SATA Harddisk power cable

[news.news]

I am using the standard 4 pins connector for my SATA harddisk (ie +5V and
+12V).
Together with my P5LD2 ASUS board, it come with one 4 pins to SATA format
power connector. It is also 4 wires.

Recently, I change to a new ATX power supply that come with SATA power
connector. This connector come with 5 wires (an additional orange wire). How
do I know my SATA harddisk is compatiable with this new connector?

 

[Anna]

If your drive is SATA, then it has to accept a standard SATA power
connector pinout. There are not 'multiple incompatible versions' (yet!),
with SATA.... The SATA power connector, is meant to have 0v, 5v, 12v, and
3.3v connections. Your old cable, would not provide the latter. Most
current drives only use the 5v, and 12v connections (which are the same as
the old PATA connections), and many offer the PATA power connector as
well, but some newer drives are starting to appear, that require the 3.3v
connection, and cannot run just off the older rails. Your new supply,
correctly implements the full SATA power connections.

Best Wishes

Roger:
Your response to the OP's query was most interesting.

1. As I'm sure you know, the SATA power connector is commonly referred to as
the "15-pin SATA power connector". Could you shed some light on how the
voltages you listed for the SATA power connector relate to the latter's
15-pin setup?

2. As again I'm sure you know, all or virtually all SATA HDs include both
the SATA power connector and the "legacy" Molex power connector. In our
discussions with a number of SATA HD manufacturers they have strongly
recommended the use of the SATA power connector (when available) rather than
the Molex power plug. While they do not indicate any performance issue is
involved re use of the Molex plug, they do tell us that the "hot plugging"
capability of SATA hard drives can only be supported through use of the
15-pin SATA power connector.

3. You also mention some newer (SATA) drives are starting to appear that
require the 3.3v connection. Do you have their make & model numbers?

Thanks.
Anna

 

[Gilgamesh]

When will SATA Y power adaptors be available for when your power supply
doesn't have enough SATA connecors for 3.3V.
I have 8 SATA drives and by necessity use Molex to SATA adaptors even though
my PSU has some SATA connectors.

Roger:
Your response to the OP's query was most interesting.

1. As I'm sure you know, the SATA power connector is commonly referred to
as the "15-pin SATA power connector". Could you shed some light on how the
voltages you listed for the SATA power connector relate to the latter's
15-pin setup?

2. As again I'm sure you know, all or virtually all SATA HDs include both
the SATA power connector and the "legacy" Molex power connector. In our

Actually I don't know this. In fact I know the opposite.
Most of my SATA drives are Seagate and ONLY have the SATA power connector.
I have one WD which has both and by preference I use the Molex connector as
it is more sturdy than the SATA one.

 

[news.news]

Thanks Roger.

If your drive is SATA, then it has to accept a standard SATA power
connector pinout. There are not 'multiple incompatible versions' (yet!),
with SATA.... The SATA power connector, is meant to have 0v, 5v, 12v, and
3.3v connections. Your old cable, would not provide the latter. Most
current drives only use the 5v, and 12v connections (which are the same as
the old PATA connections), and many offer the PATA power connector as
well, but some newer drives are starting to appear, that require the 3.3v
connection, and cannot run just off the older rails. Your new supply,
correctly implements the full SATA power connections.

Best Wishes