i want to install two sata drives, i am out of intenal bay , all i got is a 3.5 external bay and a 5.25 external bay, i want to know which would be better of to get in the long run since i want to run this pc as my ftp server, would installng the hard drive with rails be best or installing the hard drives with a built in case enclosure with fan. i dont really know alot about hd case enclosures do the fans really keep the drives cooler and would the speeds be the same or slower? and during the instalation can i use the power cord supply that are in my pc to conect to the hard drives or will i have to buy separte power cords to conect to the hard drive?
i know i may be asking for a lil to much of help but i will really apreciate it if some pc guro or a regular joe that knows a thing or two about what im talking about can help me out :)
I like this 'iCage' device,
The Thermaltake iCage Device Module is designed to convert three 5.25? bays into three 3.5? HDD bays. It also offers an ideal cooling solution for the three hard drives it accommodates with a powerful 120 mm fan. While designed for the Thermaltake Armor Case, the iCage is compatible with any ATX case with three consecutive open 5.25? bays. http://www.thermaltake.com/xaserCase/icage/icage.htm Note: this is still an internal device, wired from PS.
Are you thinking of getting an external enclosure, bustafree?
If you can stuff 2 harddisks into your case somewhere without getting them too hot, just do it.
That usually means 1 by the floppy, and others up in the 5.25" bay(s). If you have room with your 3.5" bays (or no floppy) then you won't need the rails I guess.
The temperature of your HDs doesn't really affect their speed; it affects their lifespan and reliability (which are much more important).
L8R
i plan to intall 2 hard drives one in a 5.25 external bay and another one in a empty zip drive bay 3.5 external bay. since i want to run a ftp server and have it on all day i think an external enclosure with a built in fan will be the best to insure a longer life span. i am concerned with the speeed will conecting my hard drive with an external enclosure affect the speed? a friend shot me a link to some site that sell external hard drive enclosures, they look real cheap but i dont want to start buying stuff before knowing if they are good quality or just garbage.
I suggest using an internal IDE ATA/133 Ultra HD or an SATA Internal hard drive depending on whether or not your motherboard supports it. SATA is much faster than IDE and internal IDE is much faster than an external HD.
The network connection will of course affect the ftp download or upload. Are you hooked up with DSL or Cable modem or hooked with a T1 or T3??
The best options to go for for good speed are either Firewire 800 (assuming your motherboard and the enclosure support it) or better still External S-ATA. You can get a card for this, or the A8N-SLi motherboards by Asus support it on their backplate. e-SATA is the best option because its the same internal interface without anything taken out so you still get the full transfer rate.
