PATA to SATA converters

[smallcaps]

i have done a little searching on the forum but have not found anything about connecting PATA drives to SATA on-board controllers and there reliability.

i am currently upgrading to a new desktop computer, having worked closely with both PC and MAC, and have decided that a PC is the way to go for most bang for the buck since i need a workstation for Photoshop, Aftereffects, zbrush and PTassembler.

my setup is as follows


AMD Athlon 64 3200+
G.E.I.L. 1 GB DDR-500 Kit
Asus A8N-VM CSM
Zalman CNPS7700-CU
aspire X-Qpack
3 x PATA to SATA converters
LG DVD re-writer
2 x 120GB IDE hard drives

as you can tell, i have tried to keep the costs as low as possible so i have cut corners for now, but have chosen a computer with some upgrade potential. in order to do this i am migrating my previous hard drives (RAIDed 120 WD JBs from an old G4 Powermac) and DVD drive to this new computer but would like to use SATA because the motherboard supports it and the case is small.

i found these converters on ebay

PATA to SATA converters

and bought them because they are ultimately cheaper then buying them locally in my home city of berlin, germany, and buying a new hard drive would put my budget over the top.

sorry for the long post but what i finally wanted to ask was, has anyone had any expierence with these converters of converters like it? i have see posts for SATA to PATA converters but not the other way around. also, any imput on anything that involves this setup and the devices in it would be very apriciated. i am still waiting for some of the components to be delivered, and i haven't put together a computer like this since my old celeron 300A back in college!

thanks for any imput you can provide!

 

[nst6563]

I had a converter similar to that. All I can say is that once you install it...leave it. They're made cheaply and the SATA connector is total CRAP on them. The SATA connector on mine got real loose just from traveling and the cable moving slightly inside the case. It snaped after removing the drive a few times despite my being very careful.

If you did get one like that, I'd suggest re-enforcing the SATA connector with some good epoxy as to prevent flexing and breakage.

Other than that, the build looks decent enough since you're on a budget.

 

[Matt126]

I used one with no problems at all. Even linux recognized the drive perfectly as a SATA drive.

No problems here, although you don't gain any performance from it.

-Matt