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Molex to sata PSU

Tags:
  • Power Supplies
  • SATA
  • Computers
  • Cable
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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September 27, 2012 12:27:52 PM

Hello,
I'm upgrading my computer changing mobo, cpu and ram mainly plus using only sata drives (SSD) trashing my old IDE HDDs but my PSU that I would like to keep has 7 molex connectors and only 2 sata.

Is it ok to just buy molex-to-sata converters? is there a disadvantage in using this method instead of native sata power cables?
Plus I saw some adapters that split into two sata connectors from one molex cable. How's that?

More about : molex sata psu

a c 144 ) Power supply
September 27, 2012 1:03:32 PM

Although there are disadvantages to using a converter, the need here outweighs those concerns so a converter would be the best option aside from buying a new PSU. A split converter for multiple SATA connectors should work fine.
September 27, 2012 1:14:25 PM

What are the disadvantages? plus how can a molex connector power two drives?
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a c 144 ) Power supply
September 27, 2012 2:01:37 PM

Disadvantages include increased heat (a little, at the connector) and some minor electrical loss. Not enough to be of a concern on an optical drive or HDD/SSD. When splitting electrical output, the concern becomes amperage draw - no SATA devices draw enough amperage to be of a concern so the splitter works, no problem.
September 27, 2012 2:06:30 PM

Thanks! Very helpful.
a b ) Power supply
September 27, 2012 5:39:35 PM

As C12Friedman indicates, a typical 4-pin Molex output connector from a PSU can supply several amps - at least 10, I suspect - whereas most HDD's (and certainly current SATA units) use less than 1 amp max. So, you can actually "stack" 2-for-1 adapters and power several SATA HDD's from only one 4-Pin Molex output connector.
!