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    500gb external w/o Power suply = possible ?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Frank88, Aug 17, 2008.

  1. Frank88

    Frank88 Notebook Geek

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    Im searching for an external HDD with 500gb or more space that won't need to be necessary plugged in the wall with an adaptor. I would prefer if it as an eSata port but could be ok with Usb.

    I know that some 2.5'' enclosure could do that but I can't find where to buy a 500gb 2.5'' without being hyper expensive and i would like to know if there somewhere a 3.5'' enclosure that could be self-powered by usb...

    Thanks in advance
     
    Frank88, Aug 17, 2008
    #1
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    No 3.5" drive can be powered off a single USB port. You're going to have to stick with 2.5" drives for that.
     
    Greg, Aug 17, 2008
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  3. Clutch

    Clutch cute and cuddly boys

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    I think some Maxtar have the ability to plug into 2 usb ports to get extra power. I would look at cnet to check
     
    Clutch, Aug 17, 2008
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  4. NAS Ghost

    NAS Ghost Notebook Deity

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    What you would have to do is getting something like the Samsung Spinpoint ( notebook )500GB model and put that in a 2.5in enclosure.
     
    NAS Ghost, Aug 17, 2008
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  5. Frank88

    Frank88 Notebook Geek

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    Got any idea how much would it cost for this particular 2.5'' HDD ?

    i only see 250gb models on newegg
     
    Frank88, Aug 17, 2008
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  6. NAS Ghost

    NAS Ghost Notebook Deity

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    NAS Ghost, Aug 17, 2008
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  7. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    There are several 500GB 2.5" HDDs. At the moment, only the Samsung uses the standard 9.5mm (3/8") thickness. Enclosures which will hold the thicker HDDs are rare. A ready-made unit does exist (in Europe).

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 18, 2008
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  8. NAS Ghost

    NAS Ghost Notebook Deity

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    Precisely I said samsung spinpoint. I just have one question myself and if any one knew that would be nice; why is it that other companies increased the height to 11.5mm and samsung kept it at 9.5mm? When i first saw the Hitachi ones an noticed that, i automatically figured that it was to accommodate the third platter, but seeing the samsung at 9.5mm made me think otherwise.
     
    NAS Ghost, Aug 18, 2008
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  9. jisaac

    jisaac Notebook Deity

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    i suppose samsung just spent the money on the research to do it, in order to produce a hd that was viable for most consumers. one word of warning though, the HM500LI although having a very high throughput, has dreadfully slow access times, which really affects its performance.
     
    jisaac, Aug 18, 2008
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  10. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Samsung decided it was worth the effort to squeeze the extra platter into the standard height. I don't know how they did it but there are clearly performance compromise such as the slower access time mentioned above and higher power consumption.

    I'm a little surprised, since we have 320GB 7200rpm HDDs, that there aren't 2 platter 400GB 5400rpm drives also available.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 18, 2008
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  11. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I think Samsung has also released a 400GB drive. I've only seen it in Germany though.
     
    Phil, Aug 18, 2008
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  12. NAS Ghost

    NAS Ghost Notebook Deity

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    I remember seeing something about a 400GB model as well.
     
    NAS Ghost, Aug 18, 2008
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  13. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    It was the Samsung SpinPoint M6 (HM400LI)
     
    Phil, Aug 18, 2008
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  14. Frank88

    Frank88 Notebook Geek

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    Yeah but as for my post... I think im gonna wait or something because 200 bucks + the enclosure for 500gb is like theft vs 3.5'' external devices (around 100bucks).

    Any idea on how much watts does the 3.5'' uses ? because if its not too much i could make a 12v DC battery pack to power the enclosure wherever I go without having to plug it in a wall
     
    Frank88, Aug 18, 2008
    #14
  15. kaltmond

    kaltmond Clepple

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    IT´s much cheaper than the 500er.

    500G <-> 400G ---- 137€ <-> 81€.....
     
    kaltmond, Aug 23, 2008
    #15