ASRock H77M-ITX - eSATA port controller and port multiplier support

[absqua]

Hi. Can anyone tell me what the controller for the eSATA port on this board is, and/or whether that controller supports port multiplier? (This will determine if I need a PCIe card, which will determine which case I will get, and on down the line. I'm stuck without being able to get an answer on this.) I asked on AsRock's support site but haven't received an answer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[absqua]

I just received this response from AsRock—for the benefit of future Googlers:

eSATA on back of mainobard only support one device per port. Does not support multiplier port at same time.

It would've been nice to know which controller it uses, but good to know.

 

[QueBert]

I wish MB makers would put this info into the specs, I recently bought an iTX MB with the assumption that the eSATA device I was buying had built in support *it doesn't*. And I can't even add a card because the MB has 1 pcie slot which is for my video card. This might help you, or might not. But I found a USB 3.0 to eSATA dongle that has port multiplying. I can't comment on how well it works compared to native eSATA but the reviews are pretty positive.

http://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Suppor...rt+mulltiplier

Since I have no other options this is going to have to be the route I take.

 

[Zap]

AFAIK it uses one of the Intel chipset ports. H77 has two SATA 6G and four SATA II, for six SATA ports total. Four are implemented as internal ports, one as eSATA and the sixth is not used.

 

[iluvdeal]

If you aren't using some of the internal SATA ports, you can convert them to eSATA with an adapter like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812196141

 

[Zap]

If you aren't using some of the internal SATA ports, you can convert them to eSATA with an adapter like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812196141

AFAIK that still won't support port multipliers.

 

[absqua]

I wish MB makers would put this info into the specs...

Me too. Thanks, all, for the workaround ideas!

 

[Zap]

I wish MB makers would put this info into the specs...

Me too. Thanks, all, for the workaround ideas!

Think about it this way. It is a FEATURE. If it were available, the manufacturer would proudly state the fact as a bullet point. If there is no mention, that means it doesn't.

Also, most desktop chipsets have six SATA ports (except for lowest end, but those boards probably won't have eSATA). If you count fewer than six SATA ports on the motherboard, then the eSATA is using one of the chipset ports, meaning it won't support a port multiplier.

 

[QueBert]

Think about it this way. It is a FEATURE. If it were available, the manufacturer would proudly state the fact as a bullet point. If there is no mention, that means it doesn't.

Also, most desktop chipsets have six SATA ports (except for lowest end, but those boards probably won't have eSATA). If you count fewer than six SATA ports on the motherboard, then the eSATA is using one of the chipset ports, meaning it won't support a port multiplier.

Problem is manafacturs don't list it in specs. Go on Newegg, head to the MB section and search for "port multiplier" you'll get zero results. I find it impossible to believe that they don't have a single MB that has it. Tracking down one that supports it isn't an easy task. A few MB's I discovered have it don't even list it in the specs. If I want to find a MB with SATA 6.0 or USB 3.0 it's easy to look up. Not sure why Port Multiplier's something never mentioned.