Internal versus External as 2nd HDD for Gaming Desktop

[zzmurray]

Had problems when I installed a newer cpu with messing up the A channel memory slots, so I am installing a new motherboard. I want to add an additional 2TB HDD, but I am wondering is it better and/or easier to use an external usb HDD with it's own power supply or installing an internal HDD. What are the benefits of choosing one over the other?

AND should I get the same type I already have if it is internal? Or same brand if external?

Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card
NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case
Raidmax 850W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Netgear WNA3100-100ENS 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter
AOC e2752Vh 60Hz 27.0" Monitor
BenQ RL2455HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor

 

[clutchc]

Internal always. No external apparatus to deal with. And SATA is faster than USB. Plus, Win may not let you install games to an external drive. But I'm not sure about that. Never tried it.

 

[ArtPog]

There's really no connection between the fact that you're installing a new motherboard and the fact that you've decided to install an additional (secondary?) HDD in the system, is there?

I ask the question because if there IS a connection in the sense that you're ESPECIALLY concerned with the safety of your data (presuming you plan to use the second HDD as a backup storage device), then you might be well-advised to install that HDD as a USB device in a USB external HDD enclosure. Obviously you could then disconnect the drive from the system at your option which would afford this extra measure of safety/security.

On the other hand if this is not your prime objective you could obviously connect that second drive internally and be done with it.

Another option (one that I generally lean to) is to install a mobile rack in one of your vacant 5 1/4" bays to house a REMOVABLE HDD. Then you get the best of both worlds. I don't know if you're familiar with that type of hardware configuration for a HDD but if you're interested I can provide further details on the subject.

BUT WHAT I REALLY WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER GIVEN THAT BEAUTIFUL TOP-OF-THE-LINE SYSTEM YOU NOW HAVE IS TO INSTALL AN SSD (having as large a disk-space capacity that you could afford) IN YOUR SYSTEM.

Frankly, and you'll forgive me for saying so, with your system it's practically criminal not installing a SSD as your boot drive.

 

[zzmurray]

My son has almost run out of space on the HDD, so we figured if we were to need to install a new motherboard this would be a good time to do it all. And the 2nd HDD is just to install games on. It turns out we do not need to replace the motherboard. We were able to get both memory sticks to work in the B channels together. Asrock told us we could replace it it but we were 3 weeks out of warranty and so it would cost us plus we would have to do without a computer for awhile until they repaired it and we can't do that at this time. But we still are getting an additional HDD. Thank you all for your advice.