Probably, each of us, when choosing a computer component, has encountered incomprehensible names that could affect the compatibility of devices. So, without understanding the necessary connectors, the user experienced a system crash or other similar problems.

Typically, those who bought a ready-made PC do not face the need to study interfaces. This is necessary for those who independently assemble the system, from the motherboard to thermal paste, or who have problems with one of the devices and require replacement.

What is this?

The SATA interface is a serial interface that allows you to exchange information with drives. On motherboard There is a SATA connector, and the same connector is included.

Start

This type of connector appeared thanks to the previous one, with a similar name ATA. It had a parallel circuit, but was noticeably outdated, especially by 2017. In general, plans for its replacement began in 2000. Then Intel gathered around itself specialists who became part of a special development group. So this included the now well-known partners Seagate, Dell, Quantum, Maxtor, etc.

After a couple of years, the interface hard drive SATA has become a reality for device manufacturers. In 2002, the first motherboards with this connector entered the market. It began to be used as a data transmitter through network devices. The very next year it was introduced into modern variations of the motherboard.

New

It must be said that the new product is compatible at the software level with all hardware devices and is a high-speed data transmitter. If PATA has 40 contacts, then for SATA there are only 7. The cable occupies a small area, so air resistance is significantly reduced, and therefore the system components do not overheat. It's much easier now with the wires inside the system unit.

The cable was also made of higher quality so that you don’t have to worry about its condition after multiple connections. The power cable has also been redesigned. By the way, it supplies three voltages at once along several lines: +12, +5 and +3.3 V. Considering that modern devices have largely switched to operating the +3.3 V line, therefore they often use a passive adapter, which is often found in combination with motherboard: IDE to SATA. There are components that, in addition to SATA power supply, can also acquire the Molex format.

Interestingly, the SATA interface also introduced a new connection technology that was previously used by PATA. Nowadays it’s rare to have two devices on one cable. Each device received its own wire, so they now work independently, independently of each other. This eliminated many problems associated with simultaneous operation, system installation, unterminated loops, etc.

Diversity

As mentioned earlier, the interface has two types: one 7-pin, the second 15-pin. The first option is used to connect the data bus, the second option is designed specifically for power. The standard allows users to change the configuration, so it is possible to change a 15-pin type to a Molex type, which has 4 contacts. But you should understand that if you use both types of power connectors, the device will malfunction and you will have to purchase a new one.

The SATA drive interface operates through two channels of information transfer: from the device to the controller and back. Provided standard technologies different types. For example, there is an LVDS function that is responsible for signal transmission.

The types of connectors don't end there. There is also a 13-pin version, which is more often found on servers, gadgets and other thin devices. This connector is combined and consists of 7- and 6-pin. There is also an adapter for this case.

Mini version

Before we find out the types of SATA interfaces, it’s worth talking about one more connector that appeared in revision 2.6. The slimline version was developed for small-sized devices. This refers to optical drives in laptops. Compared to their older version, both connectors are incompatible, since there is a difference in the width of the power connector, and the pin spacing is reduced. In addition, such a connector operates only on one +5 V voltage line. But in general, there are inexpensive adapters for each such connector.

First type

SATA drive interfaces come in a wide variety. Over the course of 15 years, they were improved, improved, finalized and redesigned. As a result, the first revision was released at speeds of up to 1.5 Gbit/s. The standard was introduced in 2003. It was designed to operate at 1.5 Hz, which provided a throughput of 150 MB/s. Considering that these were the first attempts to develop an interface, this result was almost identical to the Ultra ATA performance. Despite the same numbers, the main advantage of the new product was considered to be a serial bus instead of a parallel one.

One might assume that this technology is still inferior in speed, but all shortcomings were compensated by working at high frequencies. This option was available because channel synchronization was no longer necessary and the cord's noise immunity had increased.

Second type

The second revision became known the very next year. Its speed increased noticeably, as did its frequency. The specification now operated at 3 GHz, with a throughput of 3 Gbit/s. Among the new products, we also noted the appearance of a proprietary nForce 4 chipset controller. It so happened that no one immediately noticed that both revisions were no longer compatible. Although theoretically this was implied, if we take into account the speed matching. But in reality it turned out that some devices and controllers required manual mode work, all parameters had to be adjusted independently.

Third type

This revision became known only 5 years later, in 2008. The speed of the SATA interface is already 6 Gbit/s. The developers tried to maintain synchronization not only of cables and connectors, but also of protocol exchange.

The novelty later received two more versions. This is how types 3.1 and 3.2 appeared. The first option got mSATA, the so-called option for mobile devices. A technology has also become known in which, in standby mode, optical drive stopped consuming energy. The performance of SSD drives has improved, which has led to their popularity. Also, revision 3.1 acquired host identification of the device’s capabilities and reduced power consumption.

Revision 3.2 received another name Express. The design has changed slightly, in which the port looks like two assembled connectors in length. Thus, it became possible to use two types of drives: SATA and SATA Express. The speed has increased to 8 Gbit/s if you connect only through one port, but if you use two at once - then 16 Gbit/s. Among other things, new products included in this revision include new interfaceµSSD.

Variety

In addition to the main types, the SATA interface (HDD) has acquired modifications. So in 2004, eSATA became known, which made it possible to connect external devices, while it was possible to use “ hot swap».

This standard has a number of features. For example, the connectors are not as fragile as the original type. They are created specifically for multiple connections. They are not SATA compatible and also have shielded connectors.

To use this type, you need to get two wires, including a data bus and a power cable. It was also decided to lengthen the wire to 2 meters so that there would be no more losses, and the signal levels were changed.

Decreased

In 2009, another SATA interface appeared, but with reduced parameters. Mini-SATA is considered a form factor solid state drives. Typically such devices have small dimensions of 61x30x3 mm. Such hard disks placed in netbooks and other devices that accept smaller copies of SSD drives. The connector for them is called mSATA and copies the PCI Express Mini Card. Both types are electrically compatible, but require switching.

Flaw

Also known to the world is eSATAp, which was developed from eSATA. His main task was to combine the interface with the familiar USB2.0. Its advantage was considered to be the transmission of information via +5 and +12 V channels. There was also a similar option for laptops.

Perspective

Despite the fact that the SATA interface is still active in different devices, it is being developed and developed, many analogues appear on the market, which in the future may become a replacement for this standard. SAS, for example, is somewhat faster and more reliable, although more expensive. Compatible with SATA, but consumes more power.

Thunderbolt also showed itself on the positive side. Designed for connection peripheral devices to PC. Appeared for the first time in 2010. Intel Company developed this type to replace all popular interfaces. The transmission speed reaches 10 Gbps, the length is up to 3 meters, supports many useful protocols, as well as the possibility of “hot plugging”.

On this moment the most common interface is . Although SATA can be found on sale, the interface is already considered obsolete, and they have already begun to arrive with.

This should not be confused with SATA 3.0 Gbit/s; in the second case we are talking about the SATA 2 interface, which has a throughput of up to 3.0 Gbit/s (SATA 3 has a throughput of up to 6 Gbit/s)

Interface- a device that transmits and converts signals from one piece of equipment to another.

Types of interface. PATA, SATA, SATA 2, SATA 3, etc.

Drives different generations used the following interfaces: IDE (ATA), USB, Serial ATA (SATA), SATA 2, SATA 3, SCSI, SAS, CF, EIDE, FireWire, SDIO and Fiber Channel.

IDE (ATA - Advanced Technology Attachment)- parallel interface for connecting drives, which is why it was changed (with the output SATA) on PATA(Parallel ATA). Previously used to connect hard drives, but was supplanted by the SATA interface. Currently used to connect optical drives.

SATA (Serial ATA)— serial interface for data exchange with drives. An 8-pin connector is used for connection. As is the case with PATA– is obsolete and is used only for working with optical drives. The SATA standard (SATA150) provided a throughput of 150 MB/s (1.2 Gbit/s).

SATA 2 (SATA300). The SATA 2 standard doubled the throughput, up to 300 MB/s (2.4 Gbit/s), and allows operation at 3 GHz. Standard SATA and SATA 2 are compatible with each other, however, for some models it is necessary to manually set the modes by rearranging the jumpers.

Although it is correct to say about the requirement of specifications SATA 6Gb/s. This standard doubled the data transfer speed to 6 Gbit/s (600 MB/s). Also among the positive innovations is the function program control NCQ and commands for continuous data transfer for a high priority process.

Although the interface was introduced in 2009, it is not yet particularly popular among manufacturers and is not often found in stores. Except hard drives this standard is used in SSDs (solid state drives).

It is worth noting that in practice the bandwidth of SATA interfaces does not differ in data transfer speed. In practice, the speed of writing and reading disks does not exceed 100 MB/s. Increasing the indicators only affects the throughput between the controller and the drive.

SCSI(Small Computer System Interface)— the standard is used in servers where increased data transfer speed is required.
SAS (Serial Attached SCSI)- the generation that replaced the SCSI standard, using serial data transmission. Like SCSI, it is used in workstations. Fully compatible with the SATA interface.
CF (Compact Flash)— Interface for connecting memory cards, as well as for 1.0 inch hard drives. There are 2 standards: Compact Flash Type I and Compact Flash Type II, the difference is in thickness.

FireWire– an alternative interface to the slower USB 2.0. Used to connect portable . Supports speeds up to 400 Mb/s, but the physical speed is lower than regular ones. When reading and writing, the maximum threshold is 40 MB/s.

27. 05.2017

Blog of Dmitry Vassiyarov.

SATA interface - features and specifications of this port

Good day, dear friends.

Do you often come across the phrase “SATA interface”, your friends talk about it, but you have no idea what it is? Then you should read this article, from which you will not only get an answer to this question, but also learn to understand the generations of connectors of this family.

Debriefing

Let's start with what the interface is. It is a means of interaction between two devices; in this case between the motherboard and the hard drive. It consists of a controller, signal lines and a special protocol - the rules by which this particular type of interface works. To make it clearer, physically it is a connector on the motherboard where the HDD is inserted.

SATA to English language stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, which means “sequential application latest technologies" The first word in this case plays a key role, since it is it that determines the type of this interface - it is sequential.

This means that data is transferred bit by bit - one at a time - over a certain period of time. I focus on this for a reason, because the predecessor of SATA is PATA () - a parallel interface that transmitted information several bits at once. It is currently considered obsolete and is therefore not used.

Development of the sat started in 2000 by leading companies in the computer market of that time and today, including Dell, Seagate, Maxtor, APT Technologies, Quantum, etc. They began to integrate the connector into boards everywhere in 2003.

Advantages

SATA is considered better because it transmits information faster and has thinner wires. Another plus is the reduced operating voltage due to the reduced number of contacts and microcircuits, so the controllers generate less heat, therefore do not overheat and last longer.

Judge for yourself, SATA has 7 pins, while PATA had 40. Also, the improved shape of the cable makes it resistant to multiple connections.

In addition, the outdated interface involved connecting 2 devices to one cable, while the modern one has separate wires for each gadget. Thus, all devices can operate simultaneously, delays in data transmission are eliminated and possible problems when assembling components.

Types of SATA

To work with any SATA interface, 2 cables are used: 7 pins for information exchange and 15 pins for connecting power. Instead of the latter, a 4-pin Molex connector can be used. The power cable supplies voltages of 5 and 12 V. The width of the wire is 2.4 cm.

The differences between the types are the data transfer speed and bus frequency. Let's look at the existing generations:

• SATA. The model that came out first. Now it is practically not used. Its bus operated at a frequency of 1.5 GHz, which is why the throughput did not exceed 150 Mb/s.
• SATA 2. The interface first appeared in 2004 on the nForce 4 chipset of the NVIDIA brand. Externally: the same as the previous option. The frequency has been increased to 3 GHz, thereby increasing the speed of information exchange to 300 Mb/s.
• SATA 3. Release took place in 2008. Traditionally, performance has doubled (600 MB/s). Compatibility between devices designed for previous generations has been maintained.

After the release of this interface, 2 more modifications were released:

- 3.1 (2011). Among the innovations: Zero-power optical drive (does not consume energy in sleep mode), mSATA (connector for portable and solid-state hard drives, netbooks and mobile gadgets), Queued TRIM Command (increases the productivity of SSD drives), Hardware Control Features (performs host identification of device capabilities). Data is transferred at the same speed as in the 3rd generation.

- 3.2 - SATA Express (2013). There has been a merger of this family and PCIe, that is, the interface software Compatible with SATA, but the carrier connector is considered PCIe.

Physically this model designed as two adjacent SATA ports, so you can simultaneously connect devices designed for interfaces of previous generations and directly for Express. The data transfer speed has increased significantly: up to 8 Gb/s if 1 connector is used, and up to 16 Gb/s if both are used.

eSATA

This type of interface should be separated into a separate group. Because it is designed to connect devices from the outside. This is indicated by the first letter in the name, which carries the concept “External” (external). The connector appeared in 2004.

Compared to the first generation SATA:

• More reliable performance;
• The wire was extended from 1 m to 2 m;
• Various signal levels are used.

The downside of this version is the need for a special cable to connect gadgets. The disadvantage was eliminated in the next modification - eSATAp - by introducing USB 2.0 technology, with information transmitted via wires with voltages of 5 and 12 V.

Determine the interface version.

How do you find out which SATA connector your motherboard and the devices connected to it have? There are several ways to do this:

• Read specifications your model in the instructions or on the official website.
• View the inscriptions directly on the motherboard.

• Use the CrystalDiskInfo utility. After installation, a window will open where you will be presented full information about your hardware.

Here is the website of this program: http://crystalmark.info/software/CrystalDiskInfo/index-e.html

If you are planning to buy a new screw, but the model you like does not match the connector on the motherboard, do not rush to abandon your choice, as special adapters for the SATA interface are sold.

I look forward to seeing you on the pages of my blog again.

SATA(Serial ATA) - a serial interface for data exchange with storage devices, usually hard drives.
SATA is a development of the ATA (IDE) interface, which after the advent of SATA was renamed PATA (Parallel ATA).

The SATA standard originally specified a bus speed of 1.5 GHz, providing approximately 1.2 Gbps (150 MB/s) of bandwidth.
The 20% performance loss is due to the use of the 8B/10B encoding system, in which for every 8 bits useful information there are 2 service bits.

The bandwidth of SATA I (SATA/150) is slightly higher than that of the Ultra ATA bus (UDMA/133).
The main advantage of SATA over PATA is the use of a serial bus instead of a parallel one.

The SATA II standard (SATA/300) operates at 3 GHz and provides throughput up to 2.4 Gbps (300 MB/s).

SATA connectors on the motherboard

Theoretically, SATA I and SATA II devices should be compatible (both SATA/300 controller and SATA/150 device, and SATA/150 controller and SATA/300 device) due to support for speed matching (downward), however, for some devices and controllers require manual setting of the operating mode (for example, on Seagate HDDs that support SATA/300, a special jumper is provided to force the SATA/150 mode on).

At the moment, the SATA-2.5 standard, which complements the previous ones and combines previous standards into one document, is no longer divided into SATA I and SATA II.
It provides the ability to increase operating speed up to 600 Mbit/s (6 GHz).

To be extremely precise, this is a planned step-by-step promotion of three generations of the Serial ATA interface to the market - the second should provide speeds of up to 300 Mb/s, and the third, accordingly, up to 600 Mb/s.

SATA data connector

SATA uses a 7-pin connector instead of PATA's 40-pin connector.
The SATA standard provides for hot-plug devices and a command queuing (NCQ) function.
LVDS technology is used for signal transmission.

The SATA cable has a smaller area, which reduces the resistance to air blowing across the computer components and improves system cooling.
Due to its shape, it is more resistant to multiple connections.

SATA power connector

The 15-pin SATA power cord is also designed to accommodate multiple connections.
The SATA power connector supplies 3 supply voltages: +12 V, +5 V and +3.3 V, however modern devices can operate without +3.3 V voltage, which makes it possible to use a passive adapter from a standard IDE to SATA power connector.

A number of SATA devices come with two power connectors: SATA and 4-pin Molex.
Using both types of power connectors at the same time may damage the device.

Pinout

G- grounding (Ground)
R- reserved
D1+, D1-- data transmission channel from the controller to the device
D2+, D2-- data transmission channel from the device to the controller
The wires of each pair (D1+, D1- and D2+, D2-) are shielded twisted pairs.

The SATA standard abandoned the traditional PATA connection of two devices per cable; each device is provided with a separate cable, which reduces delays when two devices operate simultaneously on one cable, and reduces possible problems during assembly (there is no problem of conflict between Slave/Master devices for SATA).

eSATA logo

eSATA(External SATA) - connection interface external devices.

eSATA Specifications:

Requires two cables for connection: a data bus and a power cable;
. Maximum length data cable - 2 m;
. The average practical data transfer rate is higher than USB or IEEE 1394;
. Significantly less load CPU;
. Purpose: external and internal connection of devices;
. It has built-in error control tools - ECC, so that data integrity is guaranteed;
. Supports hot-plug mode.

There is also a standard SAS(Serial Attached SCSI), which provides connection via the SATA bus to devices controlled by a set of SCSI commands.
Being backward compatible with SATA, it theoretically makes it possible to connect any devices controlled by the SCSI command set via this interface - not only a hard drive, but also scanners, printers, etc.

Compared to SATA, SAS provides a more advanced topology, allowing one device to be connected in parallel across two or more buses.
Bus expanders are also supported, allowing you to connect several SAS devices to one port.

Driver Game Ready GeForce 436.02 WHQL

Nvidia has released the Game Ready GeForce 436.02 WHQL driver to improve gaming performance.

SATA is an interface used for communication between the motherboard and the HDD. The technology is based on a rules protocol that determines how bits will be transferred in the controller that handles the transmission and signal lines on the cable. The interface is serial, which means that data is transferred bit by bit.

The development of the technology began back in 2000, by the best companies in the IT field. The connector began to be integrated into motherboards in 2003.

SATA – translated as consistent application of the latest technologies. Stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. The key word here is Serial, which means “serial”, which is how the interface differs from its predecessor PATA.

IDE (aka PATA) uses parallel data transfer, which is much inferior in speed to the newer interface. In addition, IDE uses a 40-pin cable, which makes it difficult for air to circulate inside the PC and increases the temperature.

Cables and connectors

For connecting hard drive using Serial ATA you will need two cables.

The first cable is used for data transmission and has 7 contacts. The second SATA cable is for power supply and connects directly to the power supply via a 4-pin MOLEX connector. The voltage that passes through the power cable is 3, 3.5 and 12 V, while the current is 4.5 A.

In order not to create sudden jumps in the transition from one interface to another, in terms of power supply, many HDDs have the old 4-pin connector.

Newer HDDs use only a 15-pin SATA connector.

SATA cable

Power cable

SATA and IDE interface

Types of SATA

Since its release (2003), the development of the technology has not stood still and faster and more stable versions have been released. At the moment, there are 6 main versions that are widely popular and in demand.

Sata

The first model is currently quite difficult to find on PCs. Operates on frequency 1.5 GHz and has a capacity of 150 Mb/s, which does not greatly exceed the throughput of Ultra ATA. The main advantage over the previous interface is the serial bus, which provides higher data transfer speeds.

Sata 2

SATA 2 came out the next year after the first version was released. The bus frequency has become 3 GHz, and the throughput 300 Mb/s. I used a chipset from NVIDIA called nForce 4. Visually it looks like the first version.

Sata 3

The first variation of version 3 appeared in 2008. Data transfer rate 600 Mb/s.

Version 3.1 improved performance with SSDs and reduced overall power consumption for a system that includes multiple devices.

Version 3.2 has distinctive feature is a merger of PCI Express and Serial ATA called SATA Express. The main one is PCI, but is still compatible with Serial ATA in software. Has a capacity of 1969 Mb/s.

Esata

This technology is used to connect external devices that use the " Hot Swap" The connectors have been changed and are now incompatible with standard Serial ATA, although they are identical in terms of signal. Also, the connectors have become more durable, which allows for a greater number of connections/disconnections of devices before failure. Two cables are used, one for data transmission, the other for power.

Esata connector

Difference between Esata and SATA

Power eSATA

Power eSATA (eSATAp) - specially designed to eliminate the need for two cables when connecting. This interface transmits data and power over a single cable, making it easier to use.

Msata

An interface that is used in netbooks and ultrabooks, replacing the more bulky connector of its predecessor. Bandwidth 6 Gbps.

SAS

An interface for connecting devices via a physical channel, analogous to Serial ATA, that are controlled using the SCSI command set. This makes it possible connect any devices, which use the SCSI command set for management, also contributes to this backward compatibility with Serial ATA. If we compare these two interfaces, the SAS topology is at a more advanced level, which allows one device to be connected in parallel via two or more channels. The first revisions of SAS and Serial ATA 2 were listed as synonyms, but over time the creators decided that using SCSI in a PC was inappropriate and separated them.

What's happened

This is a technology combining PCI Express and SATA. On the motherboard it looks like two adjacent SATA ports, which allows you to connect both devices using previous interfaces and a newer one. Bandwidth 8 Gb/s when connecting one connector and 16 Gb/s when connecting two connectors at once.

Connectors Sata Express

Sata Express cable

Differences and compatibility

All versions are backward compatible with each other. Those. If you have Serial ATA 3, the user can easily connect a device using version 2. And so with all versions.

The throughput of version 3 is twice as high as that of version 2 and is 6 Gbps. Compared to the previous one it was improved power management.

Pinout

Pinout power cable Serial ATA:

Pinout connection cable:

How to find out which SATA is on the motherboard

The user can find out which Serial ATA connector is installed on the motherboard in several ways. For owners of desktop PCs, the first method will be the most relevant.

You need to remove the side cover system unit to get to the motherboard. If you have a laptop you have to produce complete disassembly. It is not recommended for an inexperienced user to do this. After you get to the motherboard you should find connector with inscriptionSATA or you can simply track the cable that goes from the HDD to the motherboard. Near this connector on the motherboard it will be written SATA. 6 Gb/s is the third revision, and 3 Gb/s is the second.

If it is not possible to disassemble it, but you need to find out the Serial ATA connector, you can use programs. You need to download the HWiNFO program, install it and open it.

In the main window select Bus – Pci Bus and look on the right side of the window which Serial ATA ports are present on the motherboard.