[SOLVED] Need to buy some storage for backup. Would going external be the best option?

lecrash

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Feb 6, 2013
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As the title states, I need to buy storage to backup all my data. I currently lost a bunch of data on an old HHD (I still need to figure out how to fix it... it has clicking sounds so I might have to disassemble it). What would be a better solution, adding more internal HHD or getting a external one? Is there a way to do automatic backups on either of them (internal/external)?

This is my current build (except the GPU because I still can't find a 3070 anywhere)

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/fFj2Cz


What would you guys recommend?
 
Solution
As the title states, I need to buy storage to backup all my data. I currently lost a bunch of data on an old HHD (I still need to figure out how to fix it... it has clicking sounds so I might have to disassemble it). What would be a better solution, adding more internal HHD or getting a external one? Is there a way to do automatic backups on either of them (internal/external)?

This is my current build (except the GPU because I still can't find a 3070 anywhere)

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/fFj2Cz


What would you guys recommend?
Backups are best kept and more secure when on external disks and connected only when you backup or restore.
As for software, Macrium Reflect. https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree
Are you asking for a particular HDD brand/model that you think are safest? I'm not sure if that matters very much - the plan for backup is much more important.

Such as:
  • The backup drive should only be connected when you're performing backup (or verify integrity of backup or restoration).
  • In practice it means using a portable hdd.
 
As the title states, I need to buy storage to backup all my data. I currently lost a bunch of data on an old HHD (I still need to figure out how to fix it... it has clicking sounds so I might have to disassemble it). What would be a better solution, adding more internal HHD or getting a external one? Is there a way to do automatic backups on either of them (internal/external)?

This is my current build (except the GPU because I still can't find a 3070 anywhere)

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/fFj2Cz


What would you guys recommend?
Backups are best kept and more secure when on external disks and connected only when you backup or restore.
As for software, Macrium Reflect. https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree
 
Solution

lecrash

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Feb 6, 2013
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18,530
Are you asking for a particular HDD brand/model that you think are safest? I'm not sure if that matters very much - the plan for backup is much more important.

Such as:
  • The backup drive should only be connected when you're performing backup (or verify integrity of backup or restoration).
  • In practice it means using a portable hdd.

I was asking a particular brand/model, if it doesn't matter then I'll just buy brands that I know.

So, if drives should only be connected means external, any difference between portable and the big ones with a power adaptor?
 
I was asking a particular brand/model, if it doesn't matter then I'll just buy brands that I know.

So, if drives should only be connected means external, any difference between portable and the big ones with a power adaptor?
2.5" are usually slower than 3.5" drives but if connected using USB2 or 3 it wouldn't matter. Other types of connection like eSATA are faster. For pure backup it doesn't count for much,few minutes difference for full backup.
 

popatim

Titan
Moderator
2.5" are usually slower than 3.5" drives but if connected using USB2 or 3 it wouldn't matter.
USB3 is significantly faster then 2 so I'm not sure what angle you're referring to. I wouldn't use a usb2 port or drive unless I had to these days.

@lecrash I prefer to use Western Digital D10 drives. Inside the external is an enterprise class 7200rpm drive that is fast! Most other external drives have 5400rpm dries.
 

lecrash

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Feb 6, 2013
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18,530
Hey, sorry about going AWOL... I'm planning on buying my hard drive soon, but I have a question before. Would buying an internal HD that won't be inside the computer (for more memory for less money, and I have a external dock) be OK for this, or would it be too risky?
 
I've seen both Toshiba and WD external USB drives at 3 or 4 TB capacity for perhaps $50-$65...(Likely less on sale)

If you'd prefer to use an internal drive in a quality external 3.5" dock, that would be just as good.

I'd choose a WD 8 TB Red... (I chose that capacity to be certain no fiascos of CMR vs. SMR need be worried about...)