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    External Hard Drive firewire speed question - 6 pin vs 4 pin...

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by nmsystms, Aug 6, 2006.

  1. nmsystms

    nmsystms Notebook Enthusiast

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    I need to purchase an external hard drive for my notebook and was thinking about getting the WD My Book Premium 500GB. This drive has both USB and firewire. I want to use this drive with firewire because I was told that transfer speeds would be faster.

    The only problem is that the drive only comes with a 6 pin to 6 pin cable. Most laptop have a 4 pin firewire port. Would a 6 pin to 4 pin cable be any slower than the 6 to 6?

    Also does it matter which cable I get? I think I saw them for about $20-$30 in the stores but only a few bucks on eBay. Do you think there would be any difference in speed/quality?
     
    nmsystms, Aug 6, 2006
    #1
  2. Gautam

    Gautam election 2008 NBR Reviewer

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    I used an adaptor to convert the 6 pin to a 4 pin for my acer. I am also interested in knowing the answer to the question "Does the 4 pin get the same speeds as the 6 pin."

    I feel like two less pins means slower speeds, but I don't know.
     
    Gautam, Aug 6, 2006
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  3. brain_stew

    brain_stew Notebook Consultant

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    I'm far from an expert but I'm sure I read the two extra pins are just for power so the loss of them shouldn't affect speeds.
     
    brain_stew, Aug 6, 2006
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  4. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I think so aswell, two more pins means the firewire port is powered.
     
    usapatriot, Aug 6, 2006
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  5. ScifiMike12

    ScifiMike12 Drinking the good stuff

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    There is no difference, they will both run at the same speeds, up to 400Mbs.
     
    ScifiMike12, Aug 6, 2006
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  6. dudesdudets

    dudesdudets Notebook Deity

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    As mentioned above there is absoluteley no difference in terms of speed.
     
    dudesdudets, Aug 6, 2006
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