I need a quiet external eSata enclosure.

[Arcadio]

Does anyone know of a good eSata enclosure I can use with a Caviar Green 500GB drive? I'm planning to use it with my DirecTV DVR, but I want it to to run quiet and cool. Any suggestions?

 

[Zap]

I'd imagine most external enclosures would be the same. If they don't have a fan in them (usually marketed as a bonus so you know if it does or not) then the enclosure itself doesn't make any noise. Any noise would be from the actual drive in it, and a Caviar Green should be reasonably quiet.

 

[corkyg]

The price varies by connectivity options. This is top of the line- has USB 2, eSATA, and Firewire 400 and 800. I have 3 of them, and they are quiet, cool, and reliable on eSATA.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...tCode=10010692

 

[stargazr]

This one has a fan, hard to find. Not the nicest looking enclosure but good quality. I have a similar USB 3.0 model. There are no legs to stand it on it's side. Also has a power switch.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-042-_-Product

 

[Binky]

If it has a fan, it will eventually start making noise and/or fail. Mine have tended to make it maybe 2 years before the fans start wobbling and making noise (I'm hyper-sensitive to noise). If it doesn't have a fan the drive might run hot. For me, less noise is better than a (potentially) longer lasting drive.

The Vantec's have done well for me (3 units, zero failures). Corkyg linked one but there are several options in that Vantec line with various connections. They run $35-$50.

 

[QueBert]

I just got an Antec MX-1 in the mail today, has a fan that's very quiet, some people seem to really think it's ugly. But I really like how it looks and I think it fits in with a media center. It sorta reminds me of one of those old VCR rewinding machines.

 

[Vincent]

I have two Antec MX-1s and the fans on both are a little noisy. It doesn't bother me much because I use them for backups and they're powered on only long enough to do the backup. I wouldn't want to use these enclosures on a DVR.

 

[corkyg]

The Vantec's have done well for me (3 units, zero failures). Corkyg linked one but there are several options in that Vantec line with various connections. They run $35-$50.

Correct! But, OP specified eSATA - not too many of that.

 

[Yuriman]

I see little reason to use eSATA when USB3 performs just as well and is more widely available (and competitively priced).

EDIT: I'm dumb. Your DVR probably doesn't have USB3. Still, is USB not an option?

 

[Arcadio]

I see little reason to use eSATA when USB3 performs just as well and is more widely available (and competitively priced).

EDIT: I'm dumb. Your DVR probably doesn't have USB3. Still, is USB not an option?

eSata is the only option with my DVR.

 

[Zargon]

i have a macally esata thats quiet

only used it so far w/usb because it didnt come with an esata cable and I keep forgetting to order one

I see little reason to use eSATA when USB3 performs just as well and is more widely available (and competitively priced).

EDIT: I'm dumb. Your DVR probably doesn't have USB3. Still, is USB not an option?

not that many peolle have USB3 yet.

 

[hclarkjr]

another vote for the MX-1, have had mine over a year now with no trouble at all. fan gets noisy once in awhile but quiets down right away.

 

[Binky]

The MX-1 is excellent when new, but mine gathered dust on the fan that caused it to go a little out of balance (and make noise). The fan eventually got too loud to use. It would be easy to replace if you could find one for sale.

 

[Arcadio]

For those of you who own an Antec MX-1 enclosure, can a 2.5" drive be installed instead of a 3.5" drive? I think that would be perfect for me because then I can unplug the fan and the enclosure would be practically silent.

 

[novasatori]

I got this for $24.99:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

Fanless w/power switch esata and usb

I was really impressed, it even includes a bracket for the esata to sata if you don't have one built in, so you can use a motherboard sata port.

 

[jjmIII]

This one has a fan, hard to find. Not the nicest looking enclosure but good quality. I have a similar USB 3.0 model. There are no legs to stand it on it's side. Also has a power switch.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-042-_-Product

Great external! Have run one 24/7 for 2+ years.

15% off today only EMCYTZT294

 

[Vincent]

If you can find an appropriate adapter you can do this. Some of the adapters I have used for putting 2.5" drives in mid-tower cases don't work, though, because of peculiarities in hard drive mounting.

For those of you who own an Antec MX-1 enclosure, can a 2.5" drive be installed instead of a 3.5" drive? I think that would be perfect for me because then I can unplug the fan and the enclosure would be practically silent.

 

[jjmIII]

For those of you who own an Antec MX-1 enclosure, can a 2.5" drive be installed instead of a 3.5" drive? I think that would be perfect for me because then I can unplug the fan and the enclosure would be practically silent.

Huh? Just get a 2.5" enclosure in that case. Cheaper, and fan not needed.