't intend to leave it connected anyway. I just want the speed when i do a periodic backups.

 

[Night Hawk]

No surprize at hearing that one! When you first started seeing usb externals out people complained up and down about the heat in the confined enclosures for the 3.5" models!

The ideal setup is simply taking a well cooled external enclosure you buy separately and insert a large capacity drive in that. That will make things a bit bulky however for those who want portability.

Well, curiosity bit, so I just opened up the case. There really is no room for airflow, much less a fan. The drive inside is a refurb'd 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM. So to compensate, as you can see, I found a little fan to blow on the couple vents on the back when I power the drive up. I figure it is better than nothing, given that there was a faint burnt smell:shock: from the HDD when I pulled it out(nothing visible though).

I'm not sure I know enough to buy a drive and the casing, power supply, etc., and build it properly. Ideally, another 640GB Caviar Black(or a 750GB) like my internal would be a sweet external option....I don't need to carry it around, I just want a backup of my internal in case something happens.

But since the computer expert in the family is a couple states away, I'll probably have to buy one. Hopefully the no-assembly-required drives are properly cooled.

Newegg has a tom of premade enclosures to look over there. Note the best run about $40 and up for those with real cooling! Newegg.com - External Enclosure, External Hard Drive Enclosure, USB External Enclosure, Multimedia External Enclosure

For a look there I would be serious about the Thermaltake BlacX model since that supports two 2tb HDs where others only upto 1tb for each drive plus the better cooling to start. Newegg.com - Thermaltake BlacX N0028USU External Hard Drive SATA Enclosure Docking Station 2.5" & 3.5" USB 2.0 - External Enclosures

 

[noobvious]

I'm not sure I know enough to buy a drive and the casing, power supply, etc., and build it properly. Ideally, another 640GB Caviar Black(or a 750GB) like my internal would be a sweet external option....

I'm using a couple of 1TB WD Greens in an enclosure that has limited cooling ..
They seem to run reasonably cool for long periods.

I've been looking at one of These Enclosures for the next Build .. It looks like it has good cooling ...Then I'd probably use a WD Black in it.

But .. It might be better to wait for a USB <> eSATA 3 .. I wonder when they'll be available.
I'm also wondering if a 7200RPM drive can keep up with it ??

No surprize at hearing that one! When you first started seeing usb externals out people complained up and down about the heat in the confined enclosures for the 3.5" models!

The ideal setup is simply taking a well cooled external enclosure you buy separately and insert a large capacity drive in that. That will make things a bit bulky however for those who want portability.

Well, curiosity bit, so I just opened up the case. There really is no room for airflow, much less a fan. The drive inside is a refurb'd 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM. So to compensate, as you can see, I found a little fan to blow on the couple vents on the back when I power the drive up. I figure it is better than nothing, given that there was a faint burnt smell:shock: from the HDD when I pulled it out(nothing visible though).

I'm not sure I know enough to buy a drive and the casing, power supply, etc., and build it properly. Ideally, another 640GB Caviar Black(or a 750GB) like my internal would be a sweet external option....I don't need to carry it around, I just want a backup of my internal in case something happens.

But since the computer expert in the family is a couple states away, I'll probably have to buy one. Hopefully the no-assembly-required drives are properly cooled.

Newegg has a tom of premade enclosures to look over there. Note the best run about $40 and up for those with real cooling! Newegg.com - External Enclosure, External Hard Drive Enclosure, USB External Enclosure, Multimedia External Enclosure

For a look there I would be serious about the Thermaltake BlacX model since that supports two 2tb HDs where others only upto 1tb for each drive plus the better cooling to start. Newegg.com - Thermaltake BlacX N0028USU External Hard Drive SATA Enclosure Docking Station 2.5" & 3.5" USB 2.0 - External Enclosures

You guys have me thinking now....like maybe it wouldn't be beyond me to do this. Great links, and much food for thought while I wait for tax season to come to fruition. +rep.

 

[Night Hawk]

I considered grabbing one just like the Thermaltake if not the same brand back in 2008 when first looking at external drives. I ended up pulling first the 500gb out of one and then simply yanked the 1tb drive out of the casing right out of the retail box without using externally first.

Both of those were WD Green Power drives as well as another 1tb ordered OEM from newegg. This is why I went with the 1tb Caviar Black edition for the new host drive since the GPs are best for storage!

 

[noobvious]

I considered grabbing one just like the Thermaltake if not the same brand back in 2008 when first looking at external drives. I ended up pulling first the 500gb out of one and then simply yanked the 1tb drive out of the casing right out of the retail box without using externally first.

Both of those were WD Green Power drives as well as another 1tb ordered OEM from newegg. This is why I went with the 1tb Caviar Black edition for the new host drive since the GPs are best for storage!

I wasn't aware of the difference between the Black and Green models until the link in noyb's post earlier....I'm learning something every day here, seems like. The Green does sound like the way to go.

 

[Night Hawk]

For storage/backup I have the two 1tb GP drives still in use. With one sata port taken for the optical drive the first 500gb GP was removed for the new Black edition 1tb host. A 500gb Blue edition model however is being added into an old XP build for a fresh install of 7 Home Premium where I will simply drop the 500 GP in as a second storage drive for that case.

Well that's how you upgrade someone out of XP Pro on the old 250gb ide drive into 7! The next build for the family member will see 7 Pro however where the storage drive(500gb GP) simply gets moved along!

 

[Muad Dib]

Some people do it anyway but I do not suggest any "green" power saving drive for the OS. They will have a lag going in and out of powersave mode.

Currently I have a WD Caviar Black 640GB for the OS, a 500GB WD AAKS model and a 500 GB Samsung model for internal storage. I have a 1.5TB "green" WD15EARS (in a WD Elements USB enclosure) for external storage. That is the one I may tranfer to an eSATA enclosure.

The Thermaltake docking stations don't interest me in particular for long term usage. They may be great for maintenance but I don't like having a bare drive sitting exposed. Any enclosure I look at has to have a fan. The Rosewill 358's get good ratings and the fan is a standard 80mm.

 

[Night Hawk]

The older two 500gb WD models are AAKS drives used originally for the XP/Vista dual boot and never saw the problems seen when trying more then one install of 7 first being the 64bit beta and onto the RC 64. Each installation appeared to go on normally but problems with programs installed kept coming up.

Get this, the drive has no faults, no bad sectors having been bought at the tail end of '08 then installed internally back late Feb. '09. The same applies to Seagate drives there I imagine as well being geared for external energy efficiency as well as other brands.

The EAGLE model for a bit less is more on the idea of a fan cooled enclosure while 6cm is still a bit small. Newegg.com - EAGLE Consus ET-CSDU2J-BK DUAL 3.5" SATA I/II to USB 2.0 2-BAY JBOD External Enclosure - External Enclosures

Those are the two best for under $50 seen now. The next up is a pair of SIG with fans on the ends. Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Computer Accessories,External Enclosures,$50 - $75,Yes=

Now if price isn't a factor you could one step upto and pay twice as much for a 4 HD enclosure with temp monitor and 8cm fan seen on the AMS Venus model. Newegg.com - AMS VENUS ES2 DS-312SUES 3.5" Black USB & eSATA External Enclosure - External Enclosures

There you still only see it handle 1tb drives. Anyone for ICY? $269.99 Newegg.com - ICY DOCK MB561US-4S 4 Bay 3.5” SATA to eSATA Port Multiplier & USB 2.0 Removable Aluminum External Hard Drive Enclosure for Mac & PC - External Enclosures

 

[hdmi]

For extra speed and capacity, I bought two separate Medion HDDrive2GO 1.5tera external eSATA / USB2 units. They're quite noisy next to my WD Elements 1tera USB2 as they have a fast Seagate inside.

 

[Night Hawk]

It was interesting running into a guide on how to remove an external for internal showing the exact same model WD MyBook Essentials show in the blog. Western Digital MyBook Open Case Recover Data Scott Cramer wrote this.

While having it in the casing when first bought all you saw was the blue led strobing when busy but no drive sounds heard! When feeling the casing itself after some large transfers the casing was room temp.

I am now considering simply stuffing it back in for temp use only when helping someone upgrade out of any old XP case since most of those were running 250gb ide half the size of that. The second external of course was bought for additional internal storage and opened up the first day for immediate installation there.

Why internal? Lack of space on the pc desk here between other equipment like video and printers as well as the two monitor stands, extendable desk lamp with dimmer, usb hub for headset, cam, flash drives, etc. The tower sits down in it's own compartment not being a dust collector on the floor!

I did spot one external enclosure some time back however that saw twin 120 led fans for about $40- but no longer seen. That was certainly an eye catcher for cooling compared to the rest seen lately.

 

[Dave76]

Connecting an external via eSATA may be a problem.
You'll probably have to reboot the computer before it'll recognize the eSATA ...
and do NOT disconnect it before you turn the computer OFF.

Several reboots may be required to fix the problem this'll cause.

The only reason I connect my externals via eSATA ...
Is if I want to boot from an operating system in the external.

My uncle, who built this machine, recommended me going that route for the speed advantage over the USB 2.0 drive I have now. But from what you're saying, sounds like it could be troublesome....I guess I have some research to do.

I've been using eSATA external for quite sometime now and found a good program to plug and play externals HDDs: HotSwap!
Some more info on this thread.
I've been using it for over a year now and it works great. I can plug and play my eSATA external HD at anytime and no problems.
You will need your BIOS set to ACHI or RAID mode to be able to plug and play.
It will tell you if any files are being used and when it's safe to un-plug. Looks and works just like the default windows "Safely Remove Hardware" icon function.
The new version 5.0 is updated for Windows 7 and comes in 32bit and 64bit.

I added the eSATA to my desktop, SATA cable to backplate crossover to eSATA cable (no cards), the HotSwap program works great.
Was using the HotSwap program on my laptops eSATA and it was working great also, updated the BIOS and it hot swaps the eSATA on it's own now.

 

[Night Hawk]

Here I would have to add in a separate controller card for eSata since the ports are already taken up by one optical and 5 sata HDs. That rules out connecting the eSata ports on the case as well.