1 TB External Hard Drive Backup

[Viper69]

I have narrowed down choices to two ext drives so far.

Fantom G-Force 1TB eSATA / USB 2.0 Hard Drive I can get it for $95-99. Specs here > Fantom (http://store.fantomdrives.com/general/prodDisplay.asp?CatID=138&ProdID=558)

If someone has better recommendations that's fine. I'd like to hear it. I'm just partial to Seagate because of the warranty.

I'm only going to use the drive to store data. Just backing up, and moving files over.

Fantom is a 1 yr warranty.

OR, the Seagate 1TB (5 yr warranty), which is only USB2.0, the Fantom is eSata and USB2.0. I don't have eSata right now. On Newegg Fantom has a better review for sure by people who bought it, then this Seagate model.

Seagate >Seagate (http://freeagent.seagate.com/en-us/hard-drive/desktop-hard-drive/Free-Agent.html)

[mattspalace]

With that size drive, I'd want eSATA for sure!

[Ashura]

Definitely eSATA, even if your mobo doesn't have it onboard you can use one of your SATA ports and a cheap bracket:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=+40000353&Configurator=&Subcategory=-1&description=eSATA+Bracket&Ntk=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

It'll make a big difference in time required to move around files.

[Viper69]

Definitely eSATA, even if your mobo doesn't have it onboard you can use one of your SATA ports and a cheap bracket:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=+40000353&Configurator=&Subcategory=-1&description=eSATA+Bracket&Ntk=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

It'll make a big difference in time required to move around files.

Thanks guys, I'm curious..with the eSata card, how much slower would it be, compared to if I had direct eSata ports?

[ou_phidelt]

Thanks guys, I'm curious..with the eSata card, how much slower would it be, compared to if I had direct eSata ports?

None. Those just convert the SATA ports to eSATA, so no speed loss. And I also agree with the others in that you want eSATA for a drive that large.

Back to the topic. My question is what drives are in those cases, particularly the Fantom? That is why I bought an enclosure and drive seperate. Sure it cost a bit more, but I knew exactly what I was getting and got a better enclosure(IMHO)

[inkfx]

Back to the topic. My question is what drives are in those cases, particularly the Fantom? That is why I bought an enclosure and drive seperate. Sure it cost a bit more, but I knew exactly what I was getting and got a better enclosure(IMHO)
What enclosure are you using and where did you get it?

[Goshawk]

I'd prolly go this route:

http://www.vantecusa.com/front/product/view_detail/212

+

Seagate 1 TB if your partial to seagate... that combo has worked quite well for the folks I've helped out with it. Plus you get the 5 year warranty through Seagate... if the enclosure craps out eventually... who cares, get another :beer:


~ Gos

[Enablingwolf]

I found a 1TB Seagate Freeagent USB 2.0 in the weekly ad for OfficeMax. It was going for 99 bux.

As I use it. I am averaging 27-30ish on the transfer speeds. The white and silver case is left to be desired, and the shape of it. But it does work well and is easy to hide. No power switch though. Once you unplug the USB it turns off. It is a 7200.1 drive.

[Viper69]

None. Those just convert the SATA ports to eSATA, so no speed loss. And I also agree with the others in that you want eSATA for a drive that large.

Back to the topic. My question is what drives are in those cases, particularly the Fantom? That is why I bought an enclosure and drive seperate. Sure it cost a bit more, but I knew exactly what I was getting and got a better enclosure(IMHO)

I'm not sure..my friend has had Fantom's and no problems..I'm going to try it...I built my own external drives, about five of them. Some are ok..some I regret. They are all IDE actually.

[ou_phidelt]

What enclosure are you using and where did you get it?

Antec MX-1

[Ashura]

Back to the topic. My question is what drives are in those cases, particularly the Fantom? That is why I bought an enclosure and drive seperate. Sure it cost a bit more, but I knew exactly what I was getting and got a better enclosure(IMHO)

What enclosure are you using and where did you get it?

Antec MX-1

I agree about going the separate enclosure and drive route, I have the same enclosure as ou_phidelt (I think per your recommendation in another thread?) and I'm very happy with it and the 1.5TB Seagate I popped inside.

[Dermen]

I have a Fantom external drive, I really haven't used it much but I haven't had any problems. It uses a WD Green drive.

One thing to keep in mind is Seagate external drives still have a 5yr warranty, while their internal drives were cut to 3yrs.

[thideras]

Stay away from the FreeAgent external drives. They have horrible cooling on the controller and it overheats, losing whatever it was doing, causing disconnects and greatly shortening the life.

I had one of these and struggled with it for the longest time before giving up and just ripping it apart. It is HORRIBLE. Do a few searches for that external drive and you will see a ton of people having the same issue.


I've had my Western Digital MyBook for years (back when 250gig was huge) and it is still running strong. I replaced the horrible Seagate external with a new WD MyBook 1TB and I'm not looking back.

[inkfx]

Yeah I think I'm going to pick up that Antec enclosure and a WD 640GB drive.