What is SATA? In short, this is how almost everything related to storage is connected to the motherboard. If you have owned a desktop computer or laptop within the last fifteen years, you can be sure that it is Serial ATA (SATA) compatible hardware. Whether it's a hard drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD) or optical drive, until recently SATA was almost always used.
This is not always the case as there are new standards that apply to high speed drives. But along with PCIe and NVMe, SATA remains an important player, especially for larger HDDs and SSDs.
Read on as we take a closer look at what SATA is, and be sure to check out our guide on what an SSD is, as well as our guide to some of the best SSDs available today.
Although there are countless computer products labeled as SATA devices, they are called SATA because they use the SATA interface. In other words, your computer is connected through two SATA ports: one on the drive and the other on the motherboard.
Although the SATA connector is described as a single port or connector, SATA contains two ports: a data connector and a power connector. The first is a short, L-shaped, seven-pin connector, while the second is a longer, 15-pin connector—the taller "L" of the two.
The two connectors are typically located opposite the drive they allow connection to, with the bases of their respective L-shapes facing each other. In addition to their length, they can be distinguished by the cables connected to them. SATA data cables are typically made of hard plastic and are a flat, single-ribbon cable, while SATA power connectors have several thin round wires of different colors coming out of their connectors.
SATA devices require both cables to operate, and they serve different purposes. Data cables provide a high-speed connection to the rest of the computer, passing information back and forth as needed, while power cables primarily provide operational power to the drives.
While most computers have used SATA devices in recent years, there are a few different types worth noting. SATA was first introduced in 2000, replacing the outdated PATA ribbon cable. It was revised in 2003, and again in 2004 and 2008, bringing SATA to its third edition, commonly known as SATA III or 3.0. These standards increase speed and add additional features for faster, more reliable drives, but do not change the appearance of the SATA connector itself. SATA III is by far the most commonly used SATA interface, although five editions have been released since its introduction, namely 3.1 to 3.5.
In version 3.1, SATA focuses on improving the performance of SSDs by allowing the host computer to recognize the capacity of its hardware device and the port that makes USB possible, the Universal Storage Module (USM). Improvements in version 3.2 include USM reduction, the use of micro-SSD to reduce the size of storage components, the addition of USB 3.0 ports, and reduced power requirements for continuous device operation. Version 3.3 gives users more choice and flexibility, including phased boot options and activity indicators, as well as improved data center maintenance and hard drive space. The 2018 SATA Update (version 3.4) adds improvements such as monitoring SATA device temperature, writing critical data to cache, and improved manufacturer compatibility while minimizing the impact on your PC's performance. The 2020 update to version 3.5 gives the host device greater control over the order in which commands are processed and reduces latency for improved performance.
Over the years, several alternative SATA interfaces have emerged, such as mSATA, first introduced in 2011 for laptop drives. The latest generation of this technology is the M.2 standard. Today's fastest drives have surpassed the mSATA interface and now use PCI Express ports for even greater performance.
SATA Express was first introduced in 2013 with SATA 3.2 and is cross-compatible with SATA III and PCI Express drives. However, eSATA is not a popular choice when it comes to SATA speeds for external drives. Today, most high-speed external drives use USB 3.0 connections, often using Type-C connectors.
In 2008, SATA was the standard for HDDs and SSDs for PCs and laptops, but now we're moving beyond SATA. Of particular interest are M.2 drives that support the latest NVMe protocol. These SSDs offer the highest level of performance and will therefore appeal to enthusiasts who value performance above all else.
M.2 and NVMe drives are not connected by SATA cables and hence provide better performance. Add to that the benefits of PCI Express 4.0, and you'll find that modern SSDs like the Samsung 980 Pro have transfer speeds of 7GB/s. This equates to speeds of over 50 Gbps, well above SATA III's hard limit of 6 Gbps.
When you buy a new motherboard, you can be sure that SATA cables are included, providing the fastest SATA III connection. However, if you're connecting a SATA drive to an existing PC, you'll likely have to use some sort of adapter cable, which can be a good approach if you're using the right hardware. On the other hand, if you are using a SATA adapter connected to USB, you may find that the connection speed is limited, so we strongly recommend that you use your own SATA III cable whenever possible.
SATA stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, which means almost everything storage-related connects to your computer's motherboard. SATA is a class of hardware that provides this functionality.
SATA ports are used to connect storage components (SSD, etc.) to the computer's motherboard. SATA uses two ports: a data connector and a power connector.
Today's fastest drives have surpassed the mSATA interface and now use PCI Express ports for even greater performance. Although PCIe SSDs can transfer data faster, their battery life is not as good as SATA SSDs.
Given the recent increase in remote roles, it makes sense that mouse shakers are becoming more prominent. If more workers work from home and away from direct employer supervision, employers will try to find new ways to supervise remote workers. These employees will resist their employer's supervision. This is why products like mouse shake eventually became popular.
This weird little tech solution is being used to, among other things, stop certain types of micromanagement and help employees manage their time on their own terms. But do mouse shakers work? Are shakers allowed in the workplace? Here's everything you need to know. What is a mouse shaker?
Sometimes, whether you're chatting with friends or posting on social media, words alone aren't enough—you need GIFs to fully express your feelings. If you want to cut a moment from a YouTube video into a GIF, the good news is that you don't need complicated software to do it. There are now several ways to make a GIF from a YouTube video right in your browser.
If you want to create GIFs using desktop software like Photoshop, you'll need to download a video from YouTube before you can start creating GIFs. However, if you don't want to deal with this problem, there are several ways to create GIFs directly in the browser without downloading anything. This is ideal if you're using a low-spec laptop or phone, since all the GIF creation processing is done in the cloud and not on your computer. Using these options, you can create quick and funny GIFs from YouTube videos in just a few minutes. Great customization with GIFs.com. Step 1: Find the YouTube video you want to convert to GIF (NASA archive maybe?) and copy its URL.
Chromebooks are a great alternative to MacBooks and Windows 10 laptops, but they're not perfect. Problems are bound to happen with any laptop, and some of the most common problems faced by Chromebook users can be difficult or even impossible to fix on your own.
From update issues to internet connection issues, troubleshooting common Chromebook problems doesn't have to ruin your day. Read on to learn simple solutions to the most common problems among Chromebook users. If you have a fancy Pixelbook, check out our companion guide to frequently asked questions about the Pixelbook diagnostic app
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Post time: Apr-16-2024