Will I notice a difference in using USB 3 instead of USB 2 for my 2.5" sata hdd?

[Fozzy786]

Hi guys,

I have a spare 2.5" HDD which I took out of a laptop and I am looking at using it as an external drive.

It is a Toshiba MK1665GSX, 160GB, 5200RPM, SATA 2 HDD.

Full Specs: http://www.cnet.com/products/toshiba-mk1665gsx-hard-drive-160-gb-sata-300-series/specs/

What I wanted to know was, would it be worth me buying a USB 3.0 enclosure over a standard 2.0 enclosure and would I get a noticeable increase in transfer rates?

I have found 3 enclosures on Ebay.

USB 2.0 is for £3.75: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JUSTOP-2-5-SATA-To-USB-2-0-Hard-Drive-HDD-Enclosure-Caddy-Aluminum-Slim-Casing-/191186286124?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item2c8397362c

USB 3.0 one is for £5.49: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/External-2-5-SATA-to-USB-3-0-Hard-Drive-Caddy-HDD-Enclosure-Laptop-Drive-Black-/191097628497?pt=UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosures_RL&hash=item2c7e4e6751

And another USB 3.0 for £6.29 but with a different connector for the HDD which I'm not sure if it will make a difference?: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-5-inch-External-HDD-Hard-Disk-Drive-Enclosure-Case-Caddy-SATA-USB-3-0-XP-Win7-/301004512578?pt=UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosures_RL&hash=item4615445d42

Which would be best out of those 3? I'm leaning towards the third enclosure but the different USB header is throwing me off a little bit.

Should I get that or would the HDD itself be holding back the transfer speeds regardless of the USB connection I use?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, Fozzy786!

You will definitely notice a big difference between USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 enclosure.
The maximum theoretical transfer speed of the USB 2.0 is only 60 Mb/sec, which in practice is not more than 40Mb/sec.
This will limit the transfer rate of your drive.
USB 3.0 is 10 times faster than USB 2.0, which will give your HDD the opportunity to perform with its full potential.
It is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices, so it seems to me there are only pros to the USB 3.0 enclosure.
I'd go with it for sure.

Hope this helps.
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Fozzy786]

I was thinking that too but wasnt sure if the RPM of my specific hard drive would bottle neck it?

Also, does the difference in USB connectors make a difference as shown in the 2 USB 3.0 links which I posted?

 

[Fozzy786]

Ive just gone ahead and purchased the usb 3.0. Thanks for your help!

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

I was thinking that too but wasnt sure if the RPM of my specific hard drive would bottle neck it?

Also, does the difference in USB connectors make a difference as shown in the 2 USB 3.0 links which I posted?

The connectors won't make a difference for the speed of the USB 3.0.
It's just a different interface for the enclosure itself. Don't worry about it!
I'm glad I was able to help out though!
Best of luck with your new external!
SuperSoph_WD