Which OcUK HHD enclosure?
- Thread starter rancid-a
- Start date
eSATA is compatible with SATA but they do not use the same port. If you don't have an eSATA port on your motherboard/case then you can either stick with USB/Firewire or you can use a SATA to eSATA cable and have it coming through a hole in the back of your case somewhere.
Any SATA caddy should do but I'd advise getting a fanless one - I've had two caddies with fans over the last 5 years and both got really noisy after a few weeks.
Any SATA caddy should do but I'd advise getting a fanless one - I've had two caddies with fans over the last 5 years and both got really noisy after a few weeks.
Hi Dragon 
I'm not sure if I have a eSata port on my motherboard but if I don't have to mess around inside my case, I'd rather not, I'll only end up damaging something.
I've seen something I like the look of -
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-060-AK
An Akasa HDD Docking station. Looks very easy to use, with USB.
I'm not sure if I have a eSata port on my motherboard but if I don't have to mess around inside my case, I'd rather not, I'll only end up damaging something.
I've seen something I like the look of -
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-060-AK
An Akasa HDD Docking station. Looks very easy to use, with USB.
eSATA ports are external (usually, since that's what they were designed for) - by "on your motherboard" I meant at the back of your PC. No need to open the case if you don't want to.
If you don't have an eSATA port then USB is probably your only option (Firewire caddies are somewhat rare and usually more expensive). Just be aware that the hard drive will be around 2-3x slower when using USB compared to eSATA.
If you don't have an eSATA port then USB is probably your only option (Firewire caddies are somewhat rare and usually more expensive). Just be aware that the hard drive will be around 2-3x slower when using USB compared to eSATA.
Just looking at the front of my HAF 9?? case, one of the connections there has ESATA wrote underneith it Not sure if that will be connected & working to the motherboard but will give it a go once I buy my docking station. Thanks for helping Dragon, much appreciated.
Not sure if that will be connected & working to the motherboard but will give it a go once I buy my docking station. Thanks for helping Dragon, much appreciated.
Soldato
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Hi there - if you have a HAF case then you will be in luck with eSATA connection.
The eSATA port comes connected to a standard SATA cable - which is simply connected to any SATA port on the motherboard.
Alternatively, if you can us the make and model number of your motherboard we can tell you if it has an eSATA port on the back. If you don't know what board you have, use this software to find out.
eSATA is the best connection to go for if you are buying an external HDD caddy, as it is much faster than USB2 (eSATA speed is so high that it is limited by the speed of the disk) and cheaper than USB3. I suggest having a look at the Icybox enclosures with eSATA interfaces, I have two and they are very solid and fanless.
The eSATA port comes connected to a standard SATA cable - which is simply connected to any SATA port on the motherboard.
Alternatively, if you can us the make and model number of your motherboard we can tell you if it has an eSATA port on the back. If you don't know what board you have, use this software to find out.
eSATA is the best connection to go for if you are buying an external HDD caddy, as it is much faster than USB2 (eSATA speed is so high that it is limited by the speed of the disk) and cheaper than USB3. I suggest having a look at the Icybox enclosures with eSATA interfaces, I have two and they are very solid and fanless.
Hi cmndr
According to one of the (driver) CDs I've found, it looks like my motherboard is a Intel DH55TC. But hopefully as you said, everything would be connected up inside. Will check out the Icybox enclosures you mention too. Cheers.
According to one of the (driver) CDs I've found, it looks like my motherboard is a Intel DH55TC. But hopefully as you said, everything would be connected up inside. Will check out the Icybox enclosures you mention too. Cheers.
