BleepingComputer.com: Installing a 3.5'' internal drive in a 3.5'' external slot

I'm thinking of getting a 3.5'' internal drive. It's 7200 rpm and 6 gb/s transfer rate, it's a good upgrade and it's on sale too from Newegg.

The only problem is there is one 3.5'' internal drive bay, and it's occupied. This case comes with about 4 or 5 drive bays. There are 2 3.5'' external drive bays, and one is unoccupied.

Just wanted to know if I could fit the 3.5'' internal drive in the external drive slot without problem. Also curious about any considerations I should be aware of, like power increase, or how to calculate a potential power increase. I think I have a 500 or 600 W power supply so I should be good in that regard.

OS : Windows XP
Hard Drive I am interested in: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136794&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL042111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL042111-_-EMC-042111-Index-_-InternalHardDrives-_-22136794-L03A

PC Specs:
Drive bays (available)
Bay type Quantity
5.25" external Two (One available)
3.5" external Two (One available)
3.5" internal One (None available)

This post has been edited by ixcuincle: 21 April 2011 - 10:14 PM

An external bay will work just as well as an internal one. They're pretty much the same thing except one has a hole in the front to poke out of.

This post has been edited by Andrew: 21 April 2011 - 10:17 PM

Alright, good to hear. Is the cover necessary or can I just insert the drive into the slot? I'd prefer ease, but if the cover is necessary I will look into acquiring one through the internet.

I believe it should fit. Also does your motherboard have a 6gb/s SATA?

killerx525, on 21 April 2011 - 10:21 PM, said:

Don't know what that would look like, but I did notice a white connector next to the current data cable connector when I opened the computer up a few days ago to look around.

What is the model of your motherboard?

A cover is not strictly necessary but is recommended.

To reduce the dust from coming in to your case

killerx525, on 21 April 2011 - 10:27 PM, said:

Here are the PC Specs.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00572530&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

"Motherboard

Manufacturer: Asus
Motherboard Name: A8AE-LE
HP/Compaq motherboard name: AmberineM-GL6E"

Your motherboard does not have a 6 gb/s slot. It would be a waste of money to buy it. You should look for a hard drive like this.

Alright, thanks for helping prevent me from making a mistake. Really wouldn't have been much of a point buying a drive that doesn't work.

Does the motherboard support 2 HD's? If so, there's another drive that is also 3 gb/s that has 1.5 gigs, but is "WD Green". My only concern is whether gaming applications can be run off this, from comments on that site it appears those 3 gb/s drives are for backup only.

just a observation ,you are concerend with the drive running games ,from your specs you don't even have a gaming computer

caperjac, on 22 April 2011 - 10:12 AM, said:

From those specs, yeah, but I put in a GPU and PSU so it should be fine. I'm not looking to play mind-numbing intensive games here like Crysis 2 or anything really new. The computer runs most games fine.

ixcuincle, on 22 April 2011 - 01:00 PM, said:

ok, that sound great .
also the green drive is made for less power consumption ,run cooler ,down side is they are slower, only 5400rpm ,the black drive is faster at 7200rpm

You want speed on your side for gaming