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OffTopic > Transferring files to a new external hard drive

#167641 - SG1anubis007 - Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:21 am

I am planning on getting a new 500GB external HDD to replace my old 150GB external HDD. I was just curious if anybody can estimate about how long it will take to transfer the files from my old HDD using USB 2.0 to my new HDD using firewire. I have about 140GB to transfer.

#167642 - DiscoStew - Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:33 am

I would guess at least 40 minutes, based on the speed of the USB 2.0 in "best" scenarios, even though it really doesn't achieve the supposed 480 Mbps because of it's "Master-Slave" architecture. I'm not putting out FireWire numbers even though the data rate transfer with that is faster, because it is at the mercy of the USB 2.0 device.

So, at least 40 minutes, but I wouldn't be surprised if it took over an hour.
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#167643 - SG1anubis007 - Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:16 am

Thanks, I was thinking much longer though because sometimes when I'm taking files on and off it seems to go slow.

#167644 - DiscoStew - Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:37 am

Well, there will be other factors that will result in a longer data transfer, such as having lots of small files, data fragmentation, etc. Don't forget that the speed of the external HD unit itself is a factor.
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#167662 - elhobbs - Sat Mar 21, 2009 2:13 pm

it will take even longer if you are using windows vista.