Need Guidance - Type of External Hard Drives for my PC

[Tex98]

I have an HP Pavilion Desktop TP01-2255t Bundle PC.  Model 20W69AA#ABA. Purchased in 2021.  *NOTE*:  HP DETECTED MY MODEL AS “HP PAVILION DESKTOP PC TP01-2000i (1K4B7AV)”, but it is not.  I'm looking for an external hard drive to backup my Windows libraries.  I’m totally confused about the type of external port I need for the fasted backup data transfer speed. The specs for my HP TP01-2255t state External I/O Ports:

Front:

1 SuperSpeed USB Type-C 5Gbps signaling rate;

2 SuperSpeed USB Type-A 10Gbps signaling rate;

2 SuperSpeed USB Type-A 5Gbps signaling rate;

1 headphone/microphone combo.

Rear:

4 USB 2.0 Type-A;

1 audio-in; 1 audio-out; 1 microphone; 1 RJ-45

I have searched for days looking for an external hard drive that is compatible with these specs. I don’t know what “SuperSpeed” means.  The external hard drives I’ve looked at are stated as USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1 (Gen 1), USB 3.1 (Gen 2).  Then there is an array of cable connections; USB A, USB B, Micro B or USB C.  Not to mention RPMs (my model is 7200 RPM).  I'm totally baffled.

Can anyone give me some guidance on what the specs should be on a high transfer speed external hard drive for my PC?

[Prométhée · Accepted solution]

Hi

First you have to see what suits you best
connect the disk to the back, or to the front, in general more convenient to the front..
Then, depending on your needs, the transfer speeds are more or less fast depending on the port used.
Currently it is possible to buy an external drive either old hdd, or faster SSD ..

you will find many sites explaining very well the standards and connectors to use

https://www.google.com/search?q=USB+3.2+Gen+1+Type-A+USB+3.2+Gen+1+Type-C

see for example the table here

https://hitek.fr/actualite/usb-3-2-nouvelles-generations-normes-specifications_18696

[Tex98]

Thank you very much.  The Google link was very helpful.  The second link was in French so I couldn't understand it, but I still appreciate your guidance.

[Prométhée]

Yes, I know sorry but when I do a google search, it automatically gives me most of the answers in French
but it was just for the picture