External HD

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SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
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I plan on using this to put all my music, games, etc on. Would it be wise to place programs/games on it, so I don't have to reinstall when I format the HD? Or would this hinder performance? Here are some that I have in mind, and I would like to stay under $80 shipped, thanks in advance!

Edit:

Was reading around, and it seems like Cavalry has a good item. What is the difference between these two?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822101030

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822101081
 
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SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
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25 views and no reply, does no one have an opinion on the subject? I would like to order it tonight :(...
 
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Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Must have eSata - even if you wont use it right now. This will significantly increase the usefulness of the drive in the future.
 
exar333

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
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I would suggest getting an external enclosure with an internal HDD. This has been great for me as you can freely take the drive out and put it in a computer, if so inclined. Also, it gives you much more powerful drives to choose from. If your computer has eSATA, it's even better as you can use it just like a regular internal drive, and it will run at full speed.
 
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Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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MX-1 is great, just very pricey. I have one and love it. Not sure if I'd recommend it at $50 though. A prebuilt 1TB external drive can be had for $80 or less (guessing here...), making the $50 cost of the MX-1 seem very rich.

Esata is just sata connection for external drives. Get a USB2/eSata drive or case and figure the eSata thing out later.
 
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Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: SirJangly
How about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817182134
Click to expand...

That's a laptop drive case. Unless you need something small, stick with the 3.5" (i.e. normal desktop) drive cases. Price for case alone is $30-$50. A prebuilt external drive is nothing more than an internal drive stuck inside of an external (proprietary) case. Buy it built, or buy the two pieces and assemble yourself. Basically the same thing.
 
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SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
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I see that I could get much more cache with an internal stuck inside an external case....would this really make much of a difference? Also, in both cases, I should be able to plug it in, and it'd show up as another drive on "My Computer," correct?
 
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SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
680
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Originally posted by: Binky
Originally posted by: SirJangly
How about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817182134
Click to expand...

That's a laptop drive case. Unless you need something small, stick with the 3.5" (i.e. normal desktop) drive cases. Price for case alone is $30-$50. A prebuilt external drive is nothing more than an internal drive stuck inside of an external (proprietary) case. Buy it built, or buy the two pieces and assemble yourself. Basically the same thing.
Click to expand...

Based on what you said, is that hitachi a good deal? Seems like the best bang for the buck...
 
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imported_wired247

Golden Member
Jan 18, 2008
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+1 on the external enclosure (I have one with USB 2.0 and eSATA, good for all occasions)

the reason is, you get to pick your HDD which means best performance and reliability. you get to pick your connectors. and you get to choose your cooling.

IMO prepackaged external HDDs are more likely to have shoddy performance or unreliable parts.


 
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SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
680
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Originally posted by: wired247
+1 on the external enclosure (I have one with USB 2.0 and eSATA, good for all occasions)

the reason is, you get to pick your HDD which means best performance and reliability. you get to pick your connectors. and you get to choose your cooling.

IMO prepackaged external HDDs are more likely to have shoddy performance or unreliable parts.
Click to expand...

Would you be able to help me find a good combo for around my price range? (80$) I'm not sure what is considered good :(
 
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imported_wired247

Golden Member
Jan 18, 2008
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well, I will show you that I got this enclosure
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817153061

works great, pretty much silent, usb2.0 and esata, my only gripe is the connectors are a tiny bit loose. But if you aren't constantly yanking it all over the place the wires should stay put.

my guess is there are probably better quality ones available and possibly for cheaper, just not sure where.
 
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Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
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81
Either of the prepackaged drives in your first post would be fine. I'd just buy the packaged drive.

If you want to buy the two pieces separately, maybe this (total of ~$91+shipping):

For the drive, I found this one on sale today for -10% (use code EMCHDD10)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 - this is their newest drive. I've got one...very fast. Love it. Also, runs very cool and is smaller than normal. Hell, replace your main system drive with this and stick your old system drive in the case! ;)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...95&Tpk=N82E16822148395

For the case, there are many options, including these two:

VANTEC NST-360SU - has no fan, so probably best for temporary operation. I have two and they work very well. I leave them on for days at a time with no problems.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817145167


Or, the Thermaltake N0012US linked by wired247 - has a fan so might be better for running 24/7, although I also see lots of blue light, and I would expect some fan noise...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817153061
 
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SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
680
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Thanks for everything guys. I decided that this drive will just be a way to back up things like videos/pictures/etc whenever I reformat my main hd. I think the idea of running games and programs off of it would have made my internal HD pointless, besides hosting the OS. I went with the hitachi, and got it for just under $90 with shipping and an extra 2 year warranty :)
 
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