SATA Confusion

Mrdavi5

Mrdavi5

Mrdavi5

Associate
Joined
21 Dec 2015
Posts
23
Hi Guys
According to sources SATA can only be ran a maximum of 1 meter, where as eSATA can be run 2meters.
I have a build that makes my SSDs( Samsung evo 850) exceed the SATA 1m limit. Can I install eSATA cables between the Mobo and SSDs to provide a safer and longer solution?
Or should I go to USB3.0 with a PCIe USB Card?
 
Cable length usually is stipulated by the spec, then again, how many SATA cables on the market are actually certified by the specification holder (iirc IEEE)? Probably <5% :p if you can find a 2m SATA cable, it'll probably work, ymmv
 
The spec says 1m for SATA so you will struggle to find a 2m cable, as you've discovered.

eSATA specifices different voltages. From wikipedia:

Minimum transmit amplitude increased: Range is 500–600 mV instead of 400–600 mV.
Minimum receive amplitude decreased: Range is 240–600 mV instead of 325–600 mV.
Click to expand...

This is what gives it the longer reach, not the cable itself. Yes, you can get SATA->eSATA adaptors but in theory they shouldn't work out to 2m as they will be running at SATA voltage levels. YMMV, this is not an exact science.

You might find that dropping to SATA 3G or SATA 1.5G speeds rather than SATA 6G lets you do it, if it initially doesn't work.
 
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