SATA

alastair84 · 24 Jan 2008 at 11:47

Hi
its been a while since i've been into new hardware.
My question is:
are there different types of SATA cable?
i've heard that there are different shapes etc...
what difference does this make?

thanks

Darren555 · 24 Jan 2008 at 11:52

Standard connectors aren't very secure and can come loose.
The standard ones that Gigabyte now supply have a metal retainer that needs to be squeezed to remove the connector. It's simple & it works great. I believe there are a few variations on the theme.
You can also get right angle connectors which puts less stress on the fitting in tight spaces.

HTH

Darren

alastair84 · 24 Jan 2008 at 11:59

cheers yeh that helps. i have another question too:
i take it that SATA devices need a SATA power supply? not the normal 4 pin molex thingy for normal IDE drives?
if so, how do i tell if the PSU i'm buying has SATA?
and can i buy converters to convert normal IDE power into SATA?
thanks

RichieM · 24 Jan 2008 at 12:09

The PSU specs usually show the number of SATA connectors (I imagine all new PSU's have them).
Yes you can get IDE to SATA converters

Shrapnel · 24 Jan 2008 at 12:39

yeah, you can get converters.

Some SATA drive (EG, Western Digital Raptors) have both sets of power plugs on them so you can use EITHER. WD also sell a "secure connect" SATA lead that will grip the drive more but covers the SATA power connection so can only be used on the Molex ones.

J.B · 24 Jan 2008 at 13:23

Shrapnel said:
have both sets of power plugs on them so you can use EITHER.

Or you can make a right n00b of yourself and use both!

therealnerd2 · 24 Jan 2008 at 13:42

Shrapnel said:
yeah, you can get converters.

Some SATA drive (EG, Western Digital Raptors) have both sets of power plugs on them so you can use EITHER. WD also sell a "secure connect" SATA lead that will grip the drive more but covers the SATA power connection so can only be used on the Molex ones.

The best solution by far for SATA. IMO spend a bit extra and get these WD drives (not just raptors) - you wont regret it for increase cable security, with both the power and data cables.

Skeeter · 24 Jan 2008 at 15:32

All SATA cables fit into each other, with the exception of External SATA, or eSATA. These are straight and designed for external hard drives, whereas internal SATA connections are L shaped.

They all fit to the same mobo connectors though. My eSATA port on the top of my case connects internally to my mobo via a standard SATA cable! Just to confuse things.

Internallay, all cables are the same.