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Thread: External storage solutions

  1. #1
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    External storage solutions

    I was wondering if there is a popular solution right now for external storage. I don't really need something ultra compact (i.e. I don't need a laptop HD), nor something with good performance (I will go with internal for that).

    What I do need however need is reliability and good GB/£.

    I received a recommendation for one of those: http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=62833

    Looks good to me. What is the difference between getting something like that, and getting an internal HD and slotting it in a caddy? And is there any difference between LaCie and other brands?

    Cheers.

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    Internal HD's sliding into a caddy has three main advantages:
    1. Should a disk fill up you only have to buy a new disk.
    2. cheaper disks after you buy the caddy.
    3. faster disk i/o since its a direct interface link, no usb bandwidth limitations or latency.
    Also some SATA based caddies are hotswappable, but that isn't a point up on externals.

    Externals are handy for portability between computers. Caddies of course are much less portable (the purpose of a caddy is quick insertion and removal of disks for a target machine).
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

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    Thanks. What about using an internal HD in an external enclosure (e.g. an Icy Box)?

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    Good idea as long as you dont A) use firewire (corruption issues) and B) don't mind annoying fans (only in some I might add).

    The Caddies are probably the best option short of a NAS box tbh.

    Dave

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    NAS Box? What are those?

    I am not too sure I understand how caddie works. Are those mounted on a 5.25" bay? How do you store the hard disks then? And how do you install them (can this be done without opening the case etc.)?

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    • aidanjt's system
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    the caddy itself is installed in a 5.25" slot, inside the caddy is a tray which you can remove, drop a hard drive into it, and insert it into the caddy.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

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    Thats nice. I take it no hot swapping though right?

    Can the tray be remove externally?

    And how best to store the HD not in used? Would be nice if you can get a HD rack or something hehe.

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    • aidanjt's system
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    yea, there's usually a locking mechanism for the caddy, unlocked the tray slides out the front of the caddy.. hot swappable support depends on the controller the caddy is attached to, typically hotswappable IDE controllers is something of a rarity.. I belive SATA controllers support it a bit more widely.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

  9. #9
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    Thanks. Thats two down. All I need to know now is...

    1) Whats a good caddy.

    2) Once more, how do I store the HD I am not using? I guess this is where external HD has an edge since they already have an enclosure.

    Edit: And I guess this will take out my final 5.25" bay. I take it that they don't come in 3.5" form do they?

  10. #10
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    • aidanjt's system
      • Motherboard:
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      • CPU:
      • Intel i7-8700K
      • Memory:
      • 2x8GB Corsiar LPX 3000C15
      • Storage:
      • 500GB Samsung 960 EVO
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0
      • PSU:
      • EVGA G3 750W
      • Case:
      • Fractal Design Define C Mini
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus MG279Q
      • Internet:
      • 240mbps Virgin Cable
    1) take your pick
    2) i just store HD's in the anti-static bag it came in somewhere it wont get knocked about. I have an anchient 20Gb IDE disk still working fine in this way of 'storage'.
    3) havn't seen a 3.5" caddy, there's just no room.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

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