I'm buying two external drives - a main one for to store referenced raw images and another mini one to store catalog file (used across devices for editing) I've got a dilemma - which one should be faster - a main external drive with raw images (possibly thunderbolt) or mini external drive with a catalog file (used across devices)?
Does speed matter of external drive with RAW images?
- Thread starter hulk2012
- Start date
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
When you say, "faster" do you mean RPM's (e.g. 5400 vs 7200 vs 10K) or Interface (e.g. USB 2.0 vs. 3.0 vs Firewire, et. al)?
And really, why not just buy two identical drives? I don't understand why one needs to be faster than the other?
And really, why not just buy two identical drives? I don't understand why one needs to be faster than the other?
WhiteLight
Senior Member
Both would matter actually..
The rpm would determine how fast the data would be written once it's received from the buffer..
The connectivity type also is very important.. definitely more than the rpm of the drive as it determines the maximum speed at which the data can be transferred
A usb3 external drive (or two as in your case) would do great
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What I mean is I'm trying to avoid delay while editing. Raw images are on one external and catalog with previews one another. Now which drives should be faster? The reason I'm a asking is cos I've got iMac with USB 2 and FireWire port. Now main external drive with raw will say connected to iMac all the time whereas another drive (mini) with catalog (previews) will be used across devices (laptops). The dilemma is should I buy FireWire G drive as main drive with raws or USB 2 LaCie will be sufficient? That's while editing though..
Is that's regarding drive with catalog or raw images (they are on separate drives)?
WhiteLight
Senior Member
Again, the processes involved are the same - receiving data, editing data, writing data.
Its not advisable to have your images and catalogs on different drives cos all the processes need to be done on different disks, which will increase access time..
Otherwise, any disk that's usb2 and above should do
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk 2
Its not advisable to have your images and catalogs on different drives cos all the processes need to be done on different disks, which will increase access time..
Otherwise, any disk that's usb2 and above should do
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk 2
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
If you're buying now, go with a pair of USB 3.0 drives, and for God's sake format them so that they can be not just read but written to by a Mac (FAT 32) - even if you don't have one (yet). Storage is getting so cheap that to compromise on it now is almost ludicrous. Anything over 0.5GB is likely to be USB 3.0 anyway. If you need something for working files then think about solid state storage since it's incredibly fast and then back up to another drive when you're no longer working on it.
My advice is worth exactly what you paid for it, but as one who owns far too many external drives, caveat emptor.
My advice is worth exactly what you paid for it, but as one who owns far too many external drives, caveat emptor.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I know... Which is why I was asking for clarification from the OP.
Or a pair, as the case may be. But this is the obvious choice barring any unusual circumstances.
If you're buying now, go with a pair of USB 3.0 drives, and for God's sake format them so that they can be not just read but written to by a Mac (FAT 32) - even if you don't have one (yet). Storage is getting so cheap that to compromise on it now is almost ludicrous. Anything over 0.5GB is likely to be USB 3.0 anyway. If you need something for working files then think about solid state storage since it's incredibly fast and then back up to another drive when you're no longer working on it.
My advice is worth exactly what you paid for it, but as one who owns far too many external drives, caveat emptor.
My main working station iMac doesn't have usb3 so the only option are USB 2, FireWire or thunderbolt..