External drive for storage and file transfer: In daily use, with respect to photo image file transfer speed, what kind of difference between an external hard drive and external SSD -...

Hanson

In daily use, with respect to photo image file transfer speed, what kind of difference between an external hard drive and external SSD - the external drive is connect to a Windows computer full-time.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Hanson wrote:

In daily use, with respect to photo image file transfer speed, what kind of difference between an external hard drive and external SSD - the external drive is connect to a Windows computer full-time.

Depends on the interface. If it’s USB-2, the access time will be faster, but the transfer speed will be similar. If USB-3 or eSATA, the transfer speed of the SSD will probably benchmark at about 4-5x that of a typical HD. The speed of the HD depends an several items including where on the disk the file is located (outer tracks are substantially faster), if the blocks are sequential (not fragmented) and if the read cache is effective. A fast 7200 RPM HD MAY achieve 150 MB/sec on the outside tracks with a large sequential file, but a more reasonable average number across the entire disk is more like 100 MB/sec, and a 5,400 RPM drive will be slower. A USB-3 or 6Gb eSATA connected SSD will probably benchmark at 500-550 MB/sec.

Hanson

Thank you, TriX. So I may say that for moving files between the external and the C drive, I am looking at 4-5X difference. Access time (USB-3) for SSD is faster of course, bit no way to measure.

Ourspolair

A cheaper and faster alternative is to put an SSD in the computer... Not difficult to remove if you need to, or buy an internal SSD and put it in a $25 external enclosure.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Hanson wrote:

Thank you, TriX. So I may say that for moving files between the external and the C drive, I am looking at 4-5X difference. Access time (USB-3) for SSD is faster of course, bit no way to measure.

Depends on the C: drive. If it’s an SSD also, then yes. But if it’s a conventional HD, then that will be the limiting factor regardless of what you hook up externally.

photoman43

Here is another alternative, one that I am using most of the time.

I buy a 1 TB SSD drive, the kind that you install in a computer, an internal 2.5 inch SSD drive.

https://www.newegg.com/samsung-860-evo-series-1tb/p/N82E16820147673

Then I also buy a external SSD drive enclosure case and install the SSD in it. It is simple, takes less than a minute. Plug and play.

Then I use the supplied USB cable to attach it to my laptop of desktop. This allows for heat buildup to dissipate faster.

My enclosure case is made by Sabrent. Model EC UM 30.

https://www.sabrent.com/product/EC-UM30/ultra-slim-usb-3-0-2-5-inch-sata-external-aluminum-hard-drive-enclosure-silver/

The USB 3 cable (male to male) that comes with it is very robust and better made than the usual cables that come with external SSD drives.

Many companies offer such enclosure cases. Check this out.

This is a good way to repurpose a SSD that might be in an old laptop or desktop.

iSilentP Loc: Ohio

I use various external USB3 drives. Mostly now 8TB, but I am contemplating moving to some higher capacity drives. There's a sweet deal right now on 14TB one at Best Buy. $189.00! That's about what I paid for 8TB (Seagate) as recent as 1 month ago.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-easystore-14tb-external-usb-3-0-hard-drive-black/6425303.p?skuId=6425303

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

iSilentP wrote:

I use various external USB3 drives. Mostly now 8TB, but I am contemplating moving to some higher capacity drives. There's a sweet deal right now on 14TB one at Best Buy. $189.00! That's about what I paid for 8TB (Seagate) as recent as 1 month ago.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-easystore-14tb-external-usb-3-0-hard-drive-black/6425303.p?skuId=6425303

The question is what is the quality of the drive in that enclosure. And the second question is, how are you going to back up that 14TB, and if that drive goes belly up, are you willing to lose 14TB of data. “Big” storage is a mixed blessing - painful to back up and a huge loss of data if it fails. Personally, I would prefer to have a mirrored pair of smaller, enterprise class drives. It’s not as simple as $/TB, but just my opinion.

iSilentP Loc: Ohio

I agree with most of your comments. I double up on all my external drive backups and also create 2x CDs--old days and now DVDs. Second copy of each off-site. I have a lot of data CDs/DVD and hard drives from as early back as 1987. I've yet to come across any bad media. Honestly I have not tested each and every one, but I have everything indexed in text files and whenever I needed anything, I have yet to be disappointed. I have come across a few internal IDE/SCSI drives that have had the click-of-death, but I don't recall any of my external drives with that demise.

Most crucial photos/videos also end up in the cloud. I use automation scripts and utilities on the Mac to keep everything in sync. Pretty easy, for me, actually, but YMMV.

Hanson

Thank you guys for all your feedback. It sure helps me. BTW I also think that a bunch of not-so-high capacity SSDs is a safer option instead of a huge one (in case of a failure).

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

photoman43 wrote:

Here is another alternative, one that I am using m... (show quote)

I’m close to needing an upgrade to my external drive that travels with me. Currently I take a 1 TB Seagate HHD that is over half full. It is my oldest external drive and I worry about it failing due to age. I want to replace it with a 2 TB SSD. I hadn’t considered buying an internal drive and a case. Is this a better option than buying an external drive and why?

Some reviewers thought they got a gray market drive. Thoughts?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Hanson wrote:

In daily use, with respect to photo image file transfer speed, what kind of difference between an external hard drive and external SSD - the external drive is connect to a Windows computer full-time.

I use memory sticks (thumb drives) I like them, they are inexpensive, durable, long lasting, and have never failed me. U should climb on board. They are available in all memory sizes.
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Cruzer-128GB-Flash-SDCZ36-128G-B35/dp/B00TKFCYP0/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=thumb+drives&qid=1606501804&sr=8-3

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

iSilentP wrote:

I agree with most of your comments. I double up on... (show quote)

👍👍 right answers!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

GrandmaG wrote:

I’m close to needing an upgrade to my external drive that travels with me. Currently I take a 1 TB Seagate HHD that is over half full. It is my oldest external drive and I worry about it failing due to age. I want to replace it with a 2 TB SSD. I hadn’t considered buying an internal drive and a case. Is this a better option than buying an external drive and why?

Some reviewers thought they got a gray market drive. Thoughts?

Not sure what the advantage would be to an internal in a case. I’d just buy a USB connected SSD external - something like a Samsung T5 or similar and just put it in my pocket.

Hanson

GrandmaG wrote:

I’m close to needing an upgrade to my external drive that travels with me. Currently I take a 1 TB Seagate HHD that is over half full. It is my oldest external drive and I worry about it failing due to age. I want to replace it with a 2 TB SSD. I hadn’t considered buying an internal drive and a case. Is this a better option than buying an external drive and why?

Some reviewers thought they got a gray market drive. Thoughts?

An internal drive and a case should be a lot less expensive than an external SSD? That is what I think. Otherwise why bother.