External drives using true Sata connection?

[newconroer]

Moar was telling me about how some USB external drives shortcut by not using an actual Sata connection on the inside - rather it's a type of Sata<>USB bridge connection. This can apparently really kill off performance.

With that in mind, how do I identify whether an external enclosure (empty) or an external hard disk uses a true Sata connection, or the cheaper approach?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BUFFALO-HD-HX1-0TU3-DriveStation-1TB-EXTERNAL-Hard-Drive-USB-3-0-1000GB/221550992668?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20140122125356&meid=c7ad2c0f587242ca9e85bea0cd774a2a&pid=100005&prg=20140122125356&rk=5&rkt=6&sd=141406989431&rt=nc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-TB-WD-My-Book-Essential-Edition-USB-External-Hard-Drive/141406989431?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20140122125356&meid=9cd671afe9a4482a81fed8737d4d1600&pid=100005&prg=20140122125356&rk=2&rkt=6&sd=281439655112&rt=nc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/western-d...K_Computing_HardDrives_RL&hash=item41871c54c8

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PROBOX-US...es_HardDriveEnclosures_RL&hash=item3a97728e18

I hope that makes sense - just want to ensure I don't pick up the wrong drive!

 

[RealNeil]

I have two cases that have an E-SATA port on them. The interior connection goes from the E-SATA plug, to one of the SATA ports on My Motherboards.....................I think that it's true SATA.

Any USB 3.0 port will be quick, but it's not true SATA.

 

[newconroer]

I should have worded that as true Sata cable.

 

[RealNeil]

E-SATA stands for External SATA.

That's the connection that you want

 

[Kursah]

So if I understand right, you're talking about getting an external USB HDD with a Sata drive interface that has maximum performance...correct?

I know USB3 can handle a theoretical 5Gbps and I think SATA 3 is 6Gbps. E-Sata might be the way to go, but if all you have is USB 3 and 2 like my Z87 Pro (doh!)...I would just get a USB3 drive that reviews well with its user base..you're bound to find someone that's HDTach'd theirs. That or go with a home-built NAS...though that costs quite a bit more...that's my plans in the future.

 

[newconroer]

It's a bit murky to me as well. I want an external USB capable hard disk (or enclosure with an internal drive Ill install), to connect into a new router hub. And I want to ensure that of the ones I'm looking at are not hindered by poor design.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

All I can suggest is look at reviews where people report their speeds. There's no way to be certain, as far as I know.

 

[Kursah]

It's a bit murky to me as well. I want an external USB capable hard disk (or enclosure with an internal drive Ill install), to connect into a new router hub. And I want to ensure that of the ones I'm looking at are not hindered by poor design.

Well unless your router us using USB 3.0 and is able to achieve at least 1Gbps through that port, it won't much matter anyways...you'll be locked at a peak of about 20MB/s because it'll be USB 2.0 limited. That's where a NAS would make MUCH more sense if speed of your data is a concern. Do some more research on reported speeds as suggested before if you stick with the USB enclosure plan.

 

[newconroer]

Yes the router is going to be 2.0 as I am going with a cheaper one.
Thing is, entry to mid range NAS get a lot of grief for having slow throughputs. It's difficult deciding between the USB drive or the NAS box.

 

[Kursah]

Yes the router is going to be 2.0 as I am going with a cheaper one.
Thing is, entry to mid range NAS get a lot of grief for having slow throughputs. It's difficult deciding between the USB drive or the NAS box.

A homegrade NAS on a Gb link would be MUCH faster than a USB 2.0 HDD...even a cheaper NAS. If all you have is a 100Mb Router, then yes a USB HDD would be faster. I would run a 3-4 disk RAID 5 for redundancy primarily, and a small speed boost. Some people get a board like the NM70I-1037U and a PICO ATX PSU (100-150W..) and a cheap case. I plan on using that board, but I feel better about an 80+ Gold ATX PSU...I also want an mATX or mITX case that can handle up to 6 drives (there's one I have in my sights...out of my budget).

 

[RealNeil]

These enclosures have a E-SATA and a USB 3.0 interface. Inside is a SATA connection to an HDD.

I have 2 of the silver RX358s.

 

[newconroer]

While I did not choose the route of using an external case+usb drive, I appreciate the responses as I now understand what to look for if I need a cheaper alternative to making use of an old internal drive.

Related to this query was my decision between external drives and a NAS box.

The results are here
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/t...comment-or-suggest.205283/page-2#post-3173519