Best external enclosure (single drive) eSATA & USB?

[Obsoleet]

I'm looking at the Vantec NexStar 3 primarily as it has eSATA and USB 2.0. I'd prefer USB3.0 but my PC doesn't have it, and most enclosures appear to be USB3.0 alone when they offer it.

Mostly looking for one that's fanless too, less to break. The Vantec is aluminum so it should work well but I've read some negative reviews of it's eSATA capabilities. Would it be pointless to not get a USB3 external, even if I don't have USB3 yet?

Any recommendations?

Also, going to pair it with either a 7200.12 1TB or a Barracude 2TB (5900RPM), my 7200.11 is starting to have spin up failures and make a little noise but it's not up for RMA because it passes Seagate's tests.

 

[FishAk]

USB 3 is backward compatible with USB 2. I don't have anything USB 3, but I take that to mean a 3 enclosure will work with a 2 system- albeit, at 2 speeds, of course.

 

[Obsoleet]

It will, but USB2 is excruciatingly slow. I'll probably put a new HDD internally and wait for a USB3/eSATA drive from Vantec.

 

[FishAk]

What I tried to say is that you could buy a USB 3 enclosure, and use it on your current system, as well as a USB 3 system you are likely to upgrade to in the future.

Incidently, that ASUS U3S6 card has two USB 3 connectors if I remember right. I understand the SATA III part is crap, but it may be OK for the USB.

 

[Obsoleet]

I thought about that, but isnt eSATA still faster than USB3? I thought that the Asus USB3 cards didn't work on all Asus motherboards, mine included.

 

[corkyg]

eSATA is today, and the Vantec NexStar 3 is an excellent case. I have three of them - all on eSATA. I probably will not see USB 3 until maybe next yeare if I decide to get a new 'puter. AFAIK, eSATA is on a par with USB 3, and it is here today.

I would be looking for a new Vantec case with eSATA and USB 3. I would expect them to do that pretty soon.

 

[alaricljs]

Another woohoo from a current NexStar 3 owner, eSATA attached.

 

[StormSide]

I just got a Nexstar CX from amazon averages around 100MB from sata to esata.

$27 right now (got mine for $22)

http://www.amazon.com/Vantec-NST-300.../dp/B0015LURY2