MSI USB3.0/SATA6GB/s Expansion Slot Why SATA?

[tprezzle]

Take a look at this.

http://uk.msi.com/product/mb/Star-USB3-SATA6.html

I was first drawn to it by the fact that, unlike many others, MSI has added a slick-looking cover to this PCI-e x4 expansion card. A USB PCI-e expansion is pretty common, I see them a lot but...

I see there are two internal SATA connectors on the interior of the card. What is the purpose of this? Does it speed up transfer to the HDD?

 

[o1die]

I noticed covers on my msi card for the hdmi, and the slot contacts below. Pretty slick and a good way to protect them and discourage handling in the wrong area. Just like ram, you're not supposed to touch the contact area.

 

[Chainzsaw]

I see there are two internal SATA connectors on the interior of the card. What is the purpose of this? Does it speed up transfer to the HDD?

Take a look here:

http://serverfault.com/questions/11633/whats-the-bandwidth-and-form-factor-for-pcie-x1-x4-x8-and-x16

The PCIE X4 slot provides approximately 800MB/s of bandwidth. The purpose of the internal SATA connectors are if you need extra SATA ports (say if you have a lot of SATA HDD's, and need more SATA port connections). It doesn't necessarily speed up transfers. However even 2 HDD's would never fill up that bandwidth (it would be close to around 300MB/s).

Basically only get this if you need USB3/ and or need extra SATA ports. It's actually quite a nice card.

 

[popatim]

It uses a marvel 9128 controller. You dont really want this to begin with. It has known issues. If you use marvel look for the 9182 controller.

 

[tprezzle]

Best answer selected by tprezzle.

 

[tprezzle]

Much obliged I thought they were in relation to the USB ports. It's a nice idea having extra SATA ports inside the case!