Need Hard Drive Recommendations For An External Enclosure

[Robin]

Tomorrow im most likely going out to buy a 3.5" hard drive and an external caddy / enclosure. I was wondering if you could recommended me any brands or models of hard drive that are particularly good for external use connected to the computer via sata (in the caddy) then on to USB.

Im looking for something around 500GB and the quieter it is the better. I used to be a real fan of Seagate but found my 160GB Baracuda had that built in ‘Seek To Improve Reliablilty (STIR)’ system which meant it would do a clicking reading sound every few minutes even when idle… it cannot be disabled and it drove me mad! Other manufacturers drives don’t do this and I don’t know if Seagate ones do this anymore. I’ve had good experiences with WD in the silence dept.

Oh and I don’t want to buy a ready packaged external (like a WD MyBook) or anything like that, just want a HDD in a caddy I choose.

Any recommendations?

Thanks, 👍

Robin.

 

[Shannon]

WD Green Power's are the quietest 3.5" drives period, and they go up to 1TB. The only caveat is they're not as fast as some other drives because, while they don't say so on the site, they run around 5400rpm instead of 7200rpm. I have Vista loaded on my 500GB model and its still faster than my old SATA drive though.

 

[emad]

Green Powers are expensive.

The Western Digital Caviar 640gb is about as quiet as the Green Powers and it can be had for under $85. Excellent drive. I'd get another, but the motor's hum would get to be a bit much if I have 3 or 4 drives running simultaneously

 

[Robin]

I had a look at the Green Power ones and they do seem perfect for an external but as emad said they are quite pricey and although they are going to be really quiet I wouldnt mind slightly more noise from a normal WD for a larger drop in price.

As long as it doesnt click and read when idle il be happy! The Green Powers PWL sounds scarily similar to Seagates STIR.

Apart from WD which are really good are there any other brands I should consider?

Robin

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I'm not sure anymore, but Samsungs used to be pretty quiet.

 

[TB]

I have a 160Gb Hitachi Deskstar in my PS2 (yes, PS2) and it's pretty damn quiet.

 

[Solid Lifters]

TigerDirect.com had a 1TB HDD on sale for $99. They also have the 1.5TB HDD for $179.

 

[Eric.]

If I were you I'd just look at the prices of Seagates and Western Digitals. They are pretty m much equals now, so go for the better deal if that's what matters. Personally, I only buy Seagates.


But out of curiousity, why don't you want a normal (already assembled) external drive?

 

[Casio]

I'd 100% agree with the GreenPower, first thing I thought when i saw the thread title.

 

[Shannon]

I had a look at the Green Power ones and they do seem perfect for an external but as emad said they are quite pricey and although they are going to be really quiet I wouldnt mind slightly more noise from a normal WD for a larger drop in price.

Maybe I'm blind, but where are you looking that says the Green Power's are more expensive? From Newegg, they're actually the cheapest option.

 

[Robin]

I have a 160Gb Hitachi Deskstar in my PS2 (yes, PS2) and it's pretty damn quiet.

I went today and had a look, the shop was willing to give me a deal where I get a 500GB Hitachi Deskstar and the enclosure I want. Im still undecided and I would go for it but I know nothing about Hitachi's reputation or noise levels for PC use. Are they any good or are they a risky brand? No one who builds PC's seems to use them.

But out of curiousity, why don't you want a normal (already assembled) external drive?

Well there are quite a few reasons, often they are more expensive, bulky (because they usually have fans) and dont have the HDD swapability. Also I just dont find the style of any of them really appealing for what I need.

Maybe I'm blind, but where are you looking that says the Green Power's are more expensive? From Newegg, they're actually the cheapest option.

Well im looking at UK prices and for the same GB's green power ones cost about 10-15 pounds ($16-$24) more over the standard WD's.

Will most likely go with WD (because of my tainted Seagate experience!) or go with Hitachi depending on how good there rep is.

EDIT- Just had a look round the net and apparently Hitachi has a really bad reputation, people call them deathstars! so im not going to go with the shops deal, maybe thats why they are so eager to bundle them with the enclosure.

Robin