Stacking external hard drives.

[sMiLEy sLOth]

Hi all,

 

Is it safe to stack 2 powered external hard drives in operation? I recently purchased a new external hard drive and having 2 side by side on my desk is taking up too much space so I was wondering if I could put one on top of the other without any consequences. One is USB 2 and the other is USB 3, not sure if that changes anything. Again, both are powered desktop external hard drives.

 

I know this is probably a pretty nooby question but I've never had to think about it before.

 

Charizard for your help in advance.

 

sMiLEy

[79wjd]

Hi all,

 

Is it safe to stack 2 powered external hard drives in operation? I recently purchased a new external hard drive and having 2 side by side on my desk is taking up too much space so I was wondering if I could put one on top of the other without any consequences. One is USB 2 and the other is USB 3, not sure if that changes anything. Again, both are powered desktop external hard drives.

 

I know this is probably a pretty nooby question but I've never had to think about it before.

 

Charizard for your help in advance.

 

sMiLEy

No, go for it. 

[Speedbird]

Yeah, it's safe, go ahead. External drives usually have some anti-vibration systems, so you don't need to worry about that.

[Dimwitted]

It depends on the drives. If they run hot or have vibration it won't be a good idea. The newer small form factor externals are great and I wouldn't have too much worry. Watch your cases as well. Some are not flat but convex. Two of those on top of one another would not be good. If it really bothers you just put some spacers between the cases to allow for airflow. Rubber washers, buttons, blue tack, non slip felt stickies will all work well.

[sMiLEy sLOth]

Thanks all. Only online community I trust.