SATA cable is an essential cable for connecting a computer’s host adapter to storage devices, and before buying an SSD, many people who are new to PCs ask a common question about whether SSDs come with SATA cables or not.
The answer is no. SSDs (solid-state drives) do not come with SATA cables nor HDDs. There can be exceptions, but in most instances, neither SATA data nor SATA Power cable is provided with the hard disk drive. If it doesn’t explicitly mention anything about including a cable on the label, there won’t be any cable.
For more information, continue reading.
What Are SATA Cables?
SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) cable is an industry-standard bus interface for connecting storage devices such as hard disc drives (HDD), optical drives, and solid-state drives (SSD) to a computer’s host bus adaptor.
SATA is a connecter interface that is mostly used for computer bus connections in storage applications. The cables are used to link a mass storage device (e.g., hard disc drives, optical drives, solid-state memory drives) to a host bus adaptor, such as a motherboard, in this application.
SATA cables are often very modest in length because they are utilized internally within the PC. The maximum length is usually around one meter. Larger SATA cables are available, however, they are rarely used because the additional cable length is just not required in conventional installations.
Types Of SATA Cables
There are two types of SATA cable connectors: power and data. The most basic distinction between the two is that data is the smaller of the two (usually 7-pin), whereas power is larger (usually 15-pin). Typically, SATA M2 SSDs do not require SATA connections. These SSDs require only a spare M.2 slot on your motherboard.
These SSD drives receive the power they require from the motherboard and physically connect to the power.
Power Cables
The SATA power cable connector is the larger of the two, with 15 pins. Three connector pins work in parallel to supply different voltages (3.3V, 5V, and 12V). Some early versions include an obsolete four-pin Molex connector (the standard used with PATA cables).
However, most recent SATA power cables only include the newer 15-pin connector. SATA power cords provide advantages such as greater current capacity and lower electrical impedance.
Data Cables
As previously stated, SATA data ports normally have seven pins, as illustrated in the chart below. In a typical installation, one end of the cable is attached to the hard drive, while the other is connected to the motherboard.
SATA data connections are often tiny and compact, allowing for more system cooling area. Differential signaling is also included in these data connectors to limit the chance of data loss during transfer.
What SATA Cable Do You Need?
It depends on what kinds of SSDs you have been using. If you are using the SATA M2 or NVMe M.2 SSDs, then these drives don’t require the SATA cables.
But if you are using the SATA 2.5 SSDs, then you need 2 SATA cables such as the SATA Data Cable and SATA power cable. Both cables are required for different purposes.
In addition to these cables, you need to have a free SATA port on your motherboard too. The SATA data cable here connects to the SATA port on the motherboard on one end and the 2.5″ SSD on the other end.
Can SATA Cables Be Used With All SSDs?
SATA cables are global and widely used. You don’t have to be concerned about which SATA cables you’re using. You can choose any SATA data cables if you plan to buy SATA cables for your new SSD.
Because these connections are the common interface between all motherboards and SSD drives, they will perform the job for you. The only difference between SATA cables is their length.
Are SATA Cables Still Needed?
While modern laptops typically include in-built, purpose-made SATA cables and alternative, faster technologies like PCI Express have since become available, SATA cables are still very much used today. Almost all modern hard drives use the SATA interface and as a general rule, only a few legacy hard drives still use the older PATA interface.
How To Connect SATA Cables?
To install additional SATA storage devices on your PC’s motherboard, follow these steps:
- Turn off your computer and remove the side panel to access the case.
- See your case, then place the storage device in an empty storage bay (3,5′′ or 2,5′′).
- Depending on your situation, the gadget will either snap into place automatically or may need to be tightened.
- Check to see if the SATA connection ports are easily accessible with the length of SATA cable you have available.
- Connect one end of the SATA cable to the hard drive, then connect the other end to one of your motherboard’s free SATA ports.
- Begin with a SATA port number (Check your motherboard manual or the print on the motherboard itself to find out which port to use)
- When you’ve finished connecting the SATA cable to the appropriate ports, make sure the connection is secure.
- Close your case and restart your PC. Check to see whether your operating system has automatically recognized the drive.
Versions Of SATA cables
SATA cables are available in several generations, each with its own set of speeds and characteristics.
- SATA I is the first-generation interface and operates at 1.5Gb/s with a maximum bandwidth throughput of 150MB/s.
- SATA II is the second-generation interface and operates at 3Gb/s. The maximum bandwidth throughput of SATA II is 300MB/s.
- SATA III is the third-generation interface and has a transfer rate of 6Gb/s with a bandwidth throughput of 600MB/s.
Conclusion
SATA cables do not come with SSDs. Instead, the SATA cables are included with the motherboards and power supplies. Often, motherboards have a SATA Data cable, and power supplies provide a SATA Power wire.
