Questions about the best External HDD Enclosure and connection method.

[Stan]

I am investigating the best choices to provide External 3.5 Hard Drive
availability for a PC system. Searches among the threads of various
forums reveal that the information is out of date with many being
requests for sources of supply, which clearly is not the current
situation.

I am interested in views on the pros and cons of the many Enclosures
available and the attendant data and power connections.

Are there any particular Enclosures to be avoided and if so for what
reasons?

Does anyone have first hand experience with totally tool less
assembly\disassembly Enclosures?

Concerning the Power Supply for these Enclosures, does an internally
mounted unit, connected via the usual 'kettle' trailing socket, put
too much heat where it is not wanted?

At what stage is forced ventilation necessary, in terms of duration of
continuous disc activity?

Which is the preferred data connection system, USB 2, Firewire or
whatever? Is there any requirement\improvement by using, in this
scenario, Firewire 1394b or even USB 3 when it comes?

My own thoughts on the subject:
Although some Enclosures appear to be small, when the external Power
Supply is taken into consideration they can effectively take up more
space than a unit with a built PSU.

Aluminium naturally ventilated appeals due simplicity and noise
reduction, although how this equates to an alloy case with perforated
panels to aid cooling would take practical experience to determine.
If a totally sealed case can operate satisfactorily for the time it
would take to totally cover the cloning of a well populated C: drive,
then this may be the best option.

TIA for any information on this subject, best regards

Stan

 

[Rod Speed]

I am investigating the best choices to provide External
3.5 Hard Drive availability for a PC system. Searches
among the threads of various forums reveal that the
information is out of date with many being requests for
sources of supply, which clearly is not the current situation.

I am interested in views on the pros and
cons of the many Enclosures available and
the attendant data and power connections.

Are there any particular Enclosures to
be avoided and if so for what reasons?

The main problem is with the cheapest plastic enclosures
that completely ignore the question of getting heat from
the drive and so see the drive get stinking hot.

Does anyone have first hand experience with totally
tool less assembly\disassembly Enclosures?

Does that really matter much when you arent
likely to be changing the drive inside much ?

Concerning the Power Supply for these Enclosures, does
an internally mounted unit, connected via the usual 'kettle'
trailing socket, put too much heat where it is not wanted?

It shouldnt do with a switch mode power supply.

At what stage is forced ventilation necessary,
in terms of duration of continuous disc activity?

Even with no drive activity, the worst enclosures
will see 7200 rpm drives get much too hot.

Forced ventilation isnt essential, but you
do need to design the case properly to be
able to do without it with 7200 rpm drives.

Which is the preferred data connection
system, USB 2, Firewire or whatever?

Firewire is measurably faster, but not
as many systems have that standard.

Lot to be said for a dual mode external housing.

Is there any requirement\improvement by using, in this
scenario, Firewire 1394b or even USB 3 when it comes?

Yes, both are below what speed you
get with internal ATA/IDE drives now.

My own thoughts on the subject:
Although some Enclosures appear to be small, when the
external Power Supply is taken into consideration they can
effectively take up more space than a unit with a built PSU.

Sure. And arent as convenient to move around.

2.5" drives are actually better there because they
can be powered from the data cable, are obviously
physically smaller and those drives are more rugged
too. Significantly more expensive per GB tho.

Aluminium naturally ventilated appeals due simplicity and noise
reduction, although how this equates to an alloy case with perforated
panels to aid cooling would take practical experience to determine.

If a totally sealed case can operate satisfactorily for the
time it would take to totally cover the cloning of a well
populated C: drive, then this may be the best option.

Yeah, but likely the hardest to find.

TIA for any information on this subject, best regards

One other consideration is being able to auto spin down
the drive when its not in use. That obviously helps the
heat problem considerably if its used intermittently.

Not all drives can do that tho.

 

[Tom Scales]

By the specifications, this comment is backwards -- USB2 = 480, Firewire =
400.

That said, I've used my Maxtor both ways and while I haven't benchmarked, I
could not 'feel' any measurable difference.

Tom

 

[Rod Speed]

By the specifications, this comment is backwards
Nope.

-- USB2 = 480, Firewire = 400.

Yes, but the only thing that matters, benchmarked
thruput, gets it the other way around. Presumably
because the USB2 protocol stack isnt optimised
for thruput and is that more complex than firewire.

http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/supergeek/jump/0,24331,3393574,00.html

That said, I've used my Maxtor both ways and while I haven't
benchmarked, I could not 'feel' any measurable difference.

Yeah, you really have to benchmark it to see it.

 

[Al Dykes]

I am investigating the best choices to provide External 3.5 Hard Drive
availability for a PC system. Searches among the threads of various
forums reveal that the information is out of date with many being
requests for sources of supply, which clearly is not the current
situation.

I am interested in views on the pros and cons of the many Enclosures
available and the attendant data and power connections.

Are there any particular Enclosures to be avoided and if so for what
reasons?

Does anyone have first hand experience with totally tool less
assembly\disassembly Enclosures?

Concerning the Power Supply for these Enclosures, does an internally
mounted unit, connected via the usual 'kettle' trailing socket, put
too much heat where it is not wanted?

At what stage is forced ventilation necessary, in terms of duration of
continuous disc activity?

Which is the preferred data connection system, USB 2, Firewire or
whatever? Is there any requirement\improvement by using, in this
scenario, Firewire 1394b or even USB 3 when it comes?

My own thoughts on the subject:
Although some Enclosures appear to be small, when the external Power
Supply is taken into consideration they can effectively take up more
space than a unit with a built PSU.

Aluminium naturally ventilated appeals due simplicity and noise
reduction, although how this equates to an alloy case with perforated
panels to aid cooling would take practical experience to determine.
If a totally sealed case can operate satisfactorily for the time it
would take to totally cover the cloning of a well populated C: drive,
then this may be the best option.

TIA for any information on this subject, best regards

Stan

There are external SATA backbacks, and PCI SATA cards that have an
external connector. You can also buy SATA pcmica cards.

 

[Stan]

Many thanks for your replies, particularly to Rod Speed who always
offers good words of guidance.

There was a local Computer Fair on today [Sunday] and the prices for a
new 120 Gb HDD encouraged me to look for Enclosures, most of which
seem to be only available via www. Surprisingly my personal first
choice [see German website link] was available at the event but not
with the USB – Firewire combo. I opted to checkout a similar item to
that shown in the first link, primarily because it looked the part
secondly was available, and last but not least, the price was right.
This USB 2 – Firewire combo version was approximately the same price
as the USB 2 only versions elsewhere. The whole Enclosure-Drive
package cost £25\30 [$46\55] lower than the best web price and gave me
a HDD of choice [considering probable future use].

This link shows a view of the almost sealed Aluminium Enclosure with
only USB 2 connection, the item tested is similar but with both USB 2
and Firewire:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2786240967&category=19570

The manufacturers obviously wish to remain anonymous, as there is no
indication of their name on the unit, documentation [??] or packaging.
The unit is cut from an alloy extrusion with slide in plastic covers
to hide the drive and pcb fixing screws. A 3.5 inch HDD slides in
with a snug fit, promising good contact with the case. The front
cover with LED is already fixed [adhered?] in position and the rear
cover, which retains the previously mentioned covers, is fastened with
four screws. The packaging whilst a little below par internally for
restraining some of the components, has a sturdy outer envelope with
good quality printing on glossy cardboard.

The questionable documentation, on A4 with part in English on one side
only was, not needed to fit the HDD and close up the case. The three
wiring connections [disc-power-led] were very easily accomplished just
prior to sliding the drive fully into the case. Mindful of the
probable heat dissipation problem all six drive retaining screws were
used to maximise drive to case contact. Four screws secured the pcb
and four more fastened the rear cover. This procedure took five
minutes including a part disassembly\reassembly to check the HDD
jumper setting.

The unit operated satisfactorily for almost two hours continuous drive
activity, whilst cloning drives, without becoming unduly warm. This
setup exceeds present requirements and when the procedure for
efficient use is refined, further units will be acquired and put into
service. The unit below might well prove better in dissipating heat,
in the real world the probability is that these drive will get used
for more than the present need, which will extended the time in use.
Any persons first hand experience with the enclosure mentioned below
would be most welcome.

If anyone is interested in a ventilated, via perforated edging panels
[with probable excellent heat conductivity via the case components],
Enclosure see the link below this is also available at the time of
writing on EBay UK:

http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog...=1443&osCsid=f6bd4e436590c5c9b5ff3f13b819cfad

The EBay item is again USB 2 only and the Vendor indicated that it was
doubtful if he would be supplying the USB 2 – Firewire combo version.

Please note I do not have any interest in the mentioned products other
than their possible usefulness as part of a removable drive.

Again many thanks for your input, best regards,

Stan