how many HDD/SSD can I install on the Sabertooth Z87 mobo?

andrewkim9711

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Jan 10, 2014
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I'm getting the Fractal Design Define R4 which has 8-10 trays for SSD/HDDs.
I know that there are limits to how many HDD or SSD I can install depending on the mother board.

how many ports are there for the Asus Sabertooth Z87 mother board?

if there were 8 ports, do i just install 8 hdd or ssd into the motherboard?
 
Solution
SATA is the data interface for connecting modern HDD's, SSD's, and DVD/Blu-RAY drives.

SATA POWER connectivity is also required (though there are adapters for the older 4-pin MOLEX style).

Some motherboards specify that certain SATA connections are NOT to be used for DVD/BD (may say "only for HDD"). See the motherboard manual. If so, probably the bottom two.

Use the best SATA connection for an SSD (i.e. an Intel 6gbps). See the motherboard manual.

SATA should be set to AHCI (not IDE) in the motherboard BIOS.

TYPICAL GOOD CONFIG:

1. 120GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD: for Windows and applications

2. 2TB HDD for backups, media, Steam and other games

3. DVD burner

(2nd drive for a backup IMAGE of the Windows drive via Acronis True Image or...

andrewkim9711

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Jan 10, 2014
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ohh
so is the HDD/SDD port same one as the port for optical drives like dvd-rom?
 


As long as the peripheral uses a SATA connector you can connect them to one of those 8 ports.
 
SATA is the data interface for connecting modern HDD's, SSD's, and DVD/Blu-RAY drives.

SATA POWER connectivity is also required (though there are adapters for the older 4-pin MOLEX style).

Some motherboards specify that certain SATA connections are NOT to be used for DVD/BD (may say "only for HDD"). See the motherboard manual. If so, probably the bottom two.

Use the best SATA connection for an SSD (i.e. an Intel 6gbps). See the motherboard manual.

SATA should be set to AHCI (not IDE) in the motherboard BIOS.

TYPICAL GOOD CONFIG:

1. 120GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD: for Windows and applications

2. 2TB HDD for backups, media, Steam and other games

3. DVD burner

(2nd drive for a backup IMAGE of the Windows drive via Acronis True Image or similar to Restore in the even of failed Windows drive or corrupted software. Ideally, install the non-free version of Acronis TI and setup an automated backup solution that deletes older versions.)
 
Solution

andrewkim9711

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Jan 10, 2014
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I'm going to be getting the Samsung 840 Pro 256GB for the main drive.
so when i first install the OS through BIOS, i'm supposed to set up the installation as AHCI? i don't know what AHCI is so can you please explain for me?
all i know is that i just have to insert the full version of windows 8 into my dvd drive and set my SSD for the 1st boot drive and dvd for my 2nd and disconnect all other drives (HDD in my case) and then install it. i don't know what ahci is