Powering the WD Raptor

[Ajwhipple]

I just purchased a Western Digital Raptor 74 GB drive. It somes with a SecureConnect cable that has one end that connects to the SATA connector on the motherboard, and the other end that connects to both the 15-pin power and 7-pin data SATA connectors on the drive. The drive end of the cable is a single molded connector that covers both SATA connectors on the drive.

Does WD expect the motherboard to supply enough power to the drive? I can of course supply power to the 4-pin Molex connector on the drive, but WD warns against connecting both the Molex and SATa power connectors. If I want to use the SATA power connector on my power supply, then I'll have to buy a separate data cable.

Has anyone else had experience with this SecureConnect cable?

 

[JBT]

I have a secure connect. it does NOT supply power to the drive. It actually blocks the SATA power connector nothing more. You need to use a standard molex connector to power the drive.

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: JBT
I have a secure connect. it does NOT supply power to the drive. It actually blocks the SATA power connector nothing more. You need to use a standard molex connector to power the drive.

 

[Ajwhipple]

Originally posted by: JBT
I have a secure connect. it does NOT supply power to the drive. It actually blocks the SATA power connector nothing more. You need to use a standard molex connector to power the drive.

I thought that might be the case, but I didn't want to chance frying the drive with 2 power connections. Thank you for your help.

Why would WD supply a cable that blocks the SATA power port anyway? It seems like they're purposely limiting your options.

 

[beatle]

Do you have to plug in the SATA power part of the Secure Connect cable? If not, you could use the SATA connector.

WD probably figures most people will just plug everything in regardless, and this may help avoid some warranty claims.

 

[Ajwhipple]

Originally posted by: beatle
Do you have to plug in the SATA power part of the Secure Connect cable? If not, you could use the SATA connector.

WD probably figures most people will just plug everything in regardless, and this may help avoid some warranty claims.

Yeah, unfortunately it's all molded into one connection. Each end has a protrusion that fits into a socket on the drive. I can't just plug in one part or the other.

I guess it's no big deal since I can just use the existing 4-pin Molex connectors on my PSU. I just wish they had explained it a little better in the instructions.

 

[JBT]

Pretty sure since the RAptor isn't true SATA its a SATA to PATA drive you are really spose to use the Molex anyways. SATA power is there but they recommend to uses the standard one.

Also the secure connect is designed to make the connector stronger so basically they cover that up so they don't even have to worry about that part neing snapped off. The just force you to use molex as it is like 500x stronger than the wimpy SATA connectors.

 

[Ajwhipple]

Originally posted by: JBT
Pretty sure since the RAptor isn't true SATA its a SATA to PATA drive you are really spose to use the Molex anyways. SATA power is there but they recommend to uses the standard one.

Also the secure connect is designed to make the connector stronger so basically they cover that up so they don't even have to worry about that part neing snapped off. The just force you to use molex as it is like 500x stronger than the wimpy SATA connectors.

Where did you find the info about the Raptor being a PATA to SATA drive? I can't find anything like that on the WD site.

Also, why is the strength of the connection so important? I don't plan to play raquetball inside my case.

 

[JBT]

I don't have a specific link but all the early SATA drives were except some of the Seagates. All had a SATA to PATA bridge chip in them. It doesn't matter at all for performance so its not a big deal. As for the strength of the connection. You can use a regular SATA cable if you like its no problem. But MANY people have broken the SATA connectors on SATA drives just installing hardware or installing the drive its self. The SATA connectors are VERY flimsy. A slight bump in the wrong direction can snap the little thing right off. I do not reccommend playing raquetball in there it would not only snap the connector but would likely destroy all the components in your computer. If your careful go ahead and use a plain SATA cable you'll probably be fine. I got a secure connect just incase I ever accidently made a mistake and bumped it to hard. I felt it was a worth while investment for my data and drive.

 

[Ajwhipple]

Well, now that you mention it, I did see a couple of SATA cables with broken connectors. Since I didn't do the breaking, I don't really know how easily they broke. Since my Raptor came with a SecureConnect cable, I'll use that rather than spend the money on a new cable.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[ViRGE]

JBT, the Raptor is a true SATA drive, at least as far as the logic board goes. It was one of the first.

 

[billyjak]

I would use the secure lock as I toasted 2-- 36gig raptors breaking off the tabs, they're very easy to break off especially if your drives are turned toward the side of the case as mine are. I now have the secure lock on all my raptors.

 

[Kenazo]

the method of connecting the power and the data cables with SATA must have been designed by some engineer that really doesn't use a computer. Not only are they easy to break, they slide off far too easily. I've worked inside my computer on something, put the side back on my case and booted up only to find out I'd unplugged the power or the data cables. the IDE/Molex connectors were a far better design, imho.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
JBT, the Raptor is a true SATA drive, at least as far as the logic board goes. It was one of the first.

Nope, the Raptor is a PATA drive with a PATA to SATA bridge chip: the Marvell 88i8030C bridge chip.

Seagate made the first true native SATA drive (the 7200.7, which is, ironically enough, one of the slower SATA drives). I believe Maxtor is the second with the Maxline III/Diamondmax 10 line with a true SATA drive.

It really doesn't matter though; Raptors still have the 10K rpm and super-fast seek time that give them their characteristic performance.