All Questions
175 questions
14
votes
2
answers
567
views
External SATA enclosure for multiple disks
I'm looking for an external SATA enclosure to host a minimum of 4 standard 3.5" form-factor SATA hard disks.
I currently have a 4-disk enclosure from Vantec that uses a SATA port multiplier but has a ...
- 305
13
votes
3
answers
222
views
>2 TB 2.5 inch HDD
I've searched and searched and can only find one 2.5 inch HDD that is larger than 1TB (Western Digital has one model). 3.5 inch HDDs have kept growing to even 10TB, but 2.5 inch drives seem to have ...
- 1,637
11
votes
2
answers
312
views
Inexpensive Long-term (10-20-year) Archival Storage
Historically, optical media appears to have been the best choice for inexpensive 10-20 year storage, but over the years, optical storage just hasn't kept up:
CD-R was introduced around 1988 with 600-...
- 1,637
10
votes
3
answers
711
views
What options are available for cheap NAS devices that allows to put two hard drives in RAID 1?
I want to create a private cloud on my home, and for this I want to know a good NAS device that performs the following:
Put two or more hard drives on RAID 1.
As cheap as possible.
Allow to install ...
- 203
10
votes
4
answers
252
views
1TB or more HDD for Playstation 4
What type of hard drive should I be looking for a Playstation 4? I am usually partial towards SSD over traditional, but I am also open to the idea of hybrids as well.
I have looked into Samsung 850 ...
- 399
10
votes
1
answer
473
views
Router + External Hard Drive (a.k.a. Home Cloud)
My old router died, and I want to buy a new one.
Also, if I have to change the router, I want to try to see if I can do a setup like: Router + External Hard Drive + an android application maybe.
I ...
- 153
7
votes
2
answers
146
views
Will switching to SSD improve my write performance? [closed]
I have a PostgreSQL server which occasionally hangs for a long time on writes to my hard disks. Sometimes the fsync system calls take more than two minutes to complete.
Now I am wondering if moving ...
- 731
7
votes
3
answers
1k
views
External HDD or SSD for booting operating system from
I boot operating systems like Windows 10, Xubuntu and Remix OS from USB storage.
I bought myself a USB 3 flash drive and thought "Hey, this can do 100 MB/s, it must be awesome for booting an OS from."...
- 325
7
votes
0
answers
89
views
SCSI (SAS) hard disk on SATA port? [closed]
I have a 72GB (15k RPM) SCSI (SAS) HDD from a server machine that I got from a friend which I want to use in my desktop, mainly as the OS drive, but my desktop has only SATA ports. Some online ...
- 253
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Is there a low power consuming device with good CPU to be used as a NAS?
After some research I am inclined towards using an Intel NUC. But considering that there is only one SATA port and an mSATA port (I think), is there any way to add more storage to the NUC?
If not is ...
- 161
6
votes
1
answer
54
views
Alienware X51 & SSD & Kubuntu
I have an alienware X51 with Windows 10 installed in a HDD. I plan to buy a new SSD and install the latest version of Kubuntu (16.10 Yaketty Yak) on it. Ideally, I would like to preserve the dual-boot:...
- 163
6
votes
1
answer
63
views
Advice on a HDD/SDCard docking station
I am looking for a docking station that allows me to easily plugin a IDE or SATA HDD and a SD card. It would be handy if it also allows to "clone/duplicate" between hard disks as I have a few faulty ...
- 71
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Low-cost RAID 5 Linux controller card
I have 6x320GB HDD and I was considering to create a RAID 5 system (it's for storage only).
I use Ubuntu 14.04 and I want to ask what RAID controller card allows for 6 (or more) ports without ...
- 187
6
votes
1
answer
123
views
Looking for a good hdd/external hdd
I'm looking for a way to upgrade my Dell Vostro 470's space for not a lot of money.
Requirements:
Under $50
1TB+ storage
Have the cable for the motherboard with it (if not then add a link to one ...
- 343
5
votes
1
answer
105
views
Will any replacement SATA hard drive work to replace any SATA port?
My serial ATA hard disk broke, so I want to replace it. The SATA drives I've seen online are very diverse in appearance, which makes me skeptical that they work identically. For example, The ports on ...
- 153
5
votes
2
answers
646
views
What hard drive connector is this?
I have an ancient hard drive from an old HP laptop. I haven't looked at it in years. But now I want to get the old data off that hard drive. I have been to all of my local electronics shops but none ...
- 55
5
votes
1
answer
196
views
SSD / HDD choice when write speed is slow - developer workstation and for games
SanDisk Internal SSD 120GB 2.5-Inch SDSSDA-120G-G25 costs Rs. 3600 (~$53)
Sandisk SSD 128gb SATA 2.5, Z400s costs Rs. 3800 (~$56)
SanDisk 128GB SDSSDP-128G-G25 cost Rs. 3900 (~$58)
Samsung 850 EVO ...
- 153
5
votes
1
answer
33
views
Are there any HDD whose firmware can never be updated still being sold these days?
I'm looking to build a robust system for malware research purposes and this is a requirement so I can absolutely trust that the system is clean on a reformat. Mobo firmware is locked down too of ...
- 53
5
votes
1
answer
222
views
mSata upgrade to install system Envy 15-j108el
I own this laptop: HP Envy 15-108el
It comes with 1TB Hard disk and the following mSata drive:
smartctl 6.4 2014-10-07 r4002 [x86_64-linux-4.2.0-23-generic] (local build)
Copyright (C) 2002-14, Bruce ...
- 51
5
votes
0
answers
54
views
2TB NAS HDD Power Supply Recommendations
I'm building a custom NAS as a backup server for multiple laptops in my house. I'm planning on buying four 2TB mechanical SATA hard drives that will be run in RAID 1
(Hard drives: https://www.newegg....
4
votes
1
answer
870
views
5.25" RAM-Disk which takes old DDR RAM
I have about 8 or 10 DDR-2 and 6 DDR-3 modules which I don't really need any more. I wonder whether there's a 5.25" SATA hard disk drive that takes DDR RAM (you can recommend for DDR-2 or DDR-3).
...
- 661
4
votes
0
answers
132
views
Looking for USB flash drive with its Removable Media Bit set
Windows specifically has this annoying issue where it will not allow multiple partitions on a USB flash drive. If you create multiple partitions, Windows will only see the first one. Linux doesn't ...
- 151
4
votes
1
answer
41
views
What reliable HDD to buy for private data archive, 1.5 - 2TB [closed]
I need to buy a new HDD for my private data storage (photographs I take mostly)
Please recommend me what brand / model is less likely to fail/break.
I don't care for performance, I care for ...
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
56
views
Harddisk with Thunderbolt V2 - Backup with Time Machine (OS X)
I am looking for an external harddisk for backup my MacBook Pro (with Time Machine) and I saw there are already "packed" configurations (combos) like theses:
LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt
Transcend ...
- 226
3
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Upgrade HDD to SSD for Dell Inspiron 5558
I have a Dell Inspiron 5558 with following configuration.
Intel Core i5 5250U 1.6GHz
8GB RAM
NVidia 920M 4GB
Windows 10 Updated to latest stable
1TB 5400 RPM WD HDD
Now the problem is, I can't use ...
- 133
3
votes
2
answers
51
views
Small and inexpensive drive?
I am looking for a small drive of some sort for a private server hosted using a desktop computer. The server will be used as a private proxy. I only need around 25-50 GB, but everything I find is ...
- 211
3
votes
1
answer
107
views
PC build for Robotics, Machine Learning and CyberSecurity
I'm planning to build a PC for personal use. I'm studying Swarm Robotics, Machine Learning (for robotics), and Cybersecurity (mainly hacking and pentesting).
From what I've read online, there's not ...
3
votes
1
answer
367
views
What HDD configuration is best for handling rapid read/writes of small files?
I am running a linux system with an app that constantly reads/writes many small files (e.g close to zero bytes) to a point where 1000-4000 files read/written each minute causing disk innodes close to ...
- 131
3
votes
1
answer
65
views
SATA PCIe Controller Card
I’m looking for an affordable SATA PCIe controller card that I can use only PC.
I have 4 x 3TB 3.5” SATA hard drives and want to be able to use them on the new card.
I have read a review of some ...
- 133
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Looking for a storage case for multiple hard drives [closed]
I'm looking for ideally one or a few containers that can store and reasonably protect hard drives sitting in the closet, and that would be easy to pick up and set in a car to transport if needed.
I ...
- 281
3
votes
1
answer
107
views
Large, reliable external HDD for permanent storage
I currently own one external HDD (CnMemory airy 3TB), but it's filled to the brim so I need another one. Since the amount of space I require is growing at an alarming rate, I need a rather large one, ...
- 321
3
votes
1
answer
32
views
looking to power 3.5" drive before connecting to SATA→Thunderbolt2 adapter
I currently have a Segate GoFlex 22-pin SATA to Thunderbolt2 adapter (see images below) where you can switch in and out different 2.5-inch laptop hard drives. The adapter works great, but I would also ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
1k
views
How would you power multiple 3.5" hard drives without using an ATX power supply?
The idea is to grab an Intel NUC and plug one of these SATA to M.2 adapters into the M.2 port to connect four 3.5" HDDs as part of a build-your-own NAS project.
The NUC however, cannot power the hard ...
- 131
2
votes
3
answers
189
views
How can I power SATA HDDs given this motherboard?
First-time asker here (let me know if there's a better stack for this)
I recently bought a secondhand Lenovo ThinkServer TS460, intending to run a home media server on it using UnraidOS. Here's Lenovo'...
2
votes
4
answers
115
views
Long Time Storage Solution
This might be a bit too fictional but here's the scenario. Task is to store small amount of data (Less than 1Mb) for centuries to come.
Environment specs and possible hazards follows:
Usually at room ...
- 123
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Seagate Hard Drive RPM
I'm looking to replace a backup drive that died. I was considering a Seagate Barracuda drive (ST2000DM001) which is listed as 7200 RPM. Amazon reports a newer version of the drive (ST2000DM006), which ...
- 123
2
votes
1
answer
883
views
Pick the right HDD for an unknown connector on HP 17-cn0021nr laptop motherboard
I'm looking for a recommendation on adding storage to the laptop if I don't want to swap the current m2 drive on my laptop.
I have a brand new HP 17-cn0021nr laptop, and I want to upgrade the storage ...
- 123
2
votes
1
answer
46
views
is it good decision to upgrade to ssd?
I have a laptop having 4gb RAM with i3 5th generation, and does not have M2 slot but has CD drive. My laptop speed is very slow now so I decided to add 128gb SSD to it. The service center told me that ...
2
votes
1
answer
84
views
Cheap, reasonable 3TB internal HDD
I'm in need of a 3.5" 3TB HDD to be used as an all-encompassing backup drive for the rest of my data, as I don't currently have a system in place and that needs to change as soon as possible.
Because ...
- 211
2
votes
1
answer
220
views
HDD vs SSD for semi-frequent backups
(Copied from superuser)
With SSDs getting cheaper and more mature, I am thinking of getting some for off-site backups. I would store system images and media backups on it, updated weekly-monthly. The ...
- 23
2
votes
2
answers
792
views
Internal Hard Drive Switcher
Does there exist a cable where I can plug two hard drives into the same motherboard's sata slot and with the flip of a switch (between power-offs) switch between these two hard drives (without having ...
- 363
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is there any rack-mount server case which support massive amount of HDD?
I just need to build my custom storage solution. The enterprise grade solution provided by third part company is too expensive and it doesn't cover my requirements.
I have overview all the mainstream ...
- 41
2
votes
1
answer
41
views
Confusion regarding price difference in two laptops [closed]
I have been considering buying a new laptop and got puzzled regarding price differences between this two models:
HP Envy 13-ah0042tu 2018 13.3-inch Laptop (8th Gen Intel Core i3-8130U/4GB/128GB/...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
53
views
Hard disk case, similar to the included image
The quality of portable hard disks have been underwhelming for me, so I want to use datacenter hard disks to store my data (Some of my data are being accessed and overwritten frequently, so I need ...
- 123
2
votes
1
answer
223
views
How to connect IDE HDD to motherboard with only SATA?
I have a pretty old HDD with IDE cables, and a relatively new motherboard (ASRock 970 extreme4) with only SATA inputs. Is there an adapter or device that will allow me to connect the old IDE HDD ...
- 33
2
votes
1
answer
107
views
USB External Drive fit for constant and heavy usage
So a bit over a year ago, I moved to a new laptop, and connected an external USB hard drive with the files from my old one. Since then, I used the external drive, labeled as Elements (E:), as a second ...
- 23
2
votes
1
answer
45
views
Measuring reliability on newer harddrives in usb 3 enclosures
I used to measure the reliability of my hard drives via S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology), even for my external hard drives in USB enclosures.
My newer hard drives that I ...
- 121
2
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What RAM and SSD can I buy for this motherboard P8Z77-V?
I have my PC and unfortunately, it’s not a new one. I have motherboard P8Z77-V LX. So, I’d like to extend or replace old RAM which’s 8GB to increase it up to 32GB at least cos I want to develop games ...
- 23
2
votes
1
answer
993
views
2.5 inch HDD enclosure with jumper pins?
So I have an old HP laptop which died years ago. I removed the 2.5 Seagate HDD and wanting to use it as external hdd.
However I am confused as to what type of enclosure should be used.
Fyi I have ...
- 23
2
votes
1
answer
104
views
Recommendation: drive which is completely sanitizable
Context: I want to store data in digital format, and then destroy it. Let for the moment put physical destruction of the drive (hammer/degausser) aside.
Question: which non-volatile drives will be ...
- 21