Tom's Hardware > Forum > Storage > Hard Disks > ESATA/SATA drives dilemma in external case.

ESATA/SATA drives dilemma in external case.

Forum Storage : Hard Disks - ESATA/SATA drives dilemma in external case.

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clifton10   07-16-2009 at 04:56:31 AM

I have read in different places that eSATA hard drives must be used in external enclosures, and that SATA drives should not be used in said enclosures if you expect to hot swap the drive. Is there any truth to this? Also, is there any physical difference between the two types of supposed drives?

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Bronze Storage badge r_manic   07-20-2009 at 10:00:03 AM
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Well, eSATA is designed to be the "external" equivalent of internal SATA—there are no significant physical differences. Ideally, any SATA drive should be hot swappable. The reality of course is different, and depends on what drive and motherboard you're using.

If you want to use an external drive while enjoying the relative speed of eSATA, make sure you get a hard disk clearly featuring support for eSATA. Hope this helps!

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hardwaretechy   07-20-2009 at 08:30:15 PM
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Also make sure you have an eSATA connector from the motherboard, and an eSATA cable -- the ends ARE different than regular SATA. I'm not sure why they did it this way but they did.

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