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Simple HDD connector question

S

SirFelixCat

Senior member
Probably a dumb question, but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere...

I'm buying 2 new WD HDD's both of which are OEM SATA drives. I have only used IDE HDD's previously.

What cables do I need to order to install the 2 new HDD's correctly?


TIA
 
Originally posted by: Greenman
Sata cables. One or two should have come with your motherboard.
Click to expand...

Let's assume it doesn't (ordering all of the new comp. tonight).


These would be perfect...and the only connection I would need for each drive, correct?

 
Thanks fellas. Went ahead and ordered the WD ones...for $20, why not...i just paid $1500 for my new rig tonight...might as well go the extra few bucks for quality.
 
Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin
Better make sure your power supply has SATA hard drive power connectors as well otherwise you'll need adapters.
Click to expand...


Here is a bit of confusion for me...and boy this is probably going to sound really stupid...


The WD SATA connectors connect to the SATA connecotr and the power connector and then connect to the mobo. Does it get its power via the PS thru the mobo in that case?
 
Originally posted by: SirFelixCat
Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin
Better make sure your power supply has SATA hard drive power connectors as well otherwise you'll need adapters.
Click to expand...


Here is a bit of confusion for me...and boy this is probably going to sound really stupid...


The WD SATA connectors connect to the SATA connecotr and the power connector and then connect to the mobo. Does it get its power via the PS thru the mobo in that case?
Click to expand...

SATA has a power connector and a data connector, no power is transferred over the data connector. The hard drive gets all its power off the PSU directly, not the motherboard.
 
Ok, now I'm back at the confusion I was at 10 mins ago.

That first link that JCKC provided showed that there are two different power connectors on a SATA HDD. The 15-pin SATA power connector and a 4-pin DC power connector and it says that only one may be used.


I have ordered 2 of THESE which use the 15-pin SATA power connector as well as the signal connector which then plugs directly into the mobo. No other connections. So, will that connector then get its power from the PSU thru the mobo and no other connections need to be made?

IOW, the only cable physically hooked up to SATA HDD's will be the one WD cable linked above, right?
 
No. Your assumption is not correct.

Here is a pic of a standard sata data cable compared to ide ide vs sata data
Pata data = 40 pins
Sata data = 7 pins


Here is a pic of the standard sata power cable vs pata sata vs pata power Pata power = 4 pins
Sata power = 15 pins

Note that the cables you ordered DO NOT supply power to the hard drives. You will have to use the 4 pin molex to achieve this. Luckily, the wd drives come with both the original 4 pin and the newer sata 15 pin power connecters.

Personally, I use the standard sata cables, that come with the power supplies and the motherboards. The newer style although still fragile, have a little clip that locks them in.
 
you can use molex to supply power for the WD's

but you will need a SATA cables from mobo to HD, usually they're colored red by default
 
The WD cables you linked above do cover the SATA data and power connectors, but only actually connect to the SATA data pins.

Not having seen these cables up close, I am going to go out on a limb and make a guess: I'll bet they have pass-through on the other side that allowd you to plug the SATA power connector into the SecureConnect cable.

If not, then you will have to use a 4 pin Molex for power as the SecureConnect would be blocking the SATA power.
 
If there is a SATA power connector and a Molex power connector (as seen on the Raptor) do NOT use both power connectors and the same time. You will kill the drive this way. If the drives have Molex connectors, use the Molex connectors from your PSU. I find the SATA power connectors come unplugged very easily if jostled about.
 
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