SATA Power ADAPTER For WD RAPTOR 150

[Googer]

I have a Western Digital RAPTOR 150 GB and an older PSU with standard 4 Pin Molex connectors. I thought I would use a Molex to SATA adapter but found out the schematics don't match up. Molex plugs supply 5v and 12v to legacy hard drives. While the newer SATA specification calls for 5V, 12v, and now 3.3V to power SATA hard drives.


My question is, has anyone used SATA Power adapters on WD Raptor 150 Hard Drives? Do they need 3.3v to run? Will a power adapter fry the drive?

 

[AlucardX]

i think you're reading too much into things.

i use molex->sata power adapters on all my SATA HD's without any issues. one of them is a 74gb raptor (though i can't remember if this model has a legacy molex or not)

 

[Dahak]

ive uses the adaptors fine with no problems too
i believe the 3.3v is for hot swapping primarily, or planned to help may lower powered drives ... I could be wrong on that bit

 

[MadAmos]

From Wikipedia FWIW


"Adaptors are available to convert a 4-pin Molex connector to SATA power connector. However, because the 4-pin Molex connectors do not provide 3.3 V power, these adapters provide only 5 V and 12 V power and leave the 3.3 V lines disconnected. This precludes the use of such adapters with drives that require 3.3 V power. Understanding this, drive manufacturers have largely left the 3.3 V power lines unused. However, without 3.3 V power, the SATA device may not be able to implement hotplugging as mentioned in the previous paragraph."

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: AlucardX
i think you're reading too much into things.

i use molex->sata power adapters on all my SATA HD's without any issues. one of them is a 74gb raptor (though i can't remember if this model has a legacy molex or not)

I meant to add to the opening post that I need to know from people whom have used the 150 not the 74 or the 36.

The 74GB raptor is a different animal. Electronically It was an older legacy PATA drive with a SATA bridge built in. The electronics were designed to operate at 5v while the newer 150GB raptor's electronics were designed from the ground to be native SATA.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: MadAmos
From Wikipedia FWIW


"Adaptors are available to convert a 4-pin Molex connector to SATA power connector. However, because the 4-pin Molex connectors do not provide 3.3 V power, these adapters provide only 5 V and 12 V power and leave the 3.3 V lines disconnected. This precludes the use of such adapters with drives that require 3.3 V power. Understanding this, drive manufacturers have largely left the 3.3 V power lines unused. However, without 3.3 V power, the SATA device may not be able to implement hotplugging as mentioned in the previous paragraph."

Thank you, do you have a link?