View Full Version : Hard drive recommendations, please
May I ask for your recommendations for an external hard-drive on which I can back-up my files? I've NEVER backed-up files before... and I'm running Windows XP.
primal
21-02-2007, 10:06 AM
May I ask for your recommendations for an external hard-drive on which I can back-up my files? I've NEVER backed-up files before... and I'm running Windows XP.
get a maxtor 200gb or whatever is best bang for your buck. they have a pretty simple piece of software that once setup you can just hit the button on the front and it backs up your data :)
or so i am led to beleive.
i prefer my dat 4 drive and a copy of backup exec ;)
Archangel
21-02-2007, 10:15 AM
To my knowledge there's not really much difference between brands.
The only real difference between any of them are that there are the big ("3.5 inch") and small ("2.5 inch") drives. The 2.5" ones are (obviously) smaller and lighter, and generally don't need a power supply; the 3.5" ones do. But the 2.5" ones have less capacity and are pricier.
Depends what you need to do with it really; if you're going to want to carry it with you frequently, I'd go a 2.5" one; if it's just going to sit at home and you need the capacity, a 3.5" one would be cheaper.
Any of them will pop up as a 'removable drive' when you plug them in, same as a USB key., then you copy files onto it. It's pretty straightforward.
i prefer my dat 4 drive and a copy of backup exec ;)
ergh.... :-P
primal
21-02-2007, 10:38 AM
ergh.... :-P
linux lover :P
Thanks for the advice, fellas. Seems fairly straight forward from your descriptions. Would there be any reason NOT to buy a Buffalo 320MB HDD from my local electrical mega store? (They didn't have any Maxtor products). But they did have scantily-clad young ladies selling Yahoo BB at the entrance... Brrrrrr.....
Pat Mole
21-02-2007, 02:11 PM
Thanks for the advice, fellas. Seems fairly straight forward from your descriptions. Would there be any reason NOT to buy a Buffalo 320MB HDD from my local electrical mega store? (They didn't have any Maxtor products). But they did have scantily-clad young ladies selling Yahoo BB at the entrance... Brrrrrr.....
The first would be that its 320MB
The first would be that its 320MB
Thankyou for directing my intention to the anamoly... 320GB.
Pat Mole
21-02-2007, 03:56 PM
heh.
is this the sort of thing you were refering to?
http://uk.shopping.com/xPO-Buffalo-Technology-300GB-USB-Sata-2-0-HD
That will probably do all you need.
Also keep in mind that if you want to use it for backing up data, it is probably a good idea to:
1. not leave it plugged into you computer.
2. not store it near your computer.
ninevalleys
21-02-2007, 05:32 PM
for best value for money dont get one of those ready made store ones... you WAY to much. i just bought a 320Gb 16mb cache Seagate 7200.10Rpm. PLUS a Coolermaster X-craft external case for $200AUS (as a package) it was VERY easy to put together (includes detailed instructions). and also has specific software that makes life pretty easy. yoru best bet would be to go onto Ebay and have a look there. there are heaps of them for fairly great prices.
cheers NV
Pat Mole
21-02-2007, 05:45 PM
i really must advise against buying a harddrive from ebay. the only reason i would do that is to try and retrieve someones sensitive data. :P
ninevalleys
21-02-2007, 07:06 PM
lol, pat i mean buy a NEW hard drive from ebay, there are plenty of wholesalers who sell stock on there, especially computer wholesalers.
is this the sort of thing you were refering to?
http://uk.shopping.com/xPO-Buffalo-Technology-300GB-USB-Sata-2-0-HD
Yes, Pat, that be the critter in question. Do I need to research HDDs to get the best performer? Are there any lurks or perks? Will they make a cappucino? Thanks for the advice.
NV, sounds good.
Ant
ninevalleys
21-02-2007, 07:55 PM
when it comes to harddrives make sure to actually have a look at whats inside, some people just look at the case and think it will do the job. i personally am a fan of teh Seagate Barracuda series HD's, all of which are 7200.9 or 7200.10 Rpm's also have a look at the Cache of the HD. 8mb cache is kinda standard and does the job very well, but for those large pictures (and i mean large) or stuff like massive program files teh 16mb Cache (becoming the new standard) is certainly the way to go. if you want to be very picky you could always find out what HD you already have in yoru computer and match it with an external... this is only good if you plan to completely backup/ mirror your systam onto it.
NV
Archangel
22-02-2007, 06:42 AM
Yes, Pat, that be the critter in question. Do I need to research HDDs to get the best performer?
Nah, not really for an external drive. Won't make much difference.
Are there any lurks or perks?
Nope.
Will they make a cappucino?
Sorry, no.
NV: Cache and rotation speeds don't really matter for an external backup drive, as long as it's a vaguely decent drive it'll work fine. Don't overcomplicate it...
Don't overcomplicate it...
Thanks again... that's what I wanted to hear!
Cheers, blokes.
ninevalleys
22-02-2007, 09:16 AM
archy once again we disagree, maybe you dont care what you purchase in a external HD. but he asked for value for money, by all means go out and buy one straight off a store shelf... but you will be getting ripped off. paying $1.20 per gig compared to $0.80 a gig, may not sound like much but multiply it by 320. as i said value for money... you might as well get higher cache if you can, as well as higher Rpm's especially for $0.80 a gig
NV
shannonhearse
22-02-2007, 09:29 AM
archy once again we disagree, maybe you dont care what you purchase in a external HD. but he asked for value for money, by all means go out and buy one straight off a store shelf... but you will be getting ripped off. paying $1.20 per gig compared to $0.80 a gig, may not sound like much but multiply it by 320. as i said value for money... you might as well get higher cache if you can, as well as higher Rpm's especially for $0.80 a gig
NV
If its an external hard drive, then you are obviously moving the data across USB 2.0 at best.
That is the bottle neck. No amount of hard drive speed (cache / rpm) is going to help solve that one.
Archangel
22-02-2007, 09:39 AM
If its an external hard drive, then you are obviously moving the data across USB 2.0 at best.
That is the bottle neck. No amount of hard drive speed (cache / rpm) is going to help solve that one.
That's exactly what I was thinking.
orchyboy
22-02-2007, 09:43 AM
If its an external hard drive, then you are obviously moving the data across USB 2.0 at best.
That is the bottle neck. No amount of hard drive speed (cache / rpm) is going to help solve that one.
thats exactly the problem with external HDD and why I personally would never use one...
Personally I think you would be better running an additional internal... that is IF your motherboard supports SATA (which it should unless its really old)...
As the others have stated, 7200 rpm 8mb cache is about the standard... DONT go any less... and make sure you get ATLEAST 8mb cache...
shannonhearse
22-02-2007, 10:35 AM
thats exactly the problem with external HDD and why I personally would never use one...
Personally I think you would be better running an additional internal... that is IF your motherboard supports SATA (which it should unless its really old)...
As the others have stated, 7200 rpm 8mb cache is about the standard... DONT go any less... and make sure you get ATLEAST 8mb cache...
Hes not after an internal, hes after a backup.
If you keep you backup in the same location as the rest of your harddrives, then its secptable to things like powerspikes, but more importantly physical theft, fire, etc, etc.
archangel, pat mole and primal have given some excelent advice on this topic.
For the other contributors, Listen to what he wants, dont hear what you want to sell / give advice on.
ninevalleys
22-02-2007, 05:02 PM
no actually i run e-SATA, at 3G/s... look it up Coolermaster X-Craft external HD case. that the beuty of goign through Ebay, you can check out all different types of case. sure most are standard USB 2.0. it was worth paying the extra $10 for the E-sata, you can even get Firewire ports.
remeber Value for money boys
NV
lil_dennett
12-05-2007, 09:22 AM
why not use scsi????
lil bit to set up but i am using it and just have the end of the cable comming out he back of my case to a little holder i had attached to the back where i put a normal scsi hdd and use it to back up to then when i am done i put it away.. works a treat....
USB 2.0 a bottleneck?
I'm constantly amazed by the number of supposedly IT literate people who consider that their data bus is a "bottleneck" when it exceeds by several factors the sustainable read/write speed of their media.
I remember one particular web review where some fool bought a USB.2/Firewire external drive for his hard drive so he could "See which one was the faster interface" and then reported that there was only two percent difference between the two.
Hmmm. USB 2.0 theoretical data rate = 480Mb/s
Firewire theoretical data rate = 400Mb/s
(Windows XP with service pack 2 firewire default speed = 100Mb/s)
Yet the fastest available conventional spinning material hard drives rarely reach 150 Mb/s PEAK transfer. Much less sustained. You'd be lucky to get 50!
Bitmicro fiberchannel solid state drives only get to 300Mb/s.
Yet some people at the computer fairs try to tell me that I should get firewire 800 for "faster transfers"....
Archangel
12-05-2007, 10:26 AM
...
++
Plus you have to wait on the hard drive's seek times far too often, which are pretty hopeless.
Pat Mole
12-05-2007, 02:09 PM
USB 2.0 a bottleneck?
I'm constantly amazed by the number of supposedly IT literate people who consider that their data bus is a "bottleneck" when it exceeds by several factors the sustainable read/write speed of their media.
I remember one particular web review where some fool bought a USB.2/Firewire external drive for his hard drive so he could "See which one was the faster interface" and then reported that there was only two percent difference between the two.
Hmmm. USB 2.0 theoretical data rate = 480Mb/s
Firewire theoretical data rate = 400Mb/s
(Windows XP with service pack 2 firewire default speed = 100Mb/s)
Yet the fastest available conventional spinning material hard drives rarely reach 150 Mb/s PEAK transfer. Much less sustained. You'd be lucky to get 50!
Bitmicro fiberchannel solid state drives only get to 300Mb/s.
Yet some people at the computer fairs try to tell me that I should get firewire 800 for "faster transfers"....
I've had someone ask me if they should change from using a USB modem to using a router/modem combo because the UTP cables are faster. :confused:
lil_dennett
12-05-2007, 08:16 PM
lol you guys are right some people just do not read what is says on the packaging of stuff they buy all that info is there right in front of you.. lol silly people..
still the question was what would be a good way of backing up his stuff....??
it don't really matter what you use the difference in speed is not really going to matter will just mean that he watched another stupid vid on you tube while backing up. lol
as long as he has a big enough device to fit it all on it wont matter.
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.