External HDD Bay

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May 24, 2013
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Hi there,

I tend to take up A LOT of space when I'm taking photos so I'm starting to look into an external bay to store them onto.
I'm hoping someone can point me to the right kit so that I'm able to get started.
Just one question though -

Can I buy a SATA bay and place internal drives to place into that, then connect it to my PC with a USB 2.0?

I know this is a little vague but I don't know exactly what I'm looking for to suit my needs.

Thanks, Chris.
 
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EonW

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To be honest, it is probably easier simply getting a ready made up unit - say a Seagate 1TB external drive, or a WD Passport, which will work right off. The only decision is size, and whether you want one that runs off the USB port or it's own power supply. Get USB3 though.
 
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May 24, 2013
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Well that's the thing, I want to be able to take files to other places.



I want to be able to have multiple hard drives so that I can manage my files easily and transport them places if needs be.
Do you know of a basic bay with 4 or 5 slots that I can plug directly into a USB 2.0 or does a USB 3.0 work with 2.0 as well?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Looking around Newegg, there are a couple.
8 bay - $299 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817576012

4 bay - $160 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817198044

4 bay - $110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817576009


None of those are really light or 'portable'
How much stuff are you hauling around that a 3TB single drive won't suffice?
 
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Thanks for the links, they look pretty good to me.

I'm partly thinking for the future - I take several hundred RAW 18MP photos each week, they come to about 30MB each and I only delete about two thirds of them each month.
EDIT: The photos are stored on a separate HDD that only holds 230GB, there are 67GB left.

I do a full system format every month to keep my computer from getting cluttered up so it means I can move my personal files onto there when I'm doing that. I've been using two 150GB hard drives for the past 4 months but it's not going to be able to take all that data soon enough.

It probably sounds a bit silly to you but I just like to keep everything organised so I know where files are and I can get to them quicker.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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I do a full system format every month to keep my computer from getting cluttered up
Click to expand...

Oh my.
I take a lot of pictures as well. Not to your level, but quite a few.

But a full system format once a month? Why? With Windows 7 or later, that is not necessary.
Just direct the images to different drives, other than the OS+application drive.

If you're not constantly installing and uninstalling applications, your OS drive (and the OS) won't get cluttered up.

Get one or two 3TB external drives. That should alleviate any space issues for quite a while.
 
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I don't have any other drives, which is the problem. I also plan to keep taking photos for a long time so I know I'm going to need the space eventually and the thing is, I am constantly installing, uninstalling, deleting, downloading and uploading. It just gives my computer a fresh start each month, plus I have the time to do it - can it damage the computer by formatting it monthly?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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It won't damage anything, it's just unnecessary.

But yes...get a couple of large drives, either internal or external.
You're currently operating with a couple of 150GB drives, and a 230GB drive.
2 x 3TB drives is 20x that space, at $120 each. Easily enough to last the rest of this decade.
 
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No no, sorry - I haven't explained myself properly.

I have two computers that I use on the network - one that runs server etc, and this one that I just use for whatever.

The 'server' has 2x150GB. This computer has a 1.5TB used for the OS, Programs and personal files. It also has a 230GB for the photos.
 
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USAFRet

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Same result though. A couple of large (2-3-4TB) internal or external drives would seem to suffice for quite a while.
 
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Hmm, I guess - I think I'm just trying to justify getting an external bay. Seeing as you're recommending I go to a couple of drives instead then I'll do that.

Thanks, Chris. :wahoo:
 
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USAFRet

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A bay to hold 2-3-4 drives, or just a couple of external single drives. The singles are easier to transport.
 
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