[jersey]

Do I really need to get an external enclosure with a fan?

I am getting ready to build another external hard drive and wondering wether or not I need and enclosure with a fan

Currently I have a 160 gig drive in an enclosure with a fan, and jesus it's loud.

I do a decent amount of video work, so I am leaning towards yes,, but wanted a few opinions

-j

[ginoledesma]

Get one with the fan. It helps somewhat with the heat dissipation, especially if you're using a fast drive and a packed enclosure. Otherwise, there're those cool-looking aluminum enclosures that cost a LOT more.

[zigzag]

I don't think you need a fan unless you're working in unusually hot conditions. I'm running 3 externals now (2 OWCs and 1 SanMax) without fans and with no problems. I trust WiebeTech's judgment, and they don't use fans.

I read somewhere that the fans that used to be more common were mostly needed to cool the onboard power supplies, not the drives. Most enclosures now have outboard power supplies.

[brickcam]

My aluminum enclosure from Macally was only $30. I couldn't imagine going back to the fan.

[ginoledesma]

I forgot to mention that I'm in the Philippines were temperatures are much higher than what I'd expect in the US, so fans are almost essential. However, the fans that I've seen on most enclosures look like the cheap, sleeve-bearing type. They're barely audible, and sometimes I wonder just how much help they render.

[brickcam]

It's undeniable that temperature drastically increases hd failure, so any cooling possible is a good idea.

[jaimzedup]

Originally posted by brickcam:
My aluminum enclosure from Macally was only $30. I couldn't imagine going back to the fan.

How did you get it for $30?!?

I went to Macally's website and this is what I found for aluminum enclosures:
http://www.macally.com/spec/firewire...enclosure.html
that one runs for $89!

[brickcam]

Guess it was closer to $35.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10362838

sold out there; anyway, the point is they can be found for cheap.

[Tee]

Just a note on the MacAlly aluminum enclosures.

-They lack an ON/OFF switch - they are always on unless you pull the plug.
-They are not Oxford911 based.

[brickcam]

Both true. I am a big fan of those switch extension cords at Ace Hardware or anywhere else that provide an on-off switch for any device. I use a couple around the house; also useful because I don't have to hunt around for the device itself (I mount the switch on my desk).