6ft SATA External Round Cable - eSATA to eSATA (Type I to Type I) - UV Blue

Features:

Designed to connect from eSATA port (I type) to eSATA port (I type)
Cable for external use
Safe Data Transfer
Support speed up to 3Gb/s
EMI protection
Flexible cable
ROHS compliant - no hazardous substances used

Background:

Serial ATA (SATA) replaces Parallel ATA (PATA, a.k.a. IDE) as the new standard for high speed, reliable data transfer between your computers motherboard and storage drives. SATA provides faster data transfers, less clutter due to a more compact cable, leading to better in-case air circulation and ability to hot swap connections.

First generation SATA is generally referred to simply as SATA, but is also known as SATA 150 or SATA 1, has a thoughput of 1.5 gbit/s. It is an internal interface that uses "L" type connectors. They are referred to as "L" connectors because if you look at the female connector head on, it has a sideways "L" shaped slot. The male connector has an "L" shaped tongue. Second generation SATA is known as SATA 3 Gbps but commonly referred to as SATA 2 and sometimes SATA 300. It supports a 3.0 Gbps transfer rate and also uses the "L" type connector. SATA 2 cables are backward compatible with first generation SATA devices.

However, maximum throughput will be limited to the least common denominator. To go with the newer SATA interface, SATA drives usually employ a new 15 pin power connector as oppose to the older 4 pin Molex power connectors used on older system. However, some drives will have both types of connections for ease of installation into legacy systems.

Here's where it can get confusing. For use with external devices, eSATA was developed with a completely different type of connector. eSATA uses "I" (letter i) type connectors because, as before, if you look at the connector straight on, there is an "I" shaped slot or tongue. Not to be confused with SATA 1 (#1) which some manufacturers will label SATA I (roman numeral i) which tends to confuse some users. So a cable that is labeled as having type "I" connectors are for eSATA and not SATA 1 cables. eSATA has a maximum bandwidth of 3.0 gbit/s, same as SATA 2. But along with the new connector type, it also calls for a shielded cable. Though it has a faster transfer speed than USB 2.0 and Firewire 400/800 it has a shorter maximum range of 2 meters.

Knowledge Base:

Question: What's the difference between SATA and PATA (IDE) cables?

Answer: SATA offers faster data transfer, it's hotswappable, and has a thinner design making it easier to install and allow for better airflow inside the computer's case.

SATA was designed to be the successor to PATA

Question: What's the difference between SATA 1 and SATA 2?

Answer: SATA 1 has a transfer rate of 1.5 Gbps. SATA 2 (a.k.a SATA II) supports 3.0 Gbps.

 

Question: What's the difference between Type "L" and Type "I"?

Answer: Type "L" and type "I" refer to the types of connectors. Type "L" is generally used for internal SATA and type "I" is used externally for eSATA. Looking at the connector head on you will see the sloted hole on one will resemble an "L" shape while the other looks like an "I."

Question: Are SATA and SATA II cables interchangeable?

Answer: Yes, they are. SATA 1 has a transfer rate of 1.5 Gbps and SATA 2 (a.k.a SATA II) supports 3.0 Gbps. They usually use the same connectors. If you mix and match SATA I and SATA II, you will only get SATA I speeds. The connection is only as good as it''s weakest link (SATA I).