3.1 Cables And Adapters: SATA & PATA Drive Cables

Question 1

SATA

Answer 1

Serial AT attachment

Common way to connect storage devices

SATA revision 1.0
- 1.5 Gbit/s, 1 meter max cable size

SATA revision 2.0
- 3.0 gbit/s, 1 meter

SATA revision 3.0
- 6.0 gbit/s, 1 meter

SATA revision 3.2
- 16 gbit/s, 1 meter

Power connector: 15 pins
Data connector: 7 pins

Power comes directly from computer, motherboard has wired connector

Question 2

PATA

Answer 2

Parallel AT attachment, or parallel ATA(current name), or just ATA
- callback to old PC

Evolutionary process
- circa 1999

Outdated (Legacy) storage device

Originally called integrated drive electronics (IDE)

2nd generation called EIDE (Enhanced IDE)

Evolution

• promised faster speeds (16 mb/s through 133 MB/s of throughput)
• allowed for connecting CD-ROM drives

Question 3

PATA cabling

Answer 3

Looks like Fat ribbon or fruit roll up

Connector types on ribbons have 40 pins (but on motherboard, matching plug has 39 pins, forces you to plug in only one type of way)

2 cable types (can connect 2 devices)

40- wire

• device 0 on inside (closer to motherboard)
• device 1 on end (further)

80 wire

• device 1 on inside
• device 0 on end

Question 4

PATA interface

Answer 4

Connector types on ribbons have 40 pins (but on motherboard, matching plug/interface has 39 pins, forces you to plug in only one type of way)

Question 5

PATA drive

Answer 5

• Interface for data
• jumper (set configuration for drive)
• molex connection (for power)

Question 6

SATA cable

Answer 6

Much thinner than PATA

Allows for more airflow through case (better cooling)