Topic: Adding storage to PC Tower

[Beren]

1TB doesn't take you that far anymore.

Is it pretty easy to slot a new hard drive into an empty bay of a CPU for extra storage? Any recommendations on where to buy from? Any compatibility issues I need to be wary of?

Cheers in advance

[neesy111]

CPU?  You can't add storage to a CPU that's the processor.  If your talking about the Computer Tower then it's easily done in a desktop.

[Bimpy474]

Or just buy an usb external Hard Drive, saves having to fit it inside. They're so small now they can just sit on top and you don't even notice it.

[Beren]

CPU?  You can't add storage to a CPU that's the processor.  If your talking about the Computer Tower then it's easily done in a desktop.

Yes I mean the tower.

[neesy111]

CPU?  You can't add storage to a CPU that's the processor.  If your talking about the Computer Tower then it's easily done in a desktop.

Yes I mean the tower.

You want something like this:

https://www.lindy.co.uk/components-tools-c7/internal-pc-components-c329/universal-5-25-bay-adapter-for-odd-hdd-p6800/s6942?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=universal-5-25-bay-adapter-for-odd-hdd-ssd-drives&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=CjwKCAiA0IXQBRA2EiwAMODilwenVK6Lf9EedG6WgWh5ufeeiDSHyx0l5I2EkaH19KAPRwe41mPX1RoCy7QQAvD_BwE

[thomas]

CPU?  You can't add storage to a CPU that's the processor.  If your talking about the Computer Tower then it's easily done in a desktop.

God bless you neesy.

[Feinraf]

Hi Beren,

You'll need to open up your case and work out if it's got any free drive bays as some store bought computer tower's only come with 1 space, check your motherboard has a spare SATA port and a spare power cable for the hard drive. If it does then brilliant. You'll need to buy an Internal HDD (usually 3.5" for desktops but again check inside your case) and you'll need a SATA cable too to connect it to the motherboard.

You can also get external hard drives which use a USB port, easier to setup but not ideal if you're wanting to use it as permanent storage as internal SATA is faster.

[Beren]

Cheers feinraf

To the left of the existing HDD is a bay, right?:



Do I now need the:

- bay adapter (in neesy's post)
- the HDD
- the SATA cable you mention

and a youtube tutorial video...?

[Sima]

Did you get that tower from Tandy?

[thomas]

those siderail slots look like a coolermaster

[neesy111]

Did you get that tower from Tandy?

[Beren]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B013HNYV8I/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511705906&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=hdd+4tb&dpPl=1&dpID=51fBk1rrkPL&ref=plSrch

This one alright nees?

[neesy111]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B013HNYV8I/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511705906&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=hdd+4tb&dpPl=1&dpID=51fBk1rrkPL&ref=plSrch

This one alright nees?

Aye, that's fine.

Are you replacing or just adding?  If adding make sure you have a spare Sata power cable and a Sata data cable.  if not they are easily bought on ebay etc.

[Beren]

Cheers mate. Adding. Yeah have a spare power cable but need to get a SATA data cable. There seems to be an open slot on the motherboard where the existing hard drive's SATA data cable slots in, so hopefully all goes smoothly

[Dave]

https://support.wdc.com/knowledgebase/answer.aspx?ID=981

[neesy111]

Cheers mate. Adding. Yeah have a spare power cable but need to get a SATA data cable. There seems to be an open slot on the motherboard where the existing hard drive's SATA data cable slots in, so hopefully all goes smoothly

That's fine, follow the link Dave's provided and ensure you put the new HDD into slave mode otherwise you might get some issues with your current HDD.