Question How do i know if my hard drive is 3.5 or 2.5

[yyoussef101]

Hey, i have two hard drives, 1 is installed on the pc the other is not, how do I know if they are 2.5 or 3.5?

I think things will be easy with the installed one, but how about the other one, is there a way that I can know without installing it, is there anything written on it that can tell me if it's 2.5 or 3.5?

Thanks!

 

[NightHawkRMX]

The physical size will let you know if it is 2.5in or 3.5in. Additionally, you can google the model number given in software if you cannot see the drive.

Desktops typically use 3.5in hard drives, laptops use 2.5in and cannot fit 3.5in hard drives.

Left is 3.5in, right is 2.5in.

 

[bignastyid]

The size difference between a 2.5" and 3.5" drive should be quite visually apparent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_disk_drive_form_factors

 

[yyoussef101]

and for the installed one, is there a software that can tell me if it's 3.5 or 2.5?

 

[bignastyid]

and for the installed one, is there a software that can tell me if it's 3.5 or 2.5?

Is it in a laptop or desktop?

 

[USAFRet]

and for the installed one, is there a software that can tell me if it's 3.5 or 2.5?

CrystalDiskInfo, and the part number.
Make and model, which will lead to 'size'.

What is this installed in?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

CrystalDiskInfo – Crystal Dew World (crystalmark.info)
Run crystal disk info.

It will show your drive model number. Google this number and it will tell you what size it is.

 

[yyoussef101]

Is it in a laptop or desktop?

desktop

 

[yyoussef101]

CrystalDiskInfo, and the part number.
Make and model, which will lead to 'size'.

What is this installed in?

HHD

 

[USAFRet]

HHD

"HHD" tells us nothing.

Run the above mentioned CrystalDiskInfo.

Post a screencap of it here.
(upload your pic to imgur.com, and post the link here)

Or, just pictures of the drives in question would clear this up quite quickly.

 

[yyoussef101]

"HHD" tells us nothing.

Run the above mentioned CrystalDiskInfo.

Post a screencap of it here.
(upload your pic to imgur.com, and post the link here)

Or, just pictures of the drives in question would clear this up quite quickly.

"What is this installed in?" a hdd that's installed on a pc.

 

[bignastyid]

desktop

Likely a 3.5" drive.

In device manager under disk drive it will usually show the make and model, you can then search that to get the specs.

You could likely also just pop open a side panel and look at the drive to see it's physical size.

 

[yyoussef101]

"ST3250310AS" seems a 3.5?

 

[USAFRet]

"What is this installed in?" a hdd that's installed on a pc.

I meant, desktop or laptop.

Now that we know it is a 'desktop' (I think...)...it is probably a 3.5" drive.

But, the specific model number, or a pic of it, will tell the tale.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Yes, it is a 3.5in hdd.

 

[USAFRet]

"ST3250310AS" seems a 3.5?

250GB Seagate HDD, 3.5"
https://www.hdsentinel.com/storageinfo_details.php?lang=en&model=SEAGATE ST3250310AS

 

[yyoussef101]

thanks all, just last one will a cable that supports 2.5 work on a 3.5 hdd?

 

[USAFRet]

thanks all, just last one will a cable that supports 2.5 work on a 3.5 hdd?

Yes.
SATA connections are the same. Both power and data.

 

[yyoussef101]

Yes.
SATA connections are the same. Both power and data.

oh really? I wanted to buy a SATA to usb cable , but the seller says it doesn't support a 3.5 hdd, should I just ignore that?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

3.5in hard drives use the same cables if being hooked up internally.

A usb port can't provide enough power needed for a 3.5in hard drive.

Why would you want to use a USB adapter anyhow.

 

[USAFRet]

oh really? I wanted to buy a SATA to usb cable , but the seller says it doesn't support a 3.5 hdd, should I just ignore that?

Connecting internally in the PC, they are the same.

Connecting via USB is different.
For a 3.5" drive, you need a powered dock or cable.

Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Docking-Station-Support/dp/B0099TX7O4


What, exactly, are you going to do with this drive?
If we know, we can suggest the proper cables or connections.

 

[yyoussef101]

i have another HDD so i simply want to use it externally

 

[USAFRet]

i have another HDD so i simply want to use it externally

So something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Lay-Flat-Docking-EC-DFLT/dp/B00LS5NFQ2

 

[yyoussef101]

How About this?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...7#7562#476_668#3164#9976#3_668#3468#15614#503

 

[USAFRet]

How About this?

Except for very temporary use, I wouldn't.
A bare drive sitting on a desk is an accident waiting to happen.