What Is a SATA Cable or Connector? SATA (pronounced say- da), short for Serial ATA (which is an abbreviation for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), is an IDE standard first released in 2. The term SATA generally refers to the types of cables and connections that follow this standard. Serial ATA replaces Parallel ATA as the IDE standard of choice for connecting storage devices inside of a computer. SLP installations require a master product key issued by each OEM maker, which is unique to the specific edition of Windows, such as Home (XP), Starter, Home Basic. SATA (Serial ATA) is the current interface standard for hard drives, optical drives, and other storage devices in a computer. Here's more info. File: Description: Version: Size : Updated Date : G31MX-K : Audio Driver for Win7. SATA storage devices can transmit data to and from the rest of the computer much, much faster than an otherwise similar PATA device. Note: PATA is sometimes just called IDE. If you see SATA being used sort of as an opposite term with IDE, it just means that Serial and Parallel ATA cables or connections are being discussed. SATA vs PATACompared to Parallel ATA, Serial ATA also has the benefit of cheaper cable costs and the ability to hot swap devices. To hot swap means that the devices can be replaced without turning off the entire system. With PATA devices, you'd need to shut off the computer before replacing the hard drive. Note: While SATA drives support hot swapping, the device using it must as well, like the operating system. SATA cables themselves are much smaller than the fat PATA ribbon cables. This means that they're easier to manage because they don't take up as much space and can be tied up more easily, if need be. Also, the thinner design results in better airflow inside the computer case. Like I said above, SATA transfer speeds are much higher than PATA. MB/s is the fastest transfer speed possible with PATA devices, whereas SATA supports speeds from 1. MB/s to 1,9. 69 MB/s (as of revision 3. The maximum cable length of a PATA cable is just 1. SATA cables can be as long as 1 meter (3. However, while a PATA data cable can have two devices attached to it at once, a SATA drive only allows one. Some Windows operating systems don't support SATA devices, like Windows 9. However, since those versions of Windows are so outdated, it shouldn't be a concern these days. Another disadvantage of SATA hard drives is that they sometimes require a special device driver before the computer can begin reading and writing data to it. More About SATA Cables & Connectors. SATA cables are long, 7- pin cables. Both ends are flat and thin. One end plugs into a port on the motherboard, usually labeled SATA, and the other into the back of a storage device like a SATA hard drive. External hard drives can also be used with SATA connections, given of course that the hard drive itself has a SATA connection too. This is called e. SATA. The way it works is that the external drive attaches to the e. SATA connection at the back of the computer next to the other openings for things like the monitor, network cable, and USB ports. Inside the computer, the same internal SATA connection is made with the motherboard just like if the hard drive were fixed inside the case. SATA drives are hot swappable in the same way as internal SATA drives. Note: Most computers don't come pre- installed with an e. SATA connection on the back of the case. However, you can buy the bracket yourself pretty cheaply. Monoprice's 2 Port Internal SATA to e. SATA Bracket, for example, is less than $1. However, one caveat with external SATA hard drives is that the cable doesn't transfer power, only data. This means that unlike some external USB drives, e. SATA drives require a power adapter, like one that plugs into the wall. SATA Converter Cables. There are various adapters you can purchase if you need to convert an older cable type to SATA or convert SATA to some other connection type. For example, if you want to use your SATA hard drive through a USB connection, like to wipe the drive, browse through the data, or back up the files, you can buy a SATA to USB adapter. Through Amazon, you can get something like this SATA/PATA/IDE Drive to USB Adapter Converter Cable for just that purpose. There are also Molex converters you can use if your power supply doesn't provide the 1. SATA hard drive. Those cable adapters are pretty inexpensive, like this one from Micro SATA Cables.
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