Which TB route to take...

[Tifosi248F1]

I'm looking for a 1tb drive for backup purposes. I do a lot of video editing and work with huge files that just eat away at my space. What I want is a drive to use to move all my completed projects as temporary (4-6 months) storage so I can free up space on my RAID array that I use while I'm working on the files. I've got 4 drives in my system already so I need an external solution, the question is which one. Do I go with an external package like a WD My Book/Maxtor OneTouch/Seagate Free Agent...or do I get an internal TB drive and an external enclosure? Since it's for storage I'm not concerned with pure speed. I don't have a problem waiting to move files and I won't be trying to run any editing processes from files on the drive. What is most important is reliability. I want the safest, simplest, most reliable way to keep my files tucked away until I need it again or until I feel I can safely delete it knowing I won't need it anymore. What solution would anyone recommend? Which external drive or internal drive and enclosure, likely one with good cooling. I'm hoping to keep it under $350, preferably closer $300 or less.

 

[Tifosi248F1]

No one has any opinions?

 

[SickBeast]

Well, you have four options:

1. WD "greenpower" drive
2. Samsung F1
3. Hitachi
4. Seagate

Of those, the Samsung is the best performer by a fair margin, followed by the Hitachi, then the Seagate, then the WD drive.

Just keep in mind that the Samsung has some known compatibility issues with many NV chipsets. Apparently you can disable NCQ as a workaround.

As far as an enclosure goes, I'm very happy with my Vantec Nexstar, but YMMV. Try to get something with eSATA if you can. AFAIK the WD drives can be bought in external enclosures. :beer:

 

[n7]

I'd personally likely get either the Samsung F1 (if performance is the goal), or the WD Green Power (if good pricing is the goal).

Actually i already got that Green Power one, as it can be found for significantly cheaper than the others, at least here in Canada.
I'd never want a 1 TB HDD as my main boot drive anyway, so i don't care about performance.

The Seagate does give the nice long 5 yr. warranty, so i suppose that's a benefit as well...frankly there are pros & cons to all of them

 

[Tifosi248F1]

Yea I've seen the WD drives on sale, but I stayed away since they're slower. For a backup system they probably wouldn't be a bad choice. I've got to find 2 good performance 500/640 gig drives to upgrade my RAID, so most of my money will end up going to those.

 

[Roush2960]

I work for a large disk array storage company (Eng dept).

We make a system that now use's SATA storage drives 1280 spanned iinto one system.

I can recommend Hatachi or Seagate and highly do if you want a drive that will last.

Fugi - Good performace but $$

WD - not a enterprise drive and die quick fast in a hurry like - STAY AWAY.

./M@

 

[gssmind]

My friend has two of these puppies and he has been using it now for 2 years without any issues.
If you want to keep it under $300 to $350 here is my suggestion:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822204022
They are about $280 but have plenty or room; plus they are portable.
We store Movies on them currently and stream it from the media center with no issues.