UEFI vs. GBT, 6gb/s vs. 3gb/s -- can this mobo handle this hdd?

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MystiKasT

MystiKasT

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Feb 4, 2014
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Hello all,

I currently have this motherboard:

GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P


Model
Brand
GIGABYTE
Model
GA-MA790XT-UD4P

Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type
AM3
CPU Type
Phenom II X4 / Phenom II X3
FSB
2600MHz Hyper Transport (5200 MT/s)

Chipsets
Chipset
AMD 790X
South Bridge
AMD SB750

Memory
Number of Memory Slots
4×240pin
Memory Standard
DDR3 1666(O.C.)/1333/1066 MHz
Maximum Memory Supported
16GB
Channel Supported
Dual Channel

Expansion Slots
PCI Express 2.0 x16
1 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x16 (PCIEX16_1)
1 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x8 (PCIEX8_1)
PCI Express x1
3
PCI Slots
2

Storage Devices
PATA
1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max
SATA 3Gb/s
8
SATA RAID
0/1/5/10/JBOD

Onboard Video
Onboard Video Chipset
None

Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset
Realtek ALC889A
Audio Channels
8 Channels

Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset
Realtek 8111DL
Max LAN Speed
10/100/1000Mbps

Rear Panel Ports
PS/2
2
USB 1.1/2.0
8 x USB 2.0
IEEE 1394
2 x IEEE 1394a
S/PDIF Out
1 x Optical, 1 x Coaxial
Audio Ports
6 Ports

Internal I/O Connectors
Onboard USB
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
Onboard 1394
1 x 1394a

Physical Spec
Form Factor
ATX
Dimensions (W x L)
12.0" x 9.6"
Power Pin
24 Pin

Features
Features
Support for @BIOS
Support for Q-Flash
Support for Virtual Dual BIOS
Support for Download Center
Support for Xpress Install
Support for Xpress Recovery2
Support for EasyTune (Note 4)
Support for Easy Energy Saver
Support for Time Repair
Support for Q-Share

I have a 1TB HDD but need more storage space. I am thinking of upgrading to a 3TB 6gb/s 64cache HD, this one:

Learn more about the Seagate STBD3000100


Model
Brand
Seagate
Series
Barracuda
Model
STBD3000100
Packaging
Retail Kit

Performance
Interface
SATA 6.0Gb/s
Capacity
3TB
RPM
7200 RPM
Cache
64MB

Physical Spec
Form Factor
3.5"

Features
Features
Quiet, ultra-high performance

DiscWizard software makes installation a snap

Built-in self-monitoring technology helps ensure maximum reliability

In the box:
Barracuda desktop hard drive
Free DiscWizard software
Interface cable, power adapter, mounting screws, and CD with software and manual
Quick installation guide

My questions are these:

Can my current motherboard support the 6gb/s speed? On the specs page for the mobo, it says 3gb/s, I am assuming that may mean it cannot.

Also, I cannot find out if this motherboard will support GPT. If not, I believe I'll only have 2.2TB of space available instead of 3TB.

I am debating just getting a 3gb/s 2TB drive to avoid these problems if no one knows the answer or if the mobo is incapable of supporting 6gb/s + GPT (full 3TB).

Can someone with more knowledge please advise?

Thank you!!
 
Solution
Dereck47



If you are using a HDD greater than 2.2TB as a secondary drive then it does not matter what motherboard model you are using.
Just initialize the drive as GPT and you are good-to-go; you will be able to access the full capacity of the drive.

If you are using a HDD larger than 2.2TB as your boot (O/S) drive then your motherboard has to have UEFI instead of a regular BIOS if you want to access the full capacity of the drive.

The Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P does not have UEFI, so if you buy the Seagate STBD3000100 and use it as your O/S drive then you will only have access to 2.2TB of...
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Mattios

Mattios

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Jun 24, 2013
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No HDDs saturate SATA I speeds, meaning that SATA II or SATA III makes no difference to it. They advertise it as SATA III (6 gb/s speeds) but it cannot saturate that. SATA connections are backwards compatible so your 'SATA III' HDD will happily connect to a SATA I, II or III port.

Your motherboard has no SATA III (6 Gb/s) ports.

In terms of support, I would suggest speaking to Gigabyte because I can't find anything on the 3TB+ factor for this motherboard.
 
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Phillip Corcoran

Phillip Corcoran

Titan
Moderator
Sep 7, 2013
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863
120,140
"Can my current motherboard support the 6gb/s speed?"

No, but you can still connect a 6 Gb/sec drive to it. The drive will work at the speed supported by the motherboard.
In view of that, it makes sense to buy a 6 Gb/sec drive because your nest motherboard will probably have 6 Gb/sec SATA ports.

"I cannot find out if this motherboard will support GPT"

GPT support is not dependent on motherboard model, but you are correct in thinking that the GPT partition-style is required for drives whose capacity exceeds 2.2 TB.
 
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MystiKasT

MystiKasT

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Feb 4, 2014
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"GPT support is not dependent on motherboard model, but you are correct in thinking that the GPT partition-style is required for drives whose capacity exceeds 2.2 TB."

Is GPT support dependent upon BIOS then? But isn't the BIOS dependent on the mobo?

How will I know if I can get the HDD to be 3tb instead of 2.2?

Thanks for help guys.
 
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The Original Ralph

The Original Ralph

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Sep 14, 2011
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i can't speak to gigabyte mobo but asus has a "bit unlocker" for windows that allows the system to recognize drives larger than 2 TB - suspect gigabyte will have something similiar, and iirc, asus indicated it was windows limiting the capacity recognition, not the mobo or it's drivers
 
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Dereck47

Dereck47

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Jan 20, 2011
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If you are using a HDD greater than 2.2TB as a secondary drive then it does not matter what motherboard model you are using.
Just initialize the drive as GPT and you are good-to-go; you will be able to access the full capacity of the drive.

If you are using a HDD larger than 2.2TB as your boot (O/S) drive then your motherboard has to have UEFI instead of a regular BIOS if you want to access the full capacity of the drive.

The Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P does not have UEFI, so if you buy the Seagate STBD3000100 and use it as your O/S drive then you will only have access to 2.2TB of capacity.

Here's some additional info for you: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2581408


 
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Solution
MystiKasT

MystiKasT

Honorable
Feb 4, 2014
19
0
10,510


Thanks man, you are the best!
 
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