[XP] Internal SATA drive and USB enclosure

[masif]

If I use a USB2 enclosure for my SATA drive, is there a waste of speed? Should I instead consider an e-SATA enclosure or something (is there such a thing?)

What are other ways to connect a SATA drive externally? I have an external SATA port but its behind the computer and not as convenient as the USB ports.

[Train]

eSATA would definately be faster.
But may I suggest reading this whole article which is 6 pages.
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/10/...ta_and_usb2-0/

Seems there are a couple things one needs to know.

[Platypus]

I've used a Vantec eSATA & USB external enclosure for some time. Versatile & works great.

[masif]

I ordered this yesterday.

[puterfixer]

I've got an Antec Veris MX-1, the first active cooled external 3.5" case with eSATA interface, because it's so incredibly quiet. The hard drive works as fast as if it was internal. Basically, the case allows you to easily connect and disconnect a hard drive to a running system.

I don't understand why Tom's Hardware would run a performance test on an external case, when they are actually measuring the performance of the hard drive installed in it.

The eSATA plug in the back of the PC is somewhat inconvenient, and I haven't found a frontal faceplate with a connector that doesn't look flimsy and cheap.

Performance tip: in the external hard drive's properties, you may be able to switch between quick removal and high performance modes. Basically, this enables/disables disk caching and NCQ, if available (may depend on the motherboard and disk features). Quick removal mode can be a tad slower than your internal drive, so keep this in mind if you plan to run some performance tests and something looks fishy.

[Train]

"I don't understand why Tom's Hardware would run a performance test on an external case, when they are actually measuring the performance of the hard drive installed in it."

That was the point, no matter what the eSATA specs are, we are still limited by the read and write speeds of the harddrive. That business applies no matter how the hdd is attached.

[masif]

any comments on what I bought?

[Train]

I have not heard anything about that brand if reference to that external case.

So, give it whirl and let us know what you think of it down the road.