Plextor PX-712SA vs. PX-712A

[Carbo]

I'm looking to purchase either of the above models. The specs are the same, of course. The difference is the SA model is SATA, while the other is the IDE.
Does it matter which one I go with? Is either going to make a difference in real world performance? Is either easier to install, set up, and use?
It's going into a new Dell Dimension 4600, if that makes a difference. Thanks.

 

[jdogg707]

I believe that in order to use a SATA ATAPI drive, that you must have a SATA connector that supports that feature. I do not believe that connectors coming off of the ICH5R support it, but do believe it was fixed with the new ICH6. It may be only a simple SATA BIOS Flash that is needed to make it work, or you may have to buy a PCI SATA card. I would go with the IDE, as I see there being zero real world performance difference, but if you like smaller cables, SATA is the way!

 

[Carbo]

Considering the price difference, and the availability of the IDE over the SATA model, I think IDE is the way to go. If the big difference is cable size, I'll go with the IDE and make my kid fan the box if it gets too hot. Thanks.

 

[Warlord721]

Originally posted by: jdogg707
I believe that in order to use a SATA ATAPI drive, that you must have a SATA connector that supports that feature. I do not believe that connectors coming off of the ICH5R support it, but do believe it was fixed with the new ICH6. It may be only a simple SATA BIOS Flash that is needed to make it work, or you may have to buy a PCI SATA card. I would go with the IDE, as I see there being zero real world performance difference, but if you like smaller cables, SATA is the way!

Hmmm I hadn't heard that before, where did you get that information?

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: Warlord721

Originally posted by: jdogg707
I believe that in order to use a SATA ATAPI drive, that you must have a SATA connector that supports that feature. I do not believe that connectors coming off of the ICH5R support it, but do believe it was fixed with the new ICH6. It may be only a simple SATA BIOS Flash that is needed to make it work, or you may have to buy a PCI SATA card. I would go with the IDE, as I see there being zero real world performance difference, but if you like smaller cables, SATA is the way!

Hmmm I hadn't heard that before, where did you get that information?

Here's a chunk from the Anandtech article about support for SATA Optical drives in the new chipsets:

"The new Southbridge also supports four SATA ports, which double the available SATA ports from ICH5. The new SATA ports can support either hard drives or optical devices with hot plug capabilities and Native Command Queuing (NCQ). While the SATA support is still SATA 1 (150MB/s), Intel claims that the new NCQ feature allows faster boots and increases file transfer speeds."

I have also read several threads on here about it, I'll try and find them and link to them.