Sata Cables & more..

[racielrod]

I have been posting my questions on a rather extensive thread.
I have a couple more questions:

• Which cables are you guys using for your builds?
  • For SATA Power?
    • I'm considering CableMod for a Quad SATA power cable for my target Seasonic PSU. Is this a good alternative?
  • For SATA cables.
    • I have looked in the forums and I get 2 extremes: Monster cables and Monoprice. And everything seems to be based on specific experiences. I need to buy at least 8 SATA cables. Any solid brand I should consider?
• Boot Drives
  • While I have seen references to Intel SSDs in this forum it seems that people also think Kingstons are OK. Are these ok?
    • Am I over-thinking all this? I'm sorry I just want this build to be solid.

Thanks in advance!
R. Rod

 

[Danielx]

I bought some cheap 40gb Intel SSD drives on ebay but they literally are in rough shape. If I could redo my build I'd get fresh Intel 545s 128gb SSD drives.

For sata cables I used a bundled 4 Sata cables together and also they come a bit longer than 18 inches. I bought matching 8087 Sata cables too.

https://www.amazon.ca/CableCreation...s=cable+sata&qid=1552360969&s=gateway&sr=8-34

 

[Chris Moore]

Which cables are you guys using for your builds?

• For SATA Power?

I use these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silverston...e-SATA-15pin-Capacitor-Connector/222553312312
They are superior quality and the most important part, the capacitors to smooth out any power transients due to drive activity.

Boot Drives

• While I have seen references to Intel SSDs in this forum it seems that people also think Kingstons are OK.

I use these in several of my systems:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-320-Series-40GB-Internal-2-5-SSDSA2CT040G3-SSD/273725943413

I have also used these in a few systems and they are working reliably:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kingston-S...High-Speed-Solid-State-Drive-SSD/263725643193

 

[racielrod]

I use these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silverston...e-SATA-15pin-Capacitor-Connector/222553312312
They are superior quality and the most important part, the capacitors to smooth out any power transients due to drive activity.

The Seasonic Focus Plus Gold 550W comes with a quad and a dual SATA cables.
My plan to use the dual for the SSDs and the quad -with an extension cable like the one you are suggesting- for the HDDs.
That means I'm going to have 6 HDDs on a single SATA cable. Is this safe or just a recipe for disaster?
Should I buy another Seasonic compatible cable to go straight from the PSU and distribute the power load between the HDDs 3&3?

Thanks!
R. Rod

 

[Chris Moore]

It depends on the drive as to the actual power draw. The usual guidance is no more than five drives but that is based on the maximum draw which only happens for a short time at startup. I have run eight drives on a 350 watt power supply that only has one power lead. I ran it that way for days doing drive burn-in. It is unlikely that you will have a problem, but if you want to play it safe, having an additional line from the power supply is not a bad idea.

 

[racielrod]

but if you want to play it safe

"Play safe" is my middle name :)
I think I will be ordering an extra cable to go straight from the PSU.

Thanks Chris!

 

[Chris Moore]

"Play safe" is my middle name :)
I think I will be ordering an extra cable to go straight from the PSU.

Thanks Chris!

Can't fault you for that. If you want it to be reliable for years, safe is a good bet.

 

[racielrod]

For sata cables I used a bundled 4 Sata cables together and also they come a bit longer than 18 inches. I bought matching 8087 Sata cables too.

https://www.amazon.ca/CableCreation...s=cable+sata&qid=1552360969&s=gateway&sr=8-34

I like the fact these are bundled but I think I prefer the ones with a 90 degree angle - I think they will play nicer with the case I'm planning to use.

I'm aiming for these:
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...keywords=sata&qid=1552394816&s=gateway&sr=8-3
OR
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-18...eywords=sata&qid=1552394816&s=gateway&sr=8-10

... unless you guys think that is a mistake - off course.

 

[Chris Moore]

I like the fact these are bundled but I think I prefer the ones with a 90 degree angle - I think they will play nicer with the case I'm planning to use.

The 90° angle can be nice, and sometimes even mandatory, but I had a build where it put the connectors hitting each other and it just wouldn't work, so you might end up needing to send them back for the straight connectors.