SATA Drives

[matrix0978]

This may seem like a noob question. But i never understood what SATA drive is or does. WHat does it do? What is it? Whats the benefit?

Thanks,

Matrix

[Maleko]

Basically, there a new standard of hard drive, with new power and data connections:

The top drive is a SATA, the bottom is PATA (previously know as IDE)

SATA is generally a faster data transfer connection, and onyl new boards will support them, all old boards wont have SATA connections. the cables are also a LOT smaller than the old IDE "ribbon" cables.

there, simple explanation

[nmX.Memnoch]

the cables are also a LOT smaller than the old IDE "ribbon" cables.

Not only are the cables a lot thinner, but they can also be a lot longer. PATA cables aren't supposed to be longer than 18". A SATA cable can be up to 3 meters (little over 3'), which makes it a viable external connection method as well.

Most SATA drives also contain some SCSI like features such as NCQ (Native Command Queueing) and/or TCQ (Tagged Command Queueing). These features can help if lots of files are being randomly accessed at once (normally in file server scenarios).