SIIG USB 3.0 card

[MilesAhead]

I should get the 2nd Sharkoon tomorrow. So far I really like it. It does spin down the drive when idle but the only drive that bothers me doing that is an old 200 GB WD. When it spins down you can hear a loud click as some mechanical switch clicks off. That's a slow drive anyway and I'll only be using it occasionally. With the newer WDs you have to really listen for the drives spinning up and down. Not annoying at all.

I'll definitely be trying some copies from one Sharkoon to the other tomorrow.

[dr_ml422]

It's going to fly believe me. When I transferred my video files I did it w/both my BlackX Thermal docking stations and from 1 pc to another when I had them networked. Those files flew. I could just imagine the 3.0. Mine went from 1e-sata dock to the USB 2.0.

BTW I registered Sandboxie.

[MilesAhead]

This is the best thing I bought for my PCs since I got the gigabit network card for the dual core. It's nice to be able to move large files around at snappy speeds. It's better than just having 2 internal drives because it's so easy the swap the drives around.

On Sandboxie, now that he finally supports 64 bit the program will stay relevant for years. It's especially cool because it's a single programmer who isn't trying to get you to pay up again every time he changes the version number. You can tell he just loves working the program and perfecting it.

[dr_ml422]

I must have a built in Gigabit connection on my mobos if I'm not mistaken. Is this what it would be: [Atheros L1e Gigabit Lan controller featuring AI NET 2]. Let me know just in case I need to get a card myself. I haven't networked my 2 Builds yet because I was thinking of selling my 1st Build. Had some inquiries though nothing materialized.

Yes. The Sandboxie guy is otm. I'm slowly tweaking it now.

[MilesAhead]

That sounds right on the network interface. My quad core came with the gigabit wired ethernet, but my dual core only had fast ethernet. I had to buy a 3rd party card and add it in as well as a gigabit switch. Took a bit of messing around to figure out the optimum settings for the card. I had to download the generic driver that everyone uses and do some trial and error. But it was worth it.

[MilesAhead]

I got the 2nd Sharkoon hooked up. Seems as expected so far. The copy from one to the other of the disks in the Sharkoon docks is close to the benchmark read speed of the drive you are pulling from. Of course if the write drive is slower eventually it slows down to sequential write speed or a bit below. But there's no bog just because it's going in one port on the card and out the other. My system HD doesn't show any access. The only "side effect" is when they are honking I can hear my system fans speed up a bit as they do when the quad core is in heavy use.

Nice and quiet though. When the WD drives spin up and down I have to listen to hear them even though they are right on the desk.

Only thing on putting on the desktop, even with the little feet you will feel some vibration from the docks unless you stick some mouepad strips under the feet or bubble pack or something to absorb the vibration.

[MilesAhead]

After using the USB 3.0 stuff for about 3 weeks I have to say I'm very happy with the results. Reading from one dock and writing to the other really smooths out stuff like video muxing. Eliminates all that drive thrashing!!

[dr_ml422]

It's a No Brainer 4 sure!

After using the USB 3.0 stuff for about 3 weeks I have to say I'm very happy with the results. Reading from one dock and writing to the other really smooths out stuff like video muxing. Eliminates all that drive thrashing!!

No doubt Miles. That's why I bought 2 Docking stations myself. Although both are USB 2.0 w/1 having e-sata the results and the wear and the thrashing that is virtually wiped out makes them a no brainer.

I'll be upgrading asaic to the USB 3.0 Docks. Letting things settle a bit as I'm eyeing to go Hi-def w/my builds a new Slim etc... That's a chunk of change iykwim.

[MilesAhead]

If you happen to get the Sharkoon docks, I wrote a small Tray utility to keep them from spinning down from idle time-out. It's worked well for me so far. It's called DriveAlive. You can get from my download page:

http://www.favessoft.com/downloads.html

It's hard wired for 5 minutes but that should work with just about everything without accessing the drives too often.

[atifsh]

I'm eyeing to go Hi-def w/my builds a new Slim etc... That's a chunk of change iykwim.

i recently did that with though 720P only 32" screen for my smallish room, got microsoft's win7 keyboard that has a builtin mouse.... very happy...

wife is not so happy as iv put the mistress into the room

dell xps connected to pioneer speakers with opti out, and dvi to lcd.

though i have an option to use the system with hdmi, but not sure what good i get with that on my current system.

[MilesAhead]

After using the USB 3.0 stuff for about 3 weeks I have to say I'm very happy with the results. Reading from one dock and writing to the other really smooths out stuff like video muxing. Eliminates all that drive thrashing!!

Looks like I shouldn't have said anything. One of my Sharkoon docks has a defective power switch. It's the push it goes in, push it again it pops out type. That dock the switch never felt right from day one. For all the hassle I may just try to bring it someplace and see what they charge me to put a switch in it.

It's a shame because my video muxing was kicking ass!!

[doctorhardware]

Is there any screws on the bottom of the case if there is open it up. Also if you can, take a picture of the switch, I might be able to help you out. You might be abe to fix it by remote control.

[MilesAhead]

I'll take you up on it if I have to. I got a mail back from the seller. I might be able to swap it for another. It's too bad because these things honk. They must have licensed it from Thermaltake because it's almost exactly the same. Just not quite as solid a construction.

I'll see how it goes with the replacement route.
Thanks for the offer.

btw the weird thing is I temporarily have the BlacX USB 2.0 plugged into the card. I'm getting about 38 MB/sec read rate. I'll be able to limp along until I get another 3.0 dock.


At first I did start to take it apart but I wasn't sure how the connectors and button were going to ease out. Figured I'd try the email to the seller before breaking it myself.

[doctorhardware]

Too bad there is not a retail location near you that sells it. If there is just, do a swap and return the bad one. That way there would be no wait.

[MilesAhead]

I kept waiting for Thermaltake to come out with this but even after a video demo of BlacX 3.0 USB dock I saw no retail versions available. This Sharkoon is made in Germany I think. What I'll do is tell 'em I want a refund. Then send the stuff back. I'll just buy another dock. I went through this before with a modem. Got another modem free but by than time I bought a replacement. Got tired of surfing at half speed for months!

I'll think I'll try the SIIG model. I think it has no power button but a fan that's on all the time to chill the drive. I'd rather risk being out some $$ than sit around waiting for them to send a replacement. Once they have you on the string there's no incentive to hurry it up.

edit: these guys are saying they can put through another expedited order, and refund when they get the return. But they expect me to pay to ship it insured. Right!! Like I have nothing better to do.

Maybe I'll just hang onto it and one day stick the switch in if I can find out what holds the stuff together once the screws are removed. That's why I try to keep online purchases < $100. Just to avoid these hassles.