Starting From Scratch With A New PC

DQE · Post by **DQE** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:59 am

I have one of these gadgets, used to plug in what would normally be an internal hard drive, and then access it through USB, etc.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/NewerTec ... Drive_Dock

I'm sure versions of this device are available in UK-specific sites or at Amazon.com

My new PC has USB 3 and the USB 3 version of this HD dock works fine and at much improved USB 3 speeds.

I hope this provides options to access your old internal HDs without having to compromise your new PC configuration. The device is useful in its own right, too. Internal HDs are cheaper than an external drive with its own cabinet, etc. You could in effect make your own external HD with more flexibility than normal.

The biggest single issue I've had is repairability and maintainability of PCs. The low population in my area (Portland, Maine region) no longer supports PC repair shops except through "big box" electronics stores such as Best Buy. The only major vendor that provides local PC service in my area is Apple - I recently learned that they may provide access to credible Windows repairs too since their hardware is now all Intel-based.

My most recent PC purchase was through Puget Systems in the Seattle area, and I've been *exceptionally* pleased with their quality and integrity, etc. I'm hoping that by staying away from exotic features such as water cooling I will be able to get it repaired locally. If not, Puget will repair it but shipping charges are high from Maine to Washington state.

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:23 pm

Thanks Phil,

There are other gadgets, such as IDE/SAT converters, IDE/USB PCI Port controllers, etc, all cheaper. Part of the problem is that possibly all my USB post are USB1 but I must check out this one.

Harold

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:33 pm

ChrisRaper wrote:I'm by no means an expert on PC hardware but my understanding of modern high-spec graphics cards is that the majority of their functionality is focused on high-end gaming. On-board graphics does have a pretty poor reputation but I can't comment on the particular variant you have on that PC but you might find that PhotoShop etc could be aided by just adding a fairly low-spec but dedicated graphics card.

I agree about the gaming. I can't speak to Photoshop, but for Zerene Stacker even integrated graphics work fine. For ZS, the graphics card is basically just a place to put pixels so the user can see them.

--Rik

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 3:20 pm

Harold Gough wrote: possibly all my USB post are USB1 but I must

One is a USB2 but the only way to find out which one that is will be to see which one my USB hub doesn't say could go faster.

Harold

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 3:22 pm

rjlittlefield wrote:
ChrisRaper wrote:I'm by no means an expert on PC hardware but my understanding of modern high-spec graphics cards is that the majority of their functionality is focused on high-end gaming. On-board graphics does have a pretty poor reputation but I can't comment on the particular variant you have on that PC but you might find that PhotoShop etc could be aided by just adding a fairly low-spec but dedicated graphics card.
I agree about the gaming. I can't speak to Photoshop, but for Zerene Stacker even integrated graphics work fine. For ZS, the graphics card is basically just a place to put pixels so the user can see them.

I couldn't see that it was other than a place to hold a file and I don't know what I'm talking about!

Harold