[Deverica Wolf]

Hi.

This is the computer I currently own. I plan on getting something better for games and giving this to my mom soon, but for now this is it...
http://www.premiumgeeks.com/desktop/...hpe-400f-specs
I have a Seagate 7200 3.0GB SATA II 1TB HD which is almost filled because of games and FLAC files.

I am looking into getting a 7200 2TB internal drive for the inside and an 2 or 3TB External for backup. Price is not an issue though I am only getting it for simple home uses. I only have one extra space inside for a HD so the external is not an option. I had been looking at getting a 3TB internal HD but I don't have a Cooling System and I'm not sure if it's compilable with my Motherboard so I went for the 2TB.

I have heard about the Hitachi Deskstar 7K3000...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ies-_-22145473
As well as the Western Digtial Cavier Black...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tal-_-22136824

First question: Will both of these be compatible with my PC (link above)? My Motherboard is a Foxconn H-ALVORIX_HF-RS880-uATX. I have a 300 Watt Power Supply (edit). Also, I just have one normal fan for keeping the system cool. Would that be sufficient for either of them? Also, SATA III is compatible with SATA II, correct?
Second: Which one would be the right choice for me? I am just using it for simple things for home like playing games and storing and playing FLAC files. I have heard some really nasty things about the Deskstar but overall I've heard nasty things about all the drives I've looked at. Is there a better drive out there than these two?

Now for the Externals, I plan to have it connected for constant backups...

Amazon.com: Western Digital My Book Essential 2 TB USB 3.0/2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive: Electronics


Amazon.com: Western Digital My Book Essential 3 TB USB 3.0/2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive: Electronics
First question: The 3TB would be preferred; Would it work ok for me? It's USB. Would I have any problems with it? Otherwise I would go with two 2TBs.
Second: Is it really worth it to have TWO sets of external backup drives, which I've heard on some forums. That's somewhere around $500 dollars not counting warranties. If one drive fails on me, couldn't I just quickly buy another drive and transport the data from one to another? What are the chances of both drives dying at the same time? I have my PC on a desk, away from water, and connected to a Power Surge Protector.

I've posted this in several other forums and have received little to no responses. My HD only has 100GB left so time is becoming quite an issue. If anyone would be so kind as to answer my four questions I would be very grateful. I don't want to buy something and it doesn't work so just a little insight could help me. I tried to make this neat and readable. If you need more information please post. Thanks!

EDIT: Links fixed.

 

[p4p3r]

Quote:

First question: Will both of these be compatible with my PC (link above)? My Motherboard is a Foxconn H-ALVORIX_HF-RS880-uATX. I have a 350 Watt Power Supply. Also, I just have one normal fan for keeping the system cool. Would that be sufficient for either of them? Also, SATA III is compatible with SATA II, correct? Second: Which one would be the right choice for me? I am just using it for simple things for home like playing games and storing and playing FLAC files. I have heard some really nasty things about the Deskstar but overall I've heard nasty things about all the drives I've looked at. Is there a better drive out there than these two?

HDD links doesn't work.

I'd really, really recommend a larger PSU. Your specs link says 300W, and that's hardly sufficient for your current hardware.
Also, I'd go for a new case. A larger one, with more spaces for HDD's.

First - And well, SATA II is compatible with SATA II. So certainly, they are compatible with your current system. Your mobo got to have SATA II ports.
It also depends on the number of SATA II ports on your mobo. Are there sufficient for your needs ?
Google the compatibility between SATA II and SATA III.
Don't worry about keeping the HDD's cool. They should be good, really. Eventually buy a second fan and plug it in, if you have any fan slots left.

Second - WD is usually pretty splendid. But I truly have no idea about the particular hard drives. Google is your friend.

Quote:

First question: The 3TB would be preferred; Would it work ok for me? It's USB. Would I have any problems with it? Otherwise I would go with two 2TBs. Second: Is it really worth it to have TWO sets of external backup drives, which I've heard on some forums. That's somewhere around $500 dollars not counting warranties. If one drive fails on me, couldn't I just quickly buy another drive and transport the data from one to another? What are the chances of both drives dying at the same time? I have my PC on a desk, away from water, and connected to a Power Surge Protector.

First - No real difference. The 3TB may be slower. Depends on the RPM of the HDD.
Second - I have two internal Samsung Spinpoint F3's. 1 TB each. The risk of one of them to fail is very minor.
I'd just keep one External HDD for the most important files. (Which I should mention, that I do not even own).

You should note that the SATA II connection is faster than the USB 2.0 connection, also. As far as I know, that is.

 

[Deverica Wolf]

Thank you for your response. You're like the first person to give me a real clear answer.

Quote:

HDD links doesn't work.

Yeah, they couldn't 'cause they were wrong!

Don't copy from a prior post you made, copy from the edit text.

I fixed 'em.

Quote:

I'd really, really recommend a larger PSU. Your specs link says 300W, and that's hardly sufficient for your current hardware. Also, I'd go for a new case. A larger one, with more spaces for HDD's.

Again, you're right. I meant to double check and yeah it's 300. Like I said, this PC is only temporary. I'm gonna get a huge gaming PC in three months. Soon this is going to my mom for simple internet browsing and music playing. But when you say "insufficient", do you mean for the HDs I'm gonna buy? Will they work with the 300W or will there be problems? If I'm to get a new PSU, what size world be compatible with my motherboard?

Quote:

First - And well, SATA II is compatible with SATA II. So certainly, they are compatible with your current system. Your mobo got to have SATA II ports. It also depends on the number of SATA II ports on your mobo. Are there sufficient for your needs ? Google the compatibility between SATA II and SATA III. Don't worry about keeping the HDD's cool. They should be good, really. Eventually buy a second fan and plug it in, if you have any fan slots left.

Yeah, I have one SATA data port left but no cable and I also gotta get a 4-pin to 15-pin for my SATA power cord though I have not been able to find a good quality cord for either online. I only have one fan slot. THIS PC was bought very quickly with limited internet use which is why I'm giving it to my mom for simple use.

Quote:

Second - WD is usually pretty splendid. But I truly have no idea about the particular hard drives. Google is your friend.

I fixed the links if you'd be so kind to take a second look. I have searched Google but I'd like a second opinion.

Quote:

First - No real difference. The 3TB may be slower. Depends on the RPM of the HDD. Second - I have two internal Samsung Spinpoint F3's. 1 TB each. The risk of one of them to fail is very minor. I'd just keep one External HDD for the most important files. (Which I should mention, that I do not even own). You should note that the SATA II connection is faster than the USB 2.0 connection, also. As far as I know, that is.

Because of the limited room, I have no choice. But since it's just for storage, it should be fine.

Thanks for the answers. If you could answer my new question and take a look at the links, please respond whenever you get a chance. Thank you.

 

[p4p3r]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deverica Wolf Again, you're right. I meant to double check and yeah it's 300. Like I said, this PC is only temporary. I'm gonna get a huge gaming PC in three months. Soon this is going to my mom for simple internet browsing and music playing. But when you say "insufficient", do you mean for the HDs I'm gonna buy? Will they work with the 300W or will there be problems? If I'm to get a new PSU, what size world be compatible with my motherboard?

I'm not entirely sure, but I would go for a well branded 400W at least. It should be somewhat cheap.
A big hard drive doesn't consume much power, but 300W is hardly enough for your system at load.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deverica Wolf THIS PC was bought very quickly with limited internet use which is why I'm giving it to my mom for simple use.

Ah, now it makes more sense. I must have overlooked something badly. Or just mixed things.
Wouldn't a single internal 2TD HDD be more than enough then ? And then one external for back-up stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deverica Wolf I fixed the links if you'd be so kind to take a second look. I have searched Google but I'd like a second opinion.

Sure.
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...review-14.html - The internal drive. It should be pretty good. The only real con is the prize. But if it's durable and depenable, it should be alright.

About the externals - The higher amount of GB you buy, the cheaper pr. GB. Most externals are alright, but usually no match for internal drives.
I'd say the 3 GB should be fine.