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+--- Thread: best way to connect internal hard drives to a pre-build computer? (/t-best-way-to-connect-internal-hard-drives-to-a-pre-build-computer)
best way to connect internal hard drives to a pre-build computer? - jellykrabbypatty - 2025-10-01
Hello,
I am too poor to build a NAS or another computer. I'm tired of using external drives though as they always have some firmware that puts them to sleep. I want to start using the western digital red 20TB drives but what is the best way to connect several to a pre-built computer? I have several USBA and one USBC ports. Is there some sort of USBA to SATA configuration thingy someone can recommend?
RE: best way to connect internal hard drives to a pre-build computer? - KodiUser1138 - 2025-10-02
Are you talking about connecting the external drives still in their enclosures or schucking them to use like any other internal drive? If the former, other than adding USB ports to yout PC I don't know how else. For the later, either PCIE SATA expander card or look into a used HBA (lots of Googling to learn all about those).
And if you are unsure what schucking is, like a clam, it's opening the external case to get that sweet pearl inside. The drives are generally as good if not better than 'internal' drives sold for higher prices.
If you are just buying new drives then look at option 2 above. You can build a sweet set-up with a PC case if it has capacity to hold a number of 3.5" drives and you don't have to go full NAS. I should know, I have 3 PC's with at least 10 drives each in them for my media. Still can't fit 6 other externals into cases. Yet....
RE: best way to connect internal hard drives to a pre-build computer? - jellykrabbypatty - 2025-10-02
(2025-10-02, 08:18 AM)KodiUser1138 Wrote: Are you talking about connecting the external drives still in their enclosures or schucking them to use like any other internal drive? If the former, other than adding USB ports to yout PC I don't know how else. For the later, either PCIE SATA expander card or look into a used HBA (lots of Googling to learn all about those).
And if you are unsure what schucking is, like a clam, it's opening the external case to get that sweet pearl inside. The drives are generally as good if not better than 'internal' drives sold for higher prices.
If you are just buying new drives then look at option 2 above. You can build a sweet set-up with a PC case if it has capacity to hold a number of 3.5" drives and you don't have to go full NAS. I should know, I have 3 PC's with at least 10 drives each in them for my media. Still can't fit 6 other externals into cases. Yet....
Option 2, but not shucking, just buying internal drives. I only have one drive worth shucking and I don't have it backed up to anything so I don't want to take the risk.
I mean buying drives like the Western Digital 20TB Reds (https://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-20TB-Internal-Drive/dp/B09TBF6GHJ?th=1) that are built as internal HDDs and attaching them using a device connected using I/O on a pre-built computer.
PCIE SATA expander cards and HBAs sound promising. Thanks for the advise. I will continue my research!
RE: best way to connect internal hard drives to a pre-build computer? - KodiUser1138 - 2025-10-02
If you are just doing mass low access storage you don't need more expensive NAS built drives. Just my opinion. I just got 2 20TB drives for $320 CAD and Amazon shipped 24TB drives instead. Gave them a check then pulled them from their enclosures and they are Seagate Barracudas that cost over %500 CAD each becaue they are labeled "internal". They are the same things, just marketed differently for higher sales dollars.
PCIE SATA expansion cards are cheaper but can be a bit buggy to get working well. Sometimes a port just won't connect. Nature of the lower end gear. A used HBA on ebay should not give you issues, but they generate more heat and use enterprise type cables which also cost more. Both are decent options though, case size and budget depending. Overall you won't need blazing fast 10GIG speeds for media playback.
RE: best way to connect internal hard drives to a pre-build computer? - jellykrabbypatty - 2025-10-04
(2025-10-02, 10:53 PM)KodiUser1138 Wrote: If you are just doing mass low access storage you don't need more expensive NAS built drives. Just my opinion. I just got 2 20TB drives for $320 CAD and Amazon shipped 24TB drives instead. Gave them a check then pulled them from their enclosures and they are Seagate Barracudas that cost over %500 CAD each becaue they are labeled "internal". They are the same things, just marketed differently for higher sales dollars.
PCIE SATA expansion cards are cheaper but can be a bit buggy to get working well. Sometimes a port just won't connect. Nature of the lower end gear. A used HBA on ebay should not give you issues, but they generate more heat and use enterprise type cables which also cost more. Both are decent options though, case size and budget depending. Overall you won't need blazing fast 10GIG speeds for media playback.
I see. Thank you for the advise!
