Question How to add another 3.5 hard disk ?

[smalltech]

If the PC case only supports 1 x 3.5inch hard disk and I want to add another 3.5inch hard disk, how can I do it?

I saw some PCI bracket to hold 3.5inch hard disk, does it work?

Thanks

https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Holder-Mounting-Bracket-Adapter/dp/B0BZ1D7CN2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=D5JY4AJAVUYP&keywords=pci+3.5+hdd+bracket&qid=1708238755&sprefix=pci+3.5+hdd+bracket,aps,444&sr=8-4

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225692944881

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pci+3.5+hdd+bracket&crid=D5JY4AJAVUYP&sprefix=pci+3.5+hdd+bracket,aps,444&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 

[Crowii]

I saw some PCI bracket to hold 3.5inch hard disk, does it work?

Assuming there's space for it in the case, sure. If your PSU isn't modular, I'd check if you've got enough reach for both your existing HDD and the one you plan on adding in front of the motherboard.

Actually mentioning what case you have is required to say and recommend anything concrete.

 

[smalltech]

Assuming there's space for it in the case, sure. If your PSU isn't modular, I'd check if you've got enough reach both your existing HDD and the one you plan on adding in front of the motherboard.

Actually mentioning what case you have is required to say and recommend anything concrete.

neotez deus case https://www.ecytech.com.my/product-page/neotez-deus

PRIME B550M-A (WI-FI) https://www.asus.com/motherboards-components/motherboards/prime/prime-b550m-a-wi-fi/

corsair rm650 psu

Looking for a new pc, I do not have them yet, I will install 1 3.5inch hdd which is enough for now, but I am analysing how to install another one in the future.

 

[Crowii]

neotez deus case https://www.ecytech.com.my/product-page/neotez-deus

Given it's an mATX and not an ATX or larger case, I'd be concerned with GPU clearance using one of those PCI brackets.

Pictures of under the PSU shroud/back of the case is really scarce, just the mentions of 4 extra 2.5" bays.

Assuming these are above/below the 3.5" bay, the same width as a 3.5" bay but with 2.5" mounting on the trays, not all just flat mounting points behind the motherboard, and not super proprietary - then you might be able to fit another 3.5" HDD in there somehow, likely with an obscure adapter.

Something like this also exists, a 2.5"/3.5" to 120x120mm adapter, which should be able to be mounted to a spot for 120mm fans at the top of your case. I have never used these, I have no idea how well it does or doesn't work.

Of course the simplest solutions here are:

• Get a case that actually fits your needs
• Get (generally less reliable) 2.5" HDD's
• Shell out for SSD's (possibly to reuse on your next PC build)

 

[smalltech]

Assuming my C: is a SSD and I have 1GB of data on C: to transfer to A or B, how much slower is A?

A. 3.5 inch hard disk into an external docking station or an external 3.5 inch enclosure case and connect to my PC via a USB3.0 cable

B. 3.5 inch hard disk is inside PC case connected to motherboard.

 

[SkyNetRising]

If the PC case only support 1 3.5inch hard disk and I want to add another 3.5inch hard disk, how can I do it?

Get a new pc case, that supports required number of 3.5"HDDs.

Assuming my C: is a SSD and I have 1GB of data on C: to transfer to A or B, how much slower is A?
A. 3.5 inch hard disk into an external docking station or an external 3.5 inch enclosure case and connect to my PC via a USB3.0 cable
B. 3.5 inch hard disk is inside PC case connected to motherboard.

Data transfer speed will be limited by capabilities of HDD (depends on model and age of HDD). Probably ~ 100-150 MB/s.
Since USB 3.0 connection generally provides more bandwidth than a mechanical HDD can achieve,
then speed will be the same/very similar.
So for 1GB of data transfer 7-10s.

 

[Lafong]

Here's some info I've got from my own tests on my own drives.

The WD Green is a relatively slow HDD.

I've done a lot of tests like this, but never from internal SSD to external HDD in a dock.

825 GB copied from internal Intel 660p NVMe SSD to internal WD Green 3 TB via drag and drop; 93651 files on source; 175 minutes; this is 283 gigs per hour; average file size 8.8 mb, covering a very wide variety of sizes.

Internal Intel 660p NVMe to internal spinner is typically 275 to 350 gb per hour.

Copying from the internal WD Green 3 TB to an internal SSD is circa 300 to 330 gb per hour minimum.

I can tell you that my tests of copying from an internal SSD to an external NVMe (WD SN 550) in an enclosure have been in the range of 800 to 1300 GB per hour......depending on which USB port was used and the average file size. The 1300 GB per hour rate was for a single file....a big Macrium image of my C partition.

 

[smalltech]

My pc case supports
3.5" HDD x 1
2.5" HDD x 4

I will install one existing 3.5"HDD in the rack supplied by the PC case.
In the future, I guess if I am unable to mount a second existing 3.5" hard disk to PCI bracket or unable to mount to a spot for 120mm fans at the top of my case, I will put the 3.5" into an external docking station or an external 3.5 inch enclosure case then transfer all the data to an internal 2.5" HDD.