external enclosure for SATA HDD. Advice needed

[cmdrdredd]

I need an external enclosure for an SATA HDD. It has to support both USB and eSATA. My current one had a fan that crapped out and the HDD gets steaming hot. Not good. I will be using a Seagate 7200.11 1TB HDD in it. Prefer a fan inside that won't crap out (longevity is important).

Any advice?

 

[RebateMonger]

Do you actually need an enclosure, or can you use one of the eSATA/USB docking stations? Those are wide open, so no fan is needed. My Seagate 7200.11 1.5 GB runs fine in my docking stations.

Otherwise, I really like the large horizontal fans in the Apricorn line of aluminum eSATA/USB enclosures. I've got a couple I've been running 24/7 for a couple of years with no fan problems.

 

[cmdrdredd]

well, I figured an enclosure with a fan would be the best but open air might not be all that bad...hadn't thought about it. Which docking station do you recommend?

 

[Blain]

I really like the ThermalTake BlacX ST0005U that I purchased.
You can get a Refurbished unit a bit cheaper from ThermalTake, but not much after shipping is added.

 

[boomhower]

I have an Antex MX-1 with a 1.5TB Seagate in it and have been very happy with it. It has both USB and E-SATA. It also has a cooling fan that is pretty much silent. Looks good to boot. I like it so much I want another but they have jacked the price up on them. I paid $30 for mine and now they are wanting $50, I'll wait for them to drop again.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I have an Antex MX-1 with a 1.5TB Seagate in it and have been very happy with it. It has both USB and E-SATA. It also has a cooling fan that is pretty much silent. Looks good to boot. I like it so much I want another but they have jacked the price up on them. I paid $30 for mine and now they are wanting $50, I'll wait for them to drop again.

The MX-1 is the one where the fan crapped out on me. I think it's past warranty at this point though.

I'll take a look at the Thermaltake unit, that might work well.

 

[RebateMonger]

I really like the ThermalTake BlacX ST0005U that I purchased.

I've got one of these and one cheaper clone that is USB-only. The clone still works, but the power light quit working after a week.

I've used both on a couple of different computers and different SATA disks without problems. For my personal use, I don't plan to buy any more conventional external disk enclosures.

Here's a bunch of favorable reviews at CompUSA's site:
http://www.compusa.com/applications/...117&CatId=2785

Amazon reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-B...sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

 

[Red Squirrel]

since it's a 7200.11 you might as well just let it overheat. It's going to fail anyway. Make sure you have good backups.

 

[DBissett]

I need an external enclosure for an SATA HDD. It has to support both USB and eSATA. My current one had a fan that crapped out and the HDD gets steaming hot. Not good. I will be using a Seagate 7200.11 1TB HDD in it. Prefer a fan inside that won't crap out (longevity is important).

Any advice?

I hve this one by Rosewill and it's solid.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817173042

 

[Golgatha]

The MX-1 is the one where the fan crapped out on me. I think it's past warranty at this point though.

I'll take a look at the Thermaltake unit, that might work well.

As an interim solution, you could remove the top cover off the MX-1 and it will be open-air cooled. It's just a single screw and then you remove the top off. I have one myself and love it. Thankfully my fan is doing fine.

 

[Cr0nJ0b]

I have a Nexstar docking station that does both eSATA and USB 2.0. I really like it. You can turn it off, when not needed and since it can do both SATA and USB it's a lot easier to work with. I find that my system locks up when I try to hot plug a SATA drive. Drive is mostly exposed, so heat is not an issue.

 

[s44]

I hve this one by Rosewill and it's solid.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817173042

I've been using this 24/7 as a Tivo expansion drive for years now with no problem.