Noob Question

[Shakezilla]

What is the difference between SATA and PATA? Thanks

[ScYcS]

The differences are (except from various electronical differences):

- new standard for the last 2(?) years

- faster data transfer in theory (up to 150MB/s right now)

- Sata has a smaller connector

- Sata has a different power connector

- Sata has smaller cables (narrower)

- Sata doesn't know master/slave (every device is a master)


- Pata is the standard for the last whatever decades

- Data transfer limited to a theoretical throughput of 133MB/s

- big connectors

- Broad cables (40/80 pin)

- standard 12V power connectors

- Master/slave jumpers

[Shakezilla]

So SATA = better and newer?

[ScYcS]

not really necessarily better. Newer yes.

There are drives out there that are much better in Sata than Pata (Raptor series), but that is due to their rotational speed of 10000rpms and not because it's Sata.

Right now, a really good Pata drive performs equally well as it's Sata counterpart.

[Daynja]

In reality, the biggest advantages to SATA are the smaller cable and connector.