First build - Stuck w/ ODD/SSD/HDD & SATA Cables

dekal35 · Apr 21, 2016

Hi Guys --

I am working on my first build and at this point, am a bit stuck.

My specs are:

Gigabyte Z170X Gaming 7 Mobo with a EVGA Supernova PS. The PS came with the SATA Power Cables while the Mobo provided the Data cables. However, I can't figure out where in the world the need to be plugged in. Specifically, the SATA power goes into my PS and then an end into the ODD, HDD or SSD. The data cable also is being plugged into the three devices however I can't seem to find where on the motherboard (or elsewhere), the remaining end goes?

Thank you!

madmatt30 · Apr 21, 2016

Front bottom edge of the board in front of the big g1 gaming SB heatsink.
They're sideways on which is probably why you're not noticing them.

dekal35 · Apr 21, 2016

Hi Madmatt,

Thanks! You are completely right. I've been looking top down and didn't see them on the side.

One quick question..

Under the "SATA Express" area that you are referring to, there are two small connectors and 4 slightly larger ones. My SATA Data cables all appear to fit the smaller connectors. What could the other four be for? Lastly, since I have an ODD, SSD and HDD, where could I find a third place to plug in my cable?

Hopefully that makes sense..

madmatt30 · Apr 21, 2016

Your sata cables should be fitting the larger standard sata sockets mate !?

& there should be 8 of those , 4 on each sata express block.

That's what I'm seeing in your manual anyway.

dekal35 · Apr 21, 2016

I'm afraid I'm going to confuse us both now! Ha!

The SATA Data cables I have that came with my motherboard are small. It appears you are referring to these types instead?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/41192472?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228028904876&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=61853161929&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=98383177449&veh=sem

(Not buying from Walmart, was just first link lol).

As such, I don't have enough small SATA data cable ports..

Thanks for your time man and hopefully that made some sense.

madmatt30 · Apr 21, 2016

No mate this is a standard sata cable (you should have got 4 with your board)
You should have 8 ports that fit these according to the board specs & manual

dekal35 · Apr 21, 2016

Ahhhh! Now I'm worried. I did get four with my board, but they look like this....

http://www.moddiy.com/products/Gigabyte-High-Quality-Original-Light-Blue-SATA-Cable-(46cm).html

I was going to plug that into my devices along with the power SATA cable that came with my power supply. The data cable above I was going to plug into the SATA hubs on the motherboard that I apparently can't find or am confusing...

madmatt30 · Apr 21, 2016

They're the same cable mate , just the gigabyte ones are better made & have a locking clip ,the right angle one you'd normally use at the drive end as it allows the cable to sit flat to the back of the drive.
Your manual shows 8 sata ports available.

dekal35 · Apr 21, 2016

madmatt30 :

They're the same cable mate , just the gigabyte ones are better made & have a locking clip ,the right angle one you'd normally use at the drive end as it allows the cable to sit flat to the back of the drive.
Your manual shows 8 sata ports available.

http://orig10.deviantart.net/ed52/f/2010/282/2/c/hong_kong_phooey_by_houndknight-d30e7jm.jpg[/

I'll be the first to admit that I am a newbie here but the cables to me look completely different. The Walmart one has a large connector while the gigabyte SATA is small, about half the size?

[/quotemsg]

dekal35 · Apr 21, 2016

madmatt30 :

They're the same cable mate , just the gigabyte ones are better made & have a locking clip ,the right angle one you'd normally use at the drive end as it allows the cable to sit flat to the back of the drive.
Your manual shows 8 sata ports available.

http://orig10.deviantart.net/ed52/f/2010/282/2/c/hong_kong_phooey_by_houndknight-d30e7jm.jpg[/

I'll be the first to admit that I am a newbie here but the cables to me look completely different. The Walmart one has a large connector while the gigabyte SATA is small, about half the size?

[/quotemsg]

madmatt30 · Apr 21, 2016

I've edited the image - that's what you should be looking at on your sata connectors on the board.

2 blocks of 4 - those 4 cables fit those ports - you shouldn't he having any issue

Forget the Walmart cables , they're for slim optical & 2.5inch laptop drives - they're bigger because they also have a power cable built in.

dekal35 · Apr 21, 2016

Great! Makes perfect sense, thank you. Image didn't load at first.

madmatt30 · Apr 21, 2016

Once you build - before you install windows

1. Set sata port in bios to ahci mode for the ssd (ports 6&7 are ahci only so if you use one of these you won't gave to touch bios settings)

2. Disconnect the standard HDD from the system - just unplug the sata or power cable at the drive BEFORE you install windows - you can end up with split boot partitions over both drives otherwise.

Once windows is installed on the ssd & working , you can power off , plug the drive back in & format in windows.

dekal35 · Apr 21, 2016

madmatt30 :

Once you build - before you install windows

1. Set sata port in bios to ahci mode for the ssd (ports 6&7 are ahci only so if you use one of these you won't gave to touch bios settings)

2. Disconnect the standard HDD from the system - just unplug the sata or power cable at the drive BEFORE you install windows - you can end up with split boot partitions over both drives otherwise.

Once windows is installed on the ssd & working , you can power off , plug the drive back in & format in windows.[/

Great advice. Thanks again. Launch codes will be entered tonight. Cautiously optimistic that I won't end up with a heavy paperweight

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