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USB vs Firewire ext harddrive

post #1 of 32
5/8/04 at 11:28pm
Thread Starter 
Trying to decide which Lacie harddrive to get from Dell. Right now I can get either in the 160gb size for $127 including shipping with the $25 off discount from buying my computer, 10% off all storage right now, plus free shipping. I've heard the firewire is faster, but I only have a firewire port on 3 of the 6 computers I want to be able to use it on.

So, how much speed difference is there really???

Thanks,
Jason
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post #2 of 32
5/8/04 at 11:36pm
I've not done any extensive comparison on this but I believe that USB 2.0 is theoretically faster than firewire. 480mbit/sec vs Firewire's 400. That could be totally wrong, someone feel free to correct me.

However, I've used my external harddrive on both Firewire and USB2.0 and it worked perfectly fine both times. Very fast all around. My advice would be to get the USB 2.0 if that'll be more accessible and useful to you. Any speed difference would be insignificant.
Tim
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post #3 of 32
5/9/04 at 12:14am
Firewire is faster all around because it is 400mbit/sec sustained transfer rates as opposed to USB2.0, which has a maximum burst speed of 480mbit/sec. This means that tranfering large files will be faster on Firewire because it tranfers at that constant rate whereas USB2.0 will vary in speed and overall will be slower.
I actually have just gotten a Firewire LaCie D2 external HD myself and its great.
The other advantage to firewire is that it won't take up one of your precious USB2.0 ports, and it is like a daisy chain, you don't lose that Firewire port as the drive has another one built in which you can still link up to.
Just note that the drive would only come with a 6- to 6-pin firewire cable so you'll need to buy a 4- to 6-pin cable in order to use the drive on your laptop.
stu
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post #4 of 32
5/9/04 at 12:58am
Also during heavy loads the USB drive uses a lot more CPU cycles than the Firewire drive does.
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post #5 of 32
5/9/04 at 1:46am
Any suggestion on a 3.5 Harddrive case? I have a 200GB harddrive but it's still in the box because I need to get one of the external case to connect to my laptop. Any suggestion? I need one soon.. Thanks
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post #6 of 32
5/9/04 at 2:05am
I've got this guy from Bytecc:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-320&depa=0

It comes in USB 2.0 (link above), Firewire, or both (which I have). It's a great item, easy to install and has worked flawlessly since I got it.

Just my 2 cents.

Tim
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post #7 of 32
5/9/04 at 2:50am
Cool Thanks, oh one last question, this may be a stupid one. is 1394 the same as Firewire? ^^ Oh also if it's not then are 1394 slower than firewire and usb2? I want to get a HD External Enclosure for my i8600 so far Bytecc.. any other suggestions? Thankss



ps.. I was thinking about http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-745&depa=0
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post #8 of 32
5/9/04 at 3:03am
its the same, 1394 is just the IEEE designation.
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post #9 of 32
5/9/04 at 4:52am


And also, that case that you pointed out should be fine, a little fugly IMO but each to his own.

stu
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post #10 of 32
5/9/04 at 11:21am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the responses! I had heard that while the peak transfer rates were higher for the USB 2.0 that the Firewire was a higher sustained rate. I do have a 4 pin to 6 pin adapter that came with my iPod, so that wouldn't be a problem. I think, though, that I'm going to go with the USB just because that is way more common among the PC's I use. Besides, I am just using it for storage/backup anyway... For the current price I could always buy a new case for it down the road with both - $127 for a 160gb harddrive is hard to beat, specially when it includes a case!

Thanks again,
Jason
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post #11 of 32
5/9/04 at 12:23pm
haha what does fugly IMO mean? ^^
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post #12 of 32
5/9/04 at 1:56pm
can you play games off of an external 7200 hard drive via firewire? or would it be too slow?
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post #13 of 32
5/9/04 at 2:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mocolt
haha what does fugly IMO mean? ^^
Fugly - You just have to know what this means.
IMO - "In my opinion."
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post #14 of 32
5/9/04 at 3:45pm
I own one of each (FW & USB) and can't tell a real-world difference in speeds. One other possible consideration - I've found that several boot-type utilites (Acronis, ERD, etc.) will recognize a USB connected HD but not a firewire HD. This may not be an issue for you, however.
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post #15 of 32
5/10/04 at 2:07am
going back to the original post, is there a differance between the two? besides the speed comparison.
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post #16 of 32
5/10/04 at 4:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mocolt
haha what does fugly IMO mean? ^^
Well Wooster covered it well, and as for what fugly means... it is made up of two parts:

1. F
2. UGLY

I'm sure you can get what the F stands for with a bit of imagination

stu
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post #17 of 32
5/10/04 at 9:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosky
going back to the original post, is there a differance between the two? besides the speed comparison.
Real-world firewire speed is usually equal or better to USB2. Firewire also puts less of a load on the CPU. These points have both been made earlier in the thread.

The only reason not to get firewire would be if you have a laptop without a firewire port (sure you can buy a PC card adapter, but that's a hassle) or if you're worried about bringing your drive other places and not being able to plug it in.
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post #18 of 32
5/10/04 at 9:48am
But 99% of laptops made in the last year or so will sport at least one 4-pin firewire port so its not usually a hassle
stu
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post #19 of 32
5/10/04 at 10:44am
hehe thanks guys for all the input but toward the end, anyone suggest a case with combo for my laptop. I really need to buy one soon. Thanks
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post #20 of 32
5/10/04 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mocolt
hehe thanks guys for all the input but toward the end, anyone suggest a case with combo for my laptop. I really need to buy one soon. Thanks
"case with combo"? You need a case for your laptop? If so, I've got the Samsonite XT450 (you can find it at ebags.com) and it's wonderful. Fit everything and then some!

Tim
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