SATA and sata power cables

[[K]entor]

In my current pc I'm using the 4 pin molex for my SATA drive and everything is fine. For my new computer I don't know which to connect. Is there an advantage by using the sata power cables instead of the 4 pin molex?

I would rather use the 4 pin because the sata power cable is ugly.....

 

[Sunin]

In my current pc I'm using the 4 pin molex for my SATA drive and everything is fine. For my new computer I don't know which to connect. Is there an advantage by using the sata power cables instead of the 4 pin molex?

I would rather use the 4 pin because the sata power cable is ugly.....

LOL never heard them called ugly, but the reason I used the Sata power cables was to free up additional molex for fans as I plan on putting in 3 additional fans. Use what you want, its your rig! Not advantages to be found. Hell some kits come with molex to sata converters...

David

 

[Yoshiyuki Blade]

Aren't the SATA power plugs good for the "hotplug" feature? I don't know if I'm right though. Hotplug is the ability to add/remove drives without shutting down the computer... I think.

 

[[K]entor]

ty sunin

 

[Nomikal]

plus they take up less space...

 

[IanG]

Aren't the SATA power plugs good for the "hotplug" feature? I don't know if I'm right though. Hotplug is the ability to add/remove drives without shutting down the computer... I think.

You're right. The ground pins are longer in the sata connector to ensure they connect first, but it's still the same voltages getting sent to the drive.

 

[zandor]

For the most part it really doesn't matter as long as you don't use both on the same drive. I mean, how many of us hot swap internal drives?

I like to keep adapters and splitters to a minimum, so I'd probably use them if they're built into the PSU. It frees up the Molexs for other stuff (fans, opticals, etc.).