Powering new SATA disc with molex->SATA power cable reduction?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

thomas81br

Distinguished
Oct 3, 2014
94
1
18,635
Hello i will be buying new 1 TB disc to add to my pc, WD blue 1 TB sata 3,5 inches.
But my PSU doesnt have any sata power cables left to power the disc, but it has 4-5 "old" molex power cables and i have at home a molex->sata power cable reduction, something like this:

http://www.k24.cz/product_picture/6/KAZASSATAKAT/Napajeci_kabel_pro_SATA_zarizeni_zahnuty_-4e1df53b.png
or this:
http://im9.cz/iR/importprodukt-orig/0bf/0bf5174e24ca67559a80c689ca61b7e1.jpg

Im asking if i can use this? If it wont "burn" the disc pumping into it more power than the disc needs, since at the beggining, its still a molex cable, im not sure if the sata reduction reduces also the the voltage or ampers or whatever to only the ammount that standard sata power cables provides.

So is it a safe solution to power my new disc?
 
Solution
DarkSable
Yeah, that'll work just fine. I've used a couple of them before, and as long as the wires aren't shot, you're covered. Molex offers 5V and 12V, sata runs on either the 5V or occasionally 12 or 3.3V lines. (really only older 'green' drives use the 3.3V line.) The molex adapter just converts its power to the SATA pinout.
Sort by date Sort by votes
DarkSable

DarkSable

Judicious
Sep 27, 2012
8,890
1
34,965
Yeah, that'll work just fine. I've used a couple of them before, and as long as the wires aren't shot, you're covered. Molex offers 5V and 12V, sata runs on either the 5V or occasionally 12 or 3.3V lines. (really only older 'green' drives use the 3.3V line.) The molex adapter just converts its power to the SATA pinout.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
K

kedwa30

Distinguished
Jul 28, 2011
61
0
18,660
Yes, you can use it. The voltage is the equivalent to water pressure, so since the 4 pin had 12 volt and 5 volt and the SATA power cable uses 12v, 5v, (and the 3.3v will not be used), then it will draw as much current as it needs and no more. You would have to provide it with too much voltage to 'pump' too much current into it.
There are no current regulators (resistors) or pumps (capacitors) in the power wires or connectors.

If you have a SATA drive that requires the 3.3v line, then just switch it to the standard connector and use the adapter on a drive that doesn't need it.
If all of your drives need the 3.3v then you could wire in some additional connectors if you are comfortable doing so, or maybe just get another power supply. It's possible to use multiple power supplies in a single system.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom