External hard drive questions?

Jeffsta · May 30, 2015

I'm putting a new SSD drive in my new build for OS/Programs/Games.

While I could fit my secondary internal drive from old rig into my new HTPC case, it has all of my important/sensitive information on it, plus 140 GB worth of family movies. I like the idea of just plugging external drive in when needed (Not very often), and keep it locked up the rest of the time.

I'm concerned whether external drive will be as fast/efficient for media viewing/video editing. I would like to be able to edit/burn movies from it.

Will external drive work as fast/efficient as my internal Sata HDD drive?

USAFRet · May 30, 2015

No, an external is not 'as fast', because you're pushing the data through the USB interface.

madmatt30 · May 30, 2015

Nowhere near as fast as internal sata mate.

For the uses you mentioned above though it doesn't really matter - its plenty fast enough for media use ,including editing / burning from.

HEXiT · May 30, 2015

depends on what interface your using. e-sata, if your motherboard has it, is just as fast as sata. but yeah most externals are usb and are by there nature slower.

ArtPog · May 30, 2015

There's no reason why you can't have your cake & eat it too...

After you've purchased & installed your SSD, internally install in the system your secondary HDD that contains "all of my important/sensitive information on it, plus 140 GB worth of family movies." Then use a disk-cloning program to clone the ENTIRE CONTENTS of your system, i.e., both the data contents on the SSD + the contents of your secondary HDD, to a USB external HDD that you can easily multi-partition to maintain/segregate the data on your SSD + the secondary HDD.

Do this and you will thus have a comprehensive backup of your ENTIRE system. So that in the event of this or that drive becoming defective or failing or your OS becomes corrupt from one reason or another, you will have the means to totally restore your ENTIRE system to a bootable, functional state and do so relatively easily & quickly. And from time to time re:clone the contents of your system to maintain a reasonably up-to-date backup of your ENTIRE system.

By so doing, you will avoid the kind of plaintive pleas we see every day from posters to Tom's Forums moaning about their precious lost data and how they can recover same.

Jeffsta · May 30, 2015

madmatt30 :

Sounds good. Is it okay to temporarily hook up old HDD drive outside of case?

Is a simple drag and drop files from old HDD drive to new external drive good. Or is there a more efficient/better way to transfer files?

Thanks

USAFRet · May 30, 2015

Jeffsta :

1. Yes.
2. Drag n drop is fine.

You do need to look at some backup situation, though.

Jeffsta · May 30, 2015

ArtPog :

I would do it that way, but I live in a city with one of the highest crime rates. If computer is stolen, I don't want robber having all my info. I'd rather it be locked away safely, then just pull it out and plug it in when needed.

Maybe I could get 2 external drives;

1st one to back up OS/Program Files/Games

2nd one for files on my old HDD

Then lock up old HDD with 2nd external drive (In case either fails)

ArtPog · May 30, 2015

Jeffsta :

If safety against theft is one of your primary concerns, would it not be a simple matter to just remove the USBEHD containing the cloned contents of your entire system and move it to another secure location?

If you purchase a USB enclosure you could use your cloned destination drive as a portable device - installing the drive during the cloning operation & simply removing it from the USB device following the operation. So all you would be dealing with is the "raw' drive itself. And for a multiple layer of added security (should you think it necessary), purchase another HDD to serve as an additional destination disk for the cloned contents of your system

Jeffsta · May 30, 2015

ArtPog :

I've never heard of a USB enclosure until you mentioned it. I only budget build a computer once every 5 years, so I'm unfamiliar with all the stuff out there. It sounds like a USB enclosure would be perfect for my situation. Could you point me to a good one? or what brands/things to look for in one?

Thanks

ArtPog · May 30, 2015

There are a multitude of USB external enclosures of various types available. Right now, as an example, we're using the Orico 6518US3 model. See...
http://www.amazon.com/ORICO-6518US3-Super-Docking-Station/dp/B00CBPB4PM
Newegg also carries this model. And there are many others to choose from.

Another type is the so-called "docking station", see for example - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=blacx&N=-1&isNodeId=1

And it's child's play to install and/or reinstall a HDD in & out of a USB external enclosure - whatever the type.

You can do a search on Newegg's site to peruse the various USB enclosures available.

I should mention that many users employ a SATA-to-USB adapter device for connecting a SATA HDD or SSD to a USB port. Here's one example...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232027&cm_re=SATA_to_USB_adapter-_-12-232-027-_-Product
Although I'm aware of many users who are satisfied with this type of device frankly, we are not. By & large our experience with these type of devices has been quite negative - we've found them to be defective or erratic in operation. We just don't use them any more. I would not advise you to purchase one of these types.

Naturally you'll look for a USB enclosure that has USB 3.0 capability. Also my preference is to have the power switch on the front (or top) of the unit rather than at the back side of the unit.

Jeffsta · May 31, 2015

ArtPog :

I'm looking at these three (best rated)

Orico 6518US3 model you're using. ($24.99) Link

and the so-called "docking stations" you mention/provided link for;

Thermaltake BlacX N0028USU ($26.99 + 15% off) Link

Thermaltake BlacX ST0005U ($35.99) Link

If price wasn't an issue (as they're close in price), which would you pick? (Best one)

I will start another thread when I have item (and ready to clone/backup system).

Thanks so much

ArtPog · May 31, 2015

Do you remember what I advised you about when selecting a USB external enclosure? Look for USB 3.0 capability. Both of those docking stations are only USB 2.0 capable? And do you really need eSATA capability that one of them contains?

There are plenty of available "docking stations" that have USB 3.0 capability. Just peruse the Newegg offerings and determine which, if any, appeal to you. Read the user reviews.

As I previously mentioned we're generally satisfied with the Orico model. It's reasonably compact and performs effectively. My only (minor) gripe about this device is that the power button is recessed, not raised. I would much prefer the latter configuration since it makes it easier to power-on-off the unit.

Jeffsta · May 31, 2015

ArtPog :

I selected those 2 docking stations from the link you posted earlier. I realize now it was just to give me a general idea of a docking station, or I would have checked to make sure it was USB 3.0 (My bad for not paying attention).

Since you have no major issues with the Orico 6518US3, I think I will go that route. It looks like a simple piece of hardware, and will do exactly what I need.

Thanks for all your time. You saved me a bunch of money, and I will end up with a better setup. I can't tell you how many times I've come on here with a plan, only to find out my plan was wrong. Thankfully there are people like you and others on here to help us noobs out.

Thanks again.

ArtPog · May 31, 2015

One final thought...
One of the significant advantages of having a USB enclosure is that you can use the device to contain multiple drives at different times to contain your backed-up & storage data. Since you've indicated your system contains precious data of one sort or another you will be able to easily make multiple backups of that data for added safekeeping. As I'm sure you're aware the cost of large-capacity HDDs today is relatively low so hopefully you will be able to afford multiple HDDs for your backup requirements. Good luck.

Jeffsta · May 31, 2015

ArtPog :

This is exactly what I liked about your idea. Had I heard of a USB enclosure prior to this thread, I would have planned on that right from the get go.

I will buy 2 HDD's (Giving me a total of 3) when purchasing that enclosure. Like you say, HDD's are pretty cheap now-a-days.

Once I have the USB enclosure and additional HDD's, I can back up my system and old HDD.

Thanks again

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