Serial Advanced Technoilogy Attachment (SATA) is the evolution of the Parallel ATA (PATA) interface used to connect peripherals to a central system. Currently, we use SATA cables to connect storage drives to our PC , but did you know that not all SATA PC cables are the same? We tell you all the types that exist and what they are used for.
Generally, when we talk about SATA cables, everyone thinks of the same, whether with a smooth or angled connector. That cable that we all know is actually called SATA-SATA, and it is because at both ends it has the same type of connector , female in this case. However, there are different types of SATA connectors and cables beyond the one we all know, so we will proceed to tell you what they are.
Data and stream: same name but different function
Of course, not all SATA cables are data cables, since there are also power cables and they have the same name. To connect a hard drive, the most widespread application today to use this type of cable, both connectors (data and power) are needed and, while one connects to the motherboard, the other comes directly from the power supply.
SATA power cables have the same internal shape with that 90º angle so that they can only be inserted one way, but unlike data cables , the connector is much larger and has 15 connection pins , although only four cables current reaches it and it is compatible with converters from a MOLEX type connector. They are the cables to power the HDD / SSD hard drives and the recorders or readers.
Of course, there are special connectors that combine data and current into one, but the shape is still, after all, the same as if we put the two connectors next to each other.
Types of SATA cables for PC
The common factor of these cables is that they cannot be longer than 2 meters, although the most common is that they are at most 50 centimeters (but the limitation is still there).
eSATA
These types of cables are used to connect a storage unit externally, and therefore have a much stronger and more resistant connector than other cables. It was introduced in 2004 under the name External SATA (eSATA), it is composed of 7 pins and has a transmission speed of 3,000 Mbps. In this way, we achieve a data transfer similar to the SATA 2 of the time.
Some boxes and motherboards still have this type of connector today, although its use was more widespread between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.
Low Profile SATA
If you have a PC case with little space or your graphics card is too long, these types of SATA cables will come in handy because, as their name suggests, they are low profile. Yes, normal cables are already quite flat, but these are not more than that … one or two very, very thin cables to occupy the minimum space.
Micro SATA
This is a type of cable that combines power and data in its connectors, reducing the size to a minimum. It is generally used in laptops and embedded systems, such as those boxes that incorporate cabinets with SATA connectors already arranged so that we can connect and disconnect hard drives without even having to open the box. You can see it referred to as uSATA or μSATA
SATA brackets
This type of cable ends in a PCI expansion socket. It is used to convert two internal SATA ports on the motherboard into two external eSATA connectors. As you can see, the cables are standard SATA-SATA for life, the difference is the eSATA connector at the end that ends in the bracket.
This type of SATA cable came about to install mSATA SSD drives in a computer that used to be a standard or compact size. As you can see, it uses a PCIe cell, but it is not installed in any PCIe expansion slot.
SATA Bridge Cables
This is not a cable literally, but rather an adapter, although as a general rule we will have to connect standard SATA-SATA power and data cables to it. It is used to convert this interface to others, such as USB, PATA or ATA.
SATA Power and SATA-SATA Cables
We finish with the types of cable that we all know and that, in fact, we have explained at the beginning. They are the “normal” power and data cables for SATA, the most widely used today.
In the case of SATA power cables , we have them straight and angled, and also with and without an anchor clip, as well as in different lengths. As it is the most widely used type, it is also the one with the most variety.
These are all the types of SATA cable that you can find or use when assembling a PC, including laptops.
What is each SATA cable used for?
Reviewing all the cables that we have exposed to you, many of you may wonder, what are each of them used for? It is true that we do not see them on a daily basis, so it is logical that they raise doubts. In short, they are used for the following:
- eSATA . It is a cable that was used for external drives, such as external hard drives or internal hard drives transformed by adapters.
- Low profile SATA . They arose to solve configurations in which the graphics card made it difficult to connect SATA. We will still have the option to install the SATA cable first and then the graphics card. However, it is not necessary to do so if we use these cables.
- Micro SATA . It is used as an adapter as many are looking to reuse old hard drives. Normally, we found these cables in laptops, since they are connectors with power (yellow, black and orange cable) and data transfer.
- SATA brackets . They do not connect to the PCIe, but uses a PCIe cell, which is different. They are used to connect external SATA drives to our box, acting as adapters.
- SATA Bridge . It is an adapter that works like a micro SATA cable: power and data cable. It is usually useful when we want to connect old hard drives, such as IDEs.
- SATA Power and SATA-SATA . They are used in mechanical hard drives and SSDs, as well as in recorders, floppy drives or readers. You can see them on laptops or desktops.
As you can see, there are different types of SATA cables and for different situations.
