Looking for External HD Enclosure

Is anyone familiar w/ this line, or have other makes, models you'd recommend?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3071563&body=REVIEWS#tabs

 

I've only dealt with IDE cases, but like in those reviews, space for the cable connection was a factor.

Compare it to the Vantec. Does it have the correct cables and do you need the internal to external SATA bracket?

For the Vantec Tigerdirect says "Supports up to 500GB "
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2145406
Newegg says "up to 750GB "
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145167

You will need to sift through the information.

Matt

 

I'm considering this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...tails.asp?EdpNo=3071563&body=MAIN#detailspecs
There seems to be no mention of any limit to HD size (assuming it 3.5 "). Why do some limit this? Because of heat?
Also, I can't tell if the cable (SATA to USB2) is included or not.
And how does the power cable hook up on externals?
May have to phone them.
Are there any other factors to consider?
Again I know nothing about these things.
Thx!

 

Click on the small photos. One shows the contents of the "pack ". Vantec supplies an internal to external bracket (e-SATA), the Kingwin does not. If you want to use e-SATA and your motherboard does not have an e-SATA connector, you will need the bracket.

There are tabs for Product/Consumer Reviews, read through them. Like I was saying, the Kingwin reviews mention it being difficult to connect the cables to the drive internally.

Some of the reviews for the Kingwin talk about cooling.

Looking at the reviews, if I was purchasing one, I might expect some "technical difficulties" with the Kingwin. The Vantec seems to get better reviews, but it is more expensive.

Vantec seem to be confident of running a 500/750GB drive, maybe the Kingwin has not been tested.

The information those pages is good, you won't get that sort information by walking into a department store.

It is your job to make the decision

Matt

 

I don't understand what this cable is for. My board is SATA 1, so I need a SATA 1 to USB 2 cable, no?

How does an external typically cool itself?
One or two of the reviews had complaints about Vantec, which is why I shied away from it.
Do you know anything aboput the these brands/makes?

So typically ea enclosure is rated for a maximum size HD?

 

No, you either use USB OR e-SATA. You will see two cables supplied. The e-SATA connects to the SATA controller on the motherboard. USB works through the USB controller. For e-SATA on a SATA 1 controller maximum speed is rated at 1500Mbs. USB 2.0 is rated at 480MBS.

The case has a fan inside. The power is supplied from mains power (don't touch external drives that run from USB power).

I can't see many bad reviews for the Vantec. It rates 4.8 - 4.9 out of 5, at Tigerdirect.

Vantec specialises in external cases.

Size? Vantec may be testing drives as they are released, but that may mean testing many drives. Kingwin may not be testing and "if it works, it works ".

Matt

 

Thx Matt!
I'll have another look at that enclosure.
In the Kingwin reviews there was mention of previous problems w/ Vartec, which is why I avoided it. I will trust your recommendation though.
I assume either cable has a connector for the HD. One from HD to USB2, the other from HD to Motherboard?
Should be obvious, but I've learned not to assume.

 

Yes, that is what I am saying. Look at the back of your computer, is there a port labelled e-SATA? If not you will need to use the bracket to connect to a SATA "header" on the motherboard itself.

Here is the product page for the Vantec. Read through User Guide (the troubleshooting section is good to check before you start).
http://www.vantecusa.com/demo/front/product/view_detail/212

If there is hardware you are interested in purchasing, find the User Guide/Manual, download and read through it. I have never used a SATA external drive before.

Matt

 

Matt,
No eSATA ports. I built this box almost 3 yrs ago. Plenty of USB2 ports though.
My motherboard is SATA 1, but I've been using a ATA drive until now. PLanning on hooking up the new drives this wkend.

And good advice on the manuals. I check out the enclosure you've suggested tomorrow.

Hey, per Pete I'm going to make several partitions on my drive, and I've never done this before. The MS sight's info was not the best. Can you give me a clue? Do you make one partition at a time (when formatting), or do yuou set up all partitions simultaneously?

 

I just looked at that link.
What does this mean?

Hot-Swappable: Plug & Play Without Rebooting

 

Will you explain...
If not you will need to use the bracket to connect to a SATA "header" on the motherboard itself.

 

Also, when I look at the link for the Vantec the pic of contents shows what looks like a peripheral card which I assume would be the eSATA connection. Is this accurate?

 

Matt, Just saw this
http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews/Vantec Nexstar 3/

Manufacturer features and specifications:

• Model : NST-360SU-BK
• Interface: SATA to eSATA & USB 2.0
• 206 X 123 X 33 mm
• Window 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP, Mac OS 8.6 & Above

• Aluminum Casing Cools Down Your Hard Drive
• Transfer Rates Up to 3Gbps W/ eSATA
• Transfer Rates Up to 480Mbps W/ USB 2.0 (12Mbps W/ USB1.1)
• Easily Add Storage to Any System with SATA or USB
• Hot-Swappable: Plug And Play without Rebooting
• Attractive Blue LED Indicates Power/HDD Activity
• Supports Up to 400GB Hard Drives

My HD is 750 GB

 

I found this
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3830951&CatId=2779

Though it's not eSATA

For backup will this make a big difference?
I really don't expect to do much backing up. Once a month probably.

 

I would prefer to have to have the choice of either USB or the faster SATA connection available. It's your choice.

If you look at the specs at the Vantec webpage I linked to for that model (NST-360SU), it NOW says it supports 1 Terabyte drives. As I said, it looks like they are testing new drives as they are becoming available.

Yes
http://www.cwol.com/serial-ata/esata-port-adapter-dual.htm

Matt

 

Thx Matt, that's perfect. Now I understand the connection, and I can see it is rated for 1TB.
When I ran the model number on TigerDirect the pic showed a different configuration for the side w/ the connections which makes me wonder if it's the same enclosure?

 

Also, do you know what this means?

 

The model numbers are NST-360SU-BK and NST-360-BL. BK stands for a black colour, BL for a blue colour (and I think there is RD for red). The specs and information on the blue webpage appears to be more up-to-date than the black one. The information at the Vantec website will be the most reliable.

The hot-swappable, plug and play, means you can connect and disconnect the drive when the computer is running. IDE drives connected to the motherboard are not hot-swappable, you must shutdown the computer to disconnect them. SATA drives are hot-swappable (I think some of the originals weren't). You can treat them in a similar way to memory sticks. There should be an option to "safely remove/disconnect the drive" in Windows. That stops access to the drive, then you disconnect it. See if it is mentioned in the User Guide.

Matt

 

This explains the discrepancies.

Awesome. That exactly what I wanted to hear. (Though I had no idea that's what it meant!

Are you there? I have a quick one.
I'm doing a Windows install w/out a wired mouse. So until drivers go in = no mouse. Page comes up about automatically adjusting screen resolution and it's not responding to the enter key. I'm tempted to shut down, but what will this do?
Can you help?

 

Cansola that last request. Got it done.