HD Enclosures

[dirtwarrior]

Could someone recommend a good enclosure for a 3.5 HD? I want it to be ide interface inside. USB 2.0 and 1.1 outside. A fan, and able to format drive from within enclosure. Well also look good too.

dirt

[Chozo4]

Most enclosures (even the 5 1/4 ones have mounting brackets for smaller devices (3.5" HD).

If you don't mind the slightly larger ones, I'd recommend this one from CompUSA...

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_in...17414&pfp=srch1

That's the one I currently use and GOD does it look good. It has no fan however but there is a gap between the two covers (top/bottom) for passive cooling. Can assemble/dissassemble by unscrewing the knobs (feet/columns) as they are also the screws. Very simple to swap out drives with it. If you need extra cooling, put small washes in between the lids to increase the gaps. The enclosure is USB1.1/2.0 + Firewire (IEEE1394) capable. The product specs don't indicate that you can use it with 3.5" disks but they fit/mount flawlessly.

There are ones made by ADS Technologies which are 5 1/4 and 3.5 enclosures. They are USB 1.1/2.0 (no firewire unless you get the firewire only model) enclosures which DO have a tiny fan in the bottom but only under the circut board inside. To note: I have had problems with all ADS drives I've bought (2, 1 of each listed) whereas it would stop accepting ANY input/Stop 'existing' randomly after a couple minutes. Would still be there and listed but just 'stop working'.

5.25" drive/3.5" kit - http://www.adstech.com/products/USB_2_Driv...sp?pid=USBX-804

3.5" kit - http://www.adstech.com/products/USBX_835/i...asp?pid=USBX835

NOTE: Using 5.25" enclosures for your hard disks have an added bonus of being able to use it with HDD coolers and heatsinks.

Edited March 5, 2006 by Chozo4