Would a external HDD be more reliable than an internal?

[ExoMale]

okay so I have 2x1tb 3.5 drives that are near enough full, I have an 80gb 3.5 I can put to use, I also have a 500gb 3.5 that's currently in my system, now I have been wanting to replace both TB drives with a single 2TB maybe even 3 to use with windows on it also before, but always had a tower that held all 3 drives, but now I have my current system, it only supports 1 drive, so I have a 2.5/3.5 dock to access my other files, but storing the drives in tubs or whether isn't appropriate...


So for around £45 I could buy a used 2tb hard drive if not too costly? Which would be easier for my dock or could try find a cheap used 3tb and use in my system so have windows put on it or I could just save up and buy a 2 - 3tb external and store away my dock for future use...


I've had bad experiences with WDB 3.5 external of old where I've lost data(my dock does not swap) or other brands and a laptop size are more expensive, but never had any problems with my current internal drives, so am asking what you guys would think be the more reliable solution and best solution???

 

[Armageus]

Internal drives will generally be more reliable:- they don't get subjected to any shocks due to being moved around, the connectors don't get worn out (e.g. in the case of using SATA docks etc), and have less to go wrong (e.g. in the case of USB->SATA interface).

If your files are important, then don't cheap out and buy used hard drives (especially if you are buying them from high street shops etc) - save up the money and buy what you actually need.

 

[ExoMale]

okay thanks for that, as far as used go, all my drives i got used, one of my 1tb model is a WDG, but looking at prices of used 3tb i will probably be better off buying new, more so if any deals on..


must be said the 1tb seagate 2.5 external i got for when i had xbox one was brand new and survived power cuts, accidental removals and just being dumped in a box, but thats a passport model if it makes any difference?

 

[bledd]

Do you have an SSD? If not, get one, best upgrade in the last 10 years of PC.

Then buy 2x 2TB drives if you have up to 2TB data to store.

One drive for data, the other for a backup of that data.

 

[GWANGY]

must be said the 1tb seagate 2.5 external i got for when i had xbox one was brand new and survived power cuts, accidental removals and just being dumped in a box, but thats a passport model if it makes any difference?

i THINK YOU Are praising the wrong company the passport model is from WD. I have one myself and it is a great drive BUT it requires quite a bit of power and I have seen occasions where it cannot be used due to requiring more power than is available.
*usb powered

 

[Puzzled]

i THINK YOU Are praising the wrong company the passport model is from WD. I have one myself and it is a great drive BUT it requires quite a bit of power and I have seen occasions where it cannot be used due to requiring more power than is available.
*usb powered

To be fair that happens with loads of external USB powered drives, just depends on how much power it can draw from the motherboard in the pc / laptop. I always use a powered USB hub now for that very reason.

I am tempted to take out the drives from my 2 5TB external drives and put them inside, just to get rid of required plugs really but they don't always seem to spin down when you'd expect them to so perhaps being an internal connection would make them last longer.

 

[ExoMale]

No it’s a seagate 1tb, i purchased it like around Christmas time if not before hand, I think it said passport, think I got it from Argos, I’m used to their internals but that 2.5 external is great though have no Xbox one anymore lol.

Prices keep going up and down so it’s hard to find a good drive by the time I get there money, ironically I have a 2.5 enclosure with some okay Sata drive that has been more reliable than that old 3.5 WD proper external I had years ago and I’ve accidentally disconnected it a few times lol.