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Old July 12, 2008, 09:58 AM
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Default Are there any External HD that don't suck?
Hi, just built a new system (with much help from folks on the board here). I want to pick up a 300 GB or so external hard drive, basically for moving data between computers, not so much as my back up (I'll have three 640 GB internal HDs on my new PC for back ups). However, evey one I read up on results in reviews about them failing after 2 - 4 months. Some of the horror stories on amazon are brutal. So, is there a reliable external HD out there? Even it I'm using it more as a transfer unit, I don't want to drop $100 bucks or more on something that will die right away.
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Old July 12, 2008, 10:45 AM
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Just grab a 3.5 hdd, 500g or the 640g's and a vantec enclosure. Better setup than a "backup-box". You have the option of using the hdd of your choice and can replace just the hdd at anytime.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...3&promoid=1051

Vantec Nexstar 3 External 3.5IN SATA Black Aluminum Hard Drive Enclosure eSATA USB2.0 - DirectCanada
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Old July 12, 2008, 01:46 PM
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I have 2 friends that run the Thermaltake BlacX....They really like em.

It's basically just a stand you plug any drive into.Check em out.

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Old July 12, 2008, 11:32 PM
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Like Supergrover said get yourself a nice 3.5", one that you trust, add an enclosure and you're good to go! That way you don't have to worry about those external drives units. Much better solution.
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Old July 12, 2008, 11:54 PM
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Just make sure the enclosure has some sort of cooling.
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Old July 12, 2008, 11:57 PM
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vantec + hdd = ftw.

You don't need cooling in enclosures if they are built properly.
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Old July 13, 2008, 09:44 AM
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I recommend the Antec MX-1 actively cooled enclosure. I've got one and it keeps my HDD as cool, if not a degree cooler than HDDs in my PCs. And it's fairly quiet too! Performance is great from it as well.
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Old July 13, 2008, 10:16 AM
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Build your own! I have a number of Vantec Nexstar 3 & other Vantec models with everything from 250gig drives & up & have no complaints. The beauty is since you have done it yourself, if the drive fails you deal with it's 3 or 5 year (Depending on the drive manufacturer) warranty apart from the seperate warranty fo the enclosure. This is much better than the measley 1yr warranty most pre-built external drives gives you & the reliability is great. I can recommend the Vantec enclosures without reservations.
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Old July 13, 2008, 10:45 PM
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Vantec Nexstar user here too.

Get one with eSATA; USB blows.
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Old July 21, 2008, 01:10 PM
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The Vantec Nexstar don't seem to officially support Vista (as per the NCIX.com listing) . Any one know if this is an issue or not? My new machine will run Vista 64
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