External HDD

Sniper123 · 15 Jun 2008 at 15:48

Thinking about getting a external HDD since my laptop 320GB (2x160GB) has about 40GB left.Would I be able to play games from a external hdd?

I was looking at 500GB min with budget <£100, Could someone spec me a good 1 please

Servo · 15 Jun 2008 at 16:11

I would never buy an external pre built unit.

The only reason is after 12 months and if anything goes wrong, you left with a unit that is worthless.

I would buy the hd, that has more than 12 months warranty, then a sata/usb enclosure, this works out a lot cheaper than buying a pre made one.
Plus if the case goes wrong, it's cheap to replace, and hd drive will have 3-5 years warranty depending on which you bought.

helmutcheese · 15 Jun 2008 at 16:27

I have a WD MY BOOK, its 500GB and I use the ESATA connection.

Its no different to running an internal HDD (SATA300) and its got a 3 YEARS WARRANTY and I have had zero issue with it since new about 1 year now I think.

Servo · 15 Jun 2008 at 16:29

Seagate hd's have 5 YEAR WARRANTY

helmutcheese · 15 Jun 2008 at 16:34

You stated above more than 12months as if Caddys are not covered by as long a warrenty (obv they run hotter than standalone HDD's).

Seagates Caddy HDD's are 5 years Limited

WD also do 5 years (My Book Studio Series) but my model in the caddy is 3 years.

Sniper123 · 15 Jun 2008 at 16:40

Shame my dell XPS M1730 can't use E-Sata =/

Think I'll go with the WD.

Thanks guys.

helmutcheese · 15 Jun 2008 at 16:43

You going to use USB2.0 or 1394a ?

You could get a ESATA card its a lot faster, I aint sure if 25-30MB/Sec abouts is going to be fine for Games.

Servo · 15 Jun 2008 at 17:01

helmutcheese said:
You going to use USB2.0 or 1394a ?

You could get a ESATA card its a lot faster, I aint sure if 25-30MB/Sec abouts is going to be fine for Games.

I agree with that, much faster, and most have two external ports (sil3132)

Sniper123 · 15 Jun 2008 at 17:23

I'll use the 1394 port for now and use 320GB for OS and games and everything else on the Ext HDD.

It's handy using the PCMCIA slot for my remote control