SATA data and power cables for hard drives, SSDs and optical drives in desktops, workstations and servers. Latching, angled, slimline, eSATA, extension and splitter cables from Delock, StarTech.com, Lindy, Equip and Digitus.
How to choose the right SATA cable
- Data and power are separate. A SATA drive needs a 7-pin data cable to the motherboard or controller and a 15-pin power connector from the power supply. Combo cables carry both in one lead.
- Speed. SATA I, II and III use the same connector. Any good SATA cable works on a 6 Gb/s port; cables marked SATA III / 6 Gb/s are tested for it.
- Length. Keep internal data cables at 1 m or less. Shorter is tidier and more reliable.
- Latching. A metal clip holds the plug in the port, so it does not work loose from vibration or when you move the case.
- Angled plugs. Up, down, left or right-angled plugs help when the port sits next to a graphics card or the side panel. Check which way your port faces before choosing.
- Power adapters and splitters. Molex (LP4) to SATA adapters suit older power supplies. Splitters add drives to one cable; avoid putting many 3.5" hard drives on a single lead.
- Slimline SATA is the smaller connector on slim optical drives. It will not fit a standard SATA cable without an adapter.
- eSATA is for external drives and needs an eSATA port. Its plug is different from internal SATA, so the two are not interchangeable.
- SAS / SFF-8087 breakout cables come in forward and reverse versions. Forward goes from a RAID/HBA controller to drives; reverse goes from motherboard SATA ports to a backplane. Picking the wrong one will not work.
Not sure which one fits? Send us the motherboard or drive model and we will check it for you. Call +357 25 878 758 or email [email protected].