Is it worth getting an internal HDD if I have a USB 3.0 external already?

[shiiip]

Hey, I have a 2TB external hard drive which connects by USB 3.0 (The Motherboard I'll be using for my PC has usb 3.0 dw), will there be any noticeable difference to a regular internal HDD for daily use?

Was thinking of getting a western digital caviar blue 1TB but if I can use my external HDD without any worries then I won't be wasting my money.

Thanks!

 

[viewtyjoe]

It adds a bit more overhead at the very least. I haven't run benchmarks or anything, but my experience has been that in most cases external hard drives perform somewhat slower than internal hard drives. If you have more tolerance for data transfer taking longer, I don't see why you couldn't use it for your bulk storage. As long as you still have an internal OS drive, you should be fine.

 

[shiiip]

It adds a bit more overhead at the very least. I haven't run benchmarks or anything, but my experience has been that in most cases external hard drives perform somewhat slower than internal hard drives. If you have more tolerance for data transfer taking longer, I don't see why you couldn't use it for your bulk storage. As long as you still have an internal OS drive, you should be fine.

I currently have a 250GB samsung 950 EVO SSD as a main drive.

I've looked around for answers but haven't found anything clear cut - What is the difference in speed between usb 3.0 and SATA 3?

 

[USAFRet]

USB 3.0 - 5 Gbit/s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0
SATA III - 6 Gbit/s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA#SATA_revision_3.0_.286_Gbit.2Fs.2C_600_MB.2Fs.29

Not a huge speed difference.
But, an external has a greater possibility of being dropped.

 

[shiiip]

USB 3.0 - 5 Gbit/s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0
SATA III - 6 Gbit/s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA#SATA_revision_3.0_.286_Gbit.2Fs.2C_600_MB.2Fs.29

Not a huge speed difference.
But, an external has a greater possibility of being dropped.

hmm ok. I'll probably just have it sitting next to my PC plugged into one of the USB ports on the motherboard, so I probably won't end up putting it in a position where I might drop it

 

[USAFRet]

USB 3.0 - 5 Gbit/s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0
SATA III - 6 Gbit/s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA#SATA_revision_3.0_.286_Gbit.2Fs.2C_600_MB.2Fs.29

Not a huge speed difference.
But, an external has a greater possibility of being dropped.

hmm ok. I'll probably just have it sitting next to my PC plugged into one of the USB ports on the motherboard, so I probably won't end up putting it in a position where I might drop it

Famous last words... 😉

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

While there is more interface overhead with the USB 3 drive, you're likely close enough to the mechanical throughput of the drive that switching to an internal device is likely to yield nothing in those terms. Unless you have an actual need for the switch, it boils down to your personal preference. Also, if you're mechanically inclined, it's possible to remove your current drive from it's enclosure and convert it to an internal drive.

USAFRet makes a very good point about dropping the drive. I had to explain to somebody just the other day when I saw them shuffling around their external drive while it was in use about the risk involved. I suspect average users just don't think about or realize the risk of damage and loss from moving these things while running.

 

[shiiip]

Hmm, thanks for all the answers everyone.

I think what I'll be doing is getting a 1TB internal Hard Drive, and then using the external drive I have already to use for backups.