External HDDs and Hot Swap Docks

[IvoryWolf]

So recently my TB HDD filled up halfway, with another 30% likely to follow soon (trying to leave the last twenty percent empty). So I decided to get a new HDD (already have an SSD for OS/essentials).

Now I'm not actually sure I have anymore SATA power cords left, but for now lets assume I do. I also have a hot swap dock (HSD) on the top of my case. Now here's my question; I heard that external HDDs have much lower transfer rates than internal. Is this the case if you use a HSD? Even if the dock is connected via SATA?

Also while I'm at it are there any other cons to External HDDs? Main reason I'm considering one is because I have a Laptop and Desktop (college and gaming respectively), and would like access to some things on both. At this point I could actually get both an external and internal (super cheap nowadays), but I'd like to know more about externals before buying.

 

[RCguitarist]

External drive connect via usb, so it will be slower than an internal drive's sata connection. But for use as a backup device, the usb 3.0 external drives move data pretty fast. But I wouldn't use one as a drive that I run games off of.

 

[geofelt]

The convenient attachment for a Hard drive is via USB.
Usb3.0 will be faster than usb2.0 when doing sequential data transfers. Probably not much difference for random I/o.

A problem with hot swap or e-sata is that not all your pc's will have those capabilities. Particularly laptops.

I think a portable usb3.0 hard drive/enclosure will end up being the most convenient solution.

If that external drive is a conventional 3.5" drive, you will need a power brick for it.
You can use 2.5" drives with a sata to twin usb adapter, but the 2.5" drives will be slower.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

Regarding data access speeds

Esata (external sata port) hard drives are as fast as internal sata drives

USB 3.0 drives are a somewhat slower than internal sata drives
USB 2.0 hard drives are a lot slower

If the hot swap dock built into case is esata then there is no difference to internal

There is practically no difference in transfer rate between sata II & III
For ordinary hard disks. As the transfer rate across the interface is faster than data can be read continuously from a hard disk surface

If buying a external tray go for a esata + USB 3.0

Look at manufacturers warrantee time on hard disks 1, 2, 3 or 5 years
Worth paying a little more for a longer period

Are you after 2.5" or 3.5" hard disks
Connectors are the same but external 3.5" drives will need a seperate psu to provide 12V + 5V while most 2.5" drives can run on 5V from USB port

Regards
Mike Barnes
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