Simple Version:

I need to backup 1GB-80GBs of data twice a week on different clients
machines. I intend to use a USB v1.0 - 2.0 enclosure.

Can the USB (v1.0 or 2.0) interface take advantage of more *advanced* drive
features over the standard 5,400rpm/2MB cache. For example would a newer
7,200rpm/8MB cache be faster at making large back-ups than the older drives
when they were being used via USB?
--
Wayne ][



(Long Version)

Hi all,

I want to *create* an external USB hard-drive that I can use to *backup*
stuff on clients machines when I do a *clean* install of WindowsXP.

I mean their MP3's, word documents, etc. . .

If the data is just like like .docs and doesn't exceed 128MB-256MB I could
just use a USB *pen-drive*, but allot of people now have many GB's of data
in My Documents (DivX, MP3, APE, etc) so I figure the best way to go is to
buy an *External* USB housing and slap in a 40-80GB disk.

I did a bit of research and noticed that *Fire-Wire* is faster in this
situation, but not all machines have a FireWire port, so that's why I am
thinking of USB. I did also notice that you can get External housing that
is both USB and FireWire but I didn't find one for sale yet in U.K.

This is the kit I am thinking of buying:
BELKIN - Hi-Speed USB 2.0 External Drive Enclosure Kit (£58.74 inc VAT UK)

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...USB%2FUSB20%2F

So anyway I am wondering whether I what sort of IDE hard disk to get?.

1) Buy nice shiny new IDE HDD 7,200rpm 8Mb cache
1a) Use this in the new USB v2.0 enclosure to max performance
1b) Use this is my 2nd PC and install old *slower*drive in new USB
enclosure

2) Just buy an older 5,400rpm 2Mb cache
2a) Slap it in the new USB v2.0 enclosure

I don't know if USBv1.1 and USBv2.0 are strong enough to *need* a blazing
drive? also what about the cache, is 2MB or 8MB gonna make any difference.
--
Wayne ][