Using eSata drive as permanent third drive

[Whitizo]

Ok so im working with an ITX motherboard and Im using a 1tb hard drive and 120gb ssd. I only have 2 SATA ports and I want to get a second SSD.
I've considered going away with the hard drive but I just need all the storage and a 500-1tb SSD is way too much money.

So my question is, is it possible to get a cable to plug an internal drive into the external eSata port on my motherboard and leave it plugged in and running all the time. I would have my two 120gb SSD's plugged into the SATA 3 ports and the hard drive in the external port. With success I would then just cut out a spot on the back of my case to send the cable in and leave the hard drive inside the PC with the cable coming in from the external spot.

 

[USAFRet]

500GB = way too much money?
$85?
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-NAND-500GB-SSD-WDS500G2B0A/dp/B073SBZ8YH
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0781Z7Y3S

 

[Whitizo]

500GB = way too much money?
$85?
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-NAND-500GB-SSD-WDS500G2B0A/dp/B073SBZ8YH
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0781Z7Y3S

I dont feel like investing 75 euro or so for it especially when im broke atm. id much rather spend 30 on a 120gb ssd seen as I only really wanna store 2 more games on an ssd. But yea i agree SSD's are very cheap

 

[USAFRet]

Instead of cutting holes in the case, why not just get a regular USB drive.

 

[punkncat]

Personally would look to get a SATA card if you have a slot to install it on. I would guess that with m-ITX, no with video card there.

For awareness sake...if you chose to go with an external drive, get something with a fan. Full time use on "portable" drives most often fries them from heat.
I personally feel like your best bet might be a single larger HDD. 2-3TB drives can be found crazy cheap, and even saw a 500G SSD on sale on Newegg sub $60.
Aside from that, consider a NAS enclosure or a dock with a fan.

 

[jsmithepa]

To your original Q, ya, can do eSata is u have a slot for the controller, unless ur Mobo already has eSata port.

 

[Whitizo]

To your original Q, ya, can do eSata is u have a slot for the controller, unless ur Mobo already has eSata port.

Gonna go ahead and buy a 240gb ssd and just run my pc with 2 ssds and be cautious about my storage