Have ssd best config for ext drive?

I have ordered a Dell m1330 with a 64 gb SSD drive. My thought was to buy an external 2.5" drive and enclosure using USB but USB is very slow.
I realized that the Dell has SATAII internal but no port. Can I use an express card with SATA ports to connect with the Dell for data and use an external power supply for power or use a usb connector for power since I don't think the SATA ports provide power. Will I then get the SATA speed 2500-3000Gbs?

Any specific hardware suggestions?
Will it work?
Hard drive suggestions 320gb?
Enclosure suggestions?

Thanks

 

I was in the same predicament a few weeks ago and this is what I did. I bought a Rosewill RC-605 eSATA expresscard from NewEgg for 19 dollars along with an IcyDock eSATA/USB enclosure (3.5" - personally, I went for the 3.5" because there was a very good deal running on the 500gb Seagate SATAII 7200.10 drive when I looking at purchasing, but you could go for a 2.5" enclosure as well - I recommend the Vantec NexstarIII eSATA enclosure). Once installed, the eSATA external HD works pretty much like an internal SATA drive, with a max throughput of about 3Gbps, although you will never actually see that high of transfer rates. To answer your last questions:

eSATA Express Card - Get anyone with the silicon image controller (I bought the Rosewill because it was cheaper)
Enclosure - 2.5" - Vantec Nexstar III, 3.5" - IcyDock 3.5" USB/eSATA enclosure
*Note that if you buy the 2.5" eSATA enclosures, many dont include a power adapter, so you would need to use the included usb cable to draw power from the USB port.
Hard Drive - 2.5" (depending on what capacity you require and whether you plan on running programs off of your drive, I would recommend a Seagate 7200 rpm drive); 3.5" Seagate xxxGB 7200.10 drive.

And lastly, yes....It will work. The capacity of the SSD is a big limitation factor, and I just needed an external drive that I could run certain non-everyday programs off of. I will eventually get a 2.5" drive for the enclosure and start utilizng that since it would be more portable.

Good Luck!

 

booji, good info! repped.

For me, I have a 250GB external HDD at home, so I just keep the documents and games with my M1330...now I installed 9 games and still have 11.7GB left...

 

Great advice Booji, have repped you. Bought Nextar 3 and WD 320G 5400 2.5" drive. Pny adapter card sucks since a bunp looses connection.
Nextar is nice with ESATA and USB ports and cables also included PCI adapter for desktop all in a jewel like small case with carrying case. It also has 5v DC input. USB cables are slick since the power cable supports an extension to the two usb ports on a M1330 (around the machine). The connector is actually a t connector whitch may allow for a through connector for another USB device.

Very fast using ESATA very slow with USB2. Thanks for the info.

Spdrush

 

Sure,

I am glad that everything worked out for you!