Need External HDD help!

[theman]

I am going to get a 500gb external for Time Machine and to install games on (my MBP HDD is only 120gb, not enough for games and other files together). I will probably store large files on it also like movies, shows, etc.

So it needs to be a pretty fast drive. I am pretty sure I want a firewire drive, but my options seem to be limited and more expensive compared to USB.

I don't have much to spend so I am trying to keep it below $150 if possible...

My question is basically what will generally perform better from the options I have, being:

1. A firewire external drive (these are kind of too pricey, mostly in the $200 range...)

2. A SATA internal drive with a firewire enclosure (for some reason, i can find only 1-2 of this type of enclosure, 3.5", SATA, Firewire. They cost $60-$70. So I can get an internal SATA 500gb for $89. The total would be over $160, not too bad.

3. An IDE internal drive with a firewire enclosure. These enclosures are way cheaper, and there are lots of them. I can get it for $24. The IDE drives are a bit more expensive so that would be $105. So total would be about $130. So that's definitely cheaper, but would the performance of the IDE drive hurt me? Both the SATA and IDE are seagate drives BTW.

4. USB external - i think i can get it for $120. not sure how it will perform though, in games...

Basically, i am just not sure what the performance benefits are for the prices... does it really matter if I get a SATA or IDE drive? would IDE+firewire be slower than USB?

just offer me some words of wisdom...

thanks

 

[tersono]

On an external drive, you really won't notice the difference between IDA and SATA, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Firewire is worth having - it's noticeably faster than USB2. Personally I'd be inclined to buy one of the cheaper LaCie firewire models - the housings are nicely made and, at least here in the UK, it's tough to build anything better for less.