Tom's Hardware > Forum > Storage > Hard Disks > First time builder, need help connecting HDD's

First time builder, need help connecting HDD's

Forum Storage : Hard Disks - First time builder, need help connecting HDD's

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Word :    Username :           
 

I just recently purchased a 2 western digital 250gb HDD (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701). I'm setting them up and I have a few questions. I mounted them and the mobo (asus p5b) came with a serial ATA cord that I plugged in to both of them and then noticed there is also a legacy power connector on both HDD's also. So what should I use the SATA power or legacy?

Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.

Those western digitals can use either a 4 pin molex connector or a SATA power connector. You can use either one but not both.

Reply to illinikevin

Yep exactly, i am using the sata powers on the same 2 hds and have had no problems but it is up to you, the reason they have both is due to some old PSUs nto having the SATA power, if you have it use it!!

NEVER USE BOTH!

Reply to Omid

You will get some benefit from using the SATA power connector -- I think it will have better power management/power saving -- although you probably wouldn't notice that other than a penny or two every few months on your electric bill.

As a side note: I believe a true SATA power connector has more wires going to it (includes an orange wire from your power supply most likely) than a PATA connector. So even with a PATA to SATA adapter, there's no way to get that orange wire if it doesn't exist on your PSU -- so I think some feature must still be missing.

My logic: even when I don't know if it has any true benefit, use the "most advanced/newest" thing that my system will support -- so if you've got SATA cables from your power supply, use em. No problem, though, if you can't.

Reply to EQC

Do that and youll be fine ;)

Reply to Omid
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Storage > Hard Disks > First time builder, need help connecting HDD's
Go to:

There are 1188 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them