Is the WD SE16 320GB Compatible?

[RandysWay]

Call me an idiot but I've never really stayed up with the tech on HDD's, so I've got a few questions. My motherboard is an ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe and I currently have a WD Raptor SATA 74GB and a WD Caviar PATA 200GB.

I'd like to purchase a WD SE16 Caviar 320GB from NewEgg (Link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136003)) but even though it's SATA II, is it compatible with my mobo? I think I've read somewhere that theres a selector switch between SATA and SATA II for compatibility - is this true? Just want to make sure this will work before I spring for the purchase.

Thanks! :)

[drizzt81]

Most SATA-II HDDs are downwards compatible without having to use a jumper.

[RandysWay]

Most SATA-II HDDs are downwards compatible without having to use a jumper.

So, is the WD SE16 320GB compatible? I'd like to order this drive as soon as possible. Thank you! :)

[Blue Falcon]

YES!

[RandysWay]

You guys sure that this drive is backwards compatible? On the specification sheet for it (Model # WD3200KS) it only lists "SATA 300 MB/s" under Interface. Sorry.. I just don't want to buy something and have it not work with my system. ;) I'd love to get this ordered tonight.

Thanks! :D

[RandysWay]

I've been looking at the reviews for this drive and a 320GB SATA II Seagate on NewEgg. The way I understand it is you use a jumper to select between SATA 150/300? The reviewers were saying that the Seagate ships with a jumper already on SATA 150 but the Western Digital drive doesn't come with a jumper, period.

So my question is, is the jumper to select SATA 150 on the WD SE16 320GB a standard 2-pin Jumper? If so, I have a few laying around here from old 10-20 GB drives. ;)

Thanks..

[Blue Falcon]

I'm not even sure that the WD drives have such a jumper setting, but you should be 99% confident that the 320GB WD SATA II drive will work with your older SATA I (1.5GB/sec) board. The SATA specification relies on backwards compatability as one of it's main features.

The reason the Seagate has the 1.5GB/sec <-> 3.0GB/sec jumper is for that VERY rare occasion when strict SATA I compatability is needed.

[RandysWay]

Thanks, Falcon. :D I just ordered my SE16 320GB from NewEgg for a Grand Total of $112.60 before the $10.00 MIR. ;)