WD 4TB Studio vs 4TB G-Drive vs WD 6TB Duo

PatrickNSF · Dec 22, 2012, 11:43 PM

Does anyone have any experience with the WD 4TB Studio USB 3 (bit.ly/dOtPpS) for about $250, the 4TB G-Drive USB 3 (http://bit.ly/27ZydU) for about $350, and/or the WD 6TB Duo Thunderbolt (http://bit.ly/z2UA9b) for about $525+?

I'm looking for a external for my 2012 iMac allocated to iTunes media, Aperture libraries, and digital video footage. I'm a hobbyist (i.e., not a professional), so the absolute "best" performance isn't critical, though reliability is. I back up data from 3 laptops and some data from the iMac via Time Machine to a networked Time Capsule, and the rest of the iMac data via Firewire 800 to a (slow) Drobo.

Any alternate suggestions would be appreciated also. Thanks.

Kadath · Dec 23, 2012, 01:48 PM

I'm looking at those and the G-Raid Thunderbolt 8GB drive for about $700

PatrickNSF · Dec 23, 2012, 02:20 PM

Thanks for the tip on the G-Raid. It's expensive, but looks to be a fast performer. Are you planning to use it striped?

Mr. Retrofire · Dec 24, 2012, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kadath

I'm looking at those and the G-Raid Thunderbolt 8GB drive for about $700

Only 8 GB. Impressive! ;-)

Kadath · Dec 24, 2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickNSF

Thanks for the tip on the G-Raid. It's expensive, but looks to be a fast performer. Are you planning to use it striped?

No, probably Raid 0.

PatrickNSF · 09:50 PM

Edited

PatrickNSF · 09:50 PM

Edited

Ice-Cube · Dec 25, 2012, 04:20 AM

I'm thinking of getting the Lacie 2big thunderbolt. Just haven't decided if I really need thunderbolt just for backing up files.

Mr. Retrofire · Dec 25, 2012, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickNSF

Apparently a discussion about hard drives for the new iMac warrants less importance than the "when did you iMac ship" threads.

Please read the forum descriptions! Thank you! :-)

External RAID enclosures, external harddisks and so on have nothing to do with the iMac hardware. You can use the same enclosures/HDDs on other Macs, not only iMacs.

Mr. Retrofire · Dec 25, 2012, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice-Cube

I'm thinking of getting the Lacie 2big thunderbolt. Just haven't decided if I really need thunderbolt just for backing up files.

If you have “older” eSATA enclosures, you can use the LaCie Thunderbolt Hub:
http://www.lacie.com/ie/products/product.htm?id=10574

iThink i will use the hub + 2 x WD Red 3 TB (WD30EFRX) in a RAID 0 configuration. The expected transfer speed is 200-250 MByte/s. I use this enclosure:
http://www.inxtron.com/multi-bay-rai...s-super-s3-lcm

Other necessary parts:
One double shielded eSATA cable (not too long), and one 2 m Thunderbolt cable (Apple).

mawyatt · Dec 25, 2012, 11:36 AM

I have the LaCie 2Big 4TB Thunderbolt, very happy with it. I just ordered another from MacMall, so now have 2 of the LaCie 2Bigs. They use the Seagate 7200rpm Barracuda drives. I have run Black Magic on them as RAID 0 and they are fast about 330/380M W/R I recall. I was trying to setup a more complex RAID between the 2 LaCie's but not sure if this can work. I did run both LaCie's in a RAID 0 with 4 drives just for fun. Black Magic indicated 497/515M if I remember. I will probably setup as a pair of RAID 0 with one LaCie for Time Machine when I get some time today or tomorrow.

dinggus · Dec 25, 2012, 11:48 AM

What's black magic?

Mr. Retrofire · Dec 25, 2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinggus

What's black magic?

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blac...25264550?mt=12

:-)

dinggus · Dec 25, 2012, 01:28 PM

Oh, I wouldn't need it then.

I have a 2TB, 2x3TB and 1TB portable on my desk

To many enclosures!

PatrickNSF · Dec 30, 2012, 08:01 PM

So, I ended up with the WD Studio 4TB USB3. It seems OK. Not sure if the 4TB G-drive would have offered better performance, but this was about $100 cheaper.

mmomega · Dec 30, 2012, 09:38 PM

Have 2 WD Thunderbolt Duo's and I like them. WD has always been a solid performer to me. (Except for their NAS drives, slow slow slow...but reliable)

Ice-Cube · Dec 30, 2012, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmomega

Have 2 WD Thunderbolt Duo's and I like them. WD has always been a solid performer to me. (Except for their NAS drives, slow slow slow...but reliable)

I believe they are using 5400 rpm drives? I hesitated to buy them solely cos of that.

mmomega · Dec 30, 2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice-Cube

I believe they are using 5400 rpm drives? I hesitated to buy them solely cos of that.

Even still, my MyBook World NAS should have better transfer speeds than 12-18MB/s. It's horrible.

Dec 22, 2012, 11:43 PM	#1
PatrickNSF macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2011	WD 4TB Studio vs 4TB G-Drive vs WD 6TB Duo Does anyone have any experience with the WD 4TB Studio USB 3 (bit.ly/dOtPpS) for about $250, the 4TB G-Drive USB 3 (http://bit.ly/27ZydU) for about $350, and/or the WD 6TB Duo Thunderbolt (http://bit.ly/z2UA9b) for about $525+? I'm looking for a external for my 2012 iMac allocated to iTunes media, Aperture libraries, and digital video footage. I'm a hobbyist (i.e., not a professional), so the absolute "best" performance isn't critical, though reliability is. I back up data from 3 laptops and some data from the iMac via Time Machine to a networked Time Capsule, and the rest of the iMac data via Firewire 800 to a (slow) Drobo. Any alternate suggestions would be appreciated also. Thanks.
	0

Dec 24, 2012, 03:40 PM	#6
PatrickNSF Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2011	Edited Last edited by PatrickNSF; Dec 25, 2012 at 09:50 PM.
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 12:46 AM	#7
PatrickNSF Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2011	Edited Last edited by PatrickNSF; Dec 25, 2012 at 09:50 PM.
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 04:20 AM	#8
Ice-Cube macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow	I'm thinking of getting the Lacie 2big thunderbolt. Just haven't decided if I really need thunderbolt just for backing up files. __________________ sent from my iPhone.
	0

Dec 30, 2012, 09:38 PM	#16
mmomega macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: DFW, TX	Have 2 WD Thunderbolt Duo's and I like them. WD has always been a solid performer to me. (Except for their NAS drives, slow slow slow...but reliable) __________________ '11 iMac 27" RAID'd SSD, '09 iMac 27" X-25M SSD, '10 iMac 27", iMacG4 1GHz768MB, '10 MacMini, '11 MacMini '12 MiniServer '12 15"rMBP, '12 13" MBAir, iPad4 16GBWiFi, iPad4 32GB4G, aTV1,2 & 3
	0

Dec 23, 2012, 01:48 PM	#2
Kadath macrumors member Join Date: May 2006	I'm looking at those and the G-Raid Thunderbolt 8GB drive for about $700
	0

Dec 23, 2012, 02:20 PM	#3
PatrickNSF Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2011	Thanks for the tip on the G-Raid. It's expensive, but looks to be a fast performer. Are you planning to use it striped?
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 11:36 AM	#11
mawyatt macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2012	I have the LaCie 2Big 4TB Thunderbolt, very happy with it. I just ordered another from MacMall, so now have 2 of the LaCie 2Bigs. They use the Seagate 7200rpm Barracuda drives. I have run Black Magic on them as RAID 0 and they are fast about 330/380M W/R I recall. I was trying to setup a more complex RAID between the 2 LaCie's but not sure if this can work. I did run both LaCie's in a RAID 0 with 4 drives just for fun. Black Magic indicated 497/515M if I remember. I will probably setup as a pair of RAID 0 with one LaCie for Time Machine when I get some time today or tomorrow.
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 11:48 AM	#12
dinggus Banned Join Date: Jan 2012	What's black magic?
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 01:28 PM	#14
dinggus Banned Join Date: Jan 2012	Oh, I wouldn't need it then. I have a 2TB, 2x3TB and 1TB portable on my desk To many enclosures!
	0

Dec 30, 2012, 08:01 PM	#15
PatrickNSF Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2011	So, I ended up with the WD Studio 4TB USB3. It seems OK. Not sure if the 4TB G-drive would have offered better performance, but this was about $100 cheaper.
	0

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