What is SATA/ATA?

jhonrox

jhonrox

New Member
Could somebody please describe to me the difference between SATA/ATA and a normal IDE? which one is better? as in speed, cost, reliability etc.

Thanks in advance! :)
 
It all depends on if your motherboard even supports SATA. But the difference between the two is IDE uses a flat ribbon cable that is about 2" wide. A Sata cable is only about 3/8" wide. SATA speed will be somewhat faster than IDE. But like I said before, your motherboard must support SATA for you to even consider switching.
 
Is it supported?

johnb35 said:
your motherboard must support SATA for you to even consider switching.
Click to expand...

This is the information I got when I used an application called PC Wizard 2008:

Manufacturer General Information
Product : HP Vectra
Version : VL420

Mainboard General Information
Manufacturer : Hewlett-Packard (HP)
Product : HP System Board
Version : A04
Support MP : Yes, 1 CPU(s)
Version MPS : 1.1

Connectors
USB : Access Bus (USB)
USB : Access Bus (USB)
USB : Access Bus (USB)
USB : Access Bus (USB)
Serial 16550A Compatible : DB-9 male
Serial 16550A Compatible : DB-9 male
Parallel ECP/EPP : DB25 male
Keyboard : PS/2
Mouse : PS/2
Audio : Mini-jack (headphones)
Audio : Mini-jack (headphones)
Audio : Mini-jack (headphones)
Network : RJ-45
Click to expand...

So how do I know if this motherboard will accept SATA? I was hoping that I could use an interface card which goes in a PCI slot to provide 2 internal & 1 external SATA connectivity options. Will this work?

More help, please?
Thanks!!
 
I was hoping that I could use an interface card which goes in a PCI slot to provide 2 internal & 1 external SATA connectivity options. Will this work?
Click to expand...
Yes that will work. If you plan to install windows XP to a drive connected to that controller you will need a floppy with drivers. The card should come with instructions on how to do this.
 
With PC 133 memory, you don't have onboard SATA ports. A PCI SATA controller card may work.
 
This is you board. As far as I can tell it doesnt have Sata ports. So like said , plus since you want a external Sata the PCI card would be your best option.

c00183050.jpg


http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=tis09358
 
Cromewell said:
Yes that will work. If you plan to install windows XP to a drive connected to that controller .....
Click to expand...

Thanks to everybody who've helped so far.

If I use one of those PCI interface cards, would there be any kind of restictions? Things like speed, or hard drive capacity? Also, since Cromewell mentioned installing Windows XP, do I have to stick with using it as a master? Or can I use it as a slave drive as well?

Thanks again! :D
 
If I use one of those PCI interface cards, would there be any kind of restictions? Things like speed, or hard drive capacity?
Click to expand...
The only speed restriction is by the total speed of the bus the card is plugged into.

Cromewell mentioned installing Windows XP, do I have to stick with using it as a master? Or can I use it as a slave drive as well?
Click to expand...
SATA doesn't have master and slave drives.
 
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