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2.5" HDD Question

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PanzerKrieg13

Gawd
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Jun 20, 2005
Messages
982
So, it's been awhile since I've built a computer... hence forgive any ignorance or just lack of memory on my part. I'm also not sure where to put this, but figured general hardware should be sufficient.

I'm putting together a "new" build from spare parts I have scattered around my house and garage. I have two spare 2.5" SATA hard drives pulled from 2 laptops sometime back, both laptops were Asus I think.

I want to use these hard drives if possible to save space, but have questions about how to install and connect them properly in a desktop so I don't destroy something. I know there are 2.5" to 3.5" HDD mounting adapters so that part is easy. My questions come with the data and power cables.

#1. Does a 2.5" laptop hard drive use the same SATA data connector & cable as a standard 3.5" hard drive? (if not, obviously it will require an adapter)

#2. My second question is about power. The Hitachi 160GB says +5v, 700mA DC. The Seagate 320GB says +5v, 451mA DC. Will this require an adapter to regulate the voltage so I don't fry these drives? I think a standard power connector would kill it?

Anyway, thanks!
 
The amps (mA in this case) are just the power draw, you don't have to worry about supplying too many amps. It'll only use what it needs (in a manner of speaking). Most 2.5" drives have standard SATA connectors, although there are mini connectors around. I'm not sure what they are used on, maybe 1.8" drives?
 
I was just talking with my dad about this. We both seem to remember an adapter at Fry's. One side plugs into the HDD, the other side plugs into the data and power cables. I'll be stopping by there tomorrow to see if I find that, or something else. But I'm sure either way a Fry's trip will answer my own questions. Now I just wish this lost knowledge would flow back into my head.
 
The 2.5" adaptor was only for ide drives, as they used a smaller pin spacing, and added the power on the same pin connector.

So far I have seen, all sata are the same, I haven't seen the mini-sata connectors so far. The only thing I know of that uses anything different is some cdrom drives power connector.
 
I've never seen a 2.5" SATA drive with non standard connectors. Should not require any adapters, just plug in regular power and data cables.
 
To back up what everyone else has said, 3.5" and 2.5" sata drives use the same power and data connections, and 1.8" drives use a modified (but still "standard") set of connectors. SATA power connectors carry 12v, 5v, and optionally 3.3v simultaneously. The 1.8" connectors require a 3.3v feed because the drives operate on 3.3v, your 2.5" drive will function just fine by simply plugging in the data and power cables you would already use on a 3.5" drive. The only difficulty you may run into is securing the drive in the system chassis, as most are not manufactured to support 2.5" drives. Mounting adapters are available, or if you are really cheap (like me) some small strips of velcro may suffice.
 
I use 2.5" SATA laptop drives in my server and firewall as the OS drives. It works fine, no worries (and uses a lot less power than desktop drives).

In fact, with a spare drive I have I am planning on adding it to my desktop as a scratch drive.
 
2.5" SATA will be have standard connectors. No different from a full 3.5 except it draws less power.
 
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