Is it possible in simple geek speak to obtain an explanation as to the differences between IDE and SATA
IDE, aka, PATA, aka ATA IDE=Integrated Drive Electronics ATA=Advanced Technology Attachment PATA=Parallel ATA SATA=Serial ATA Parallel ATA allows for up to 2 devices per channel. However, it can only access one device at a time. PATA uses a 40-pin, 40- or 80-wire ribbon cable, and uses Master and Slave designations via jumpers on the drive(s). Any ribbon cable with 40-wires is limited to a 33MB/s peak transfer rate, while 80-wire cabling is required for ATA66, 100, and 133MB/s transfer speeds. Serial ATA is in the same family, but uses a 7-pin cable and does not share drives on each channel. Each drive is set as master as there's no need for the slave designation (and technically, no reason for master either). ATA150 and 300 are the two current speed grades. Keep in mind that the ATAxxx refers to the maximum throughput. Sustained transfers are in the 40-60MB/s range. The connections and the necessary accomodations for them are the main differences. Internally, they're the same.
Hi, The biggest difference between the two is the speed at which data can move to and from the drive. IDE drives have maxed out at about 133 mb/second where as SATA drives can support 150 mb/sec and with SATA 2 supposedly can go up as high as 600 mb/second. Also, the power connectors on a SATA drive are smaller. An IDE uses a 5 volt 4 pin connector while a SATA usually has a 15 pin 250mv connector, which reduces the load on the power supply. The cables for the SATA are smaller than the IDE cables, which allows for better airflow inside the computer case which promotes better cooling. I hope this helps!
B, thank you for your response, unfortunately it only shows the chasm between your knowledge and mine, please do not give up on me yet for slowly, slowly I shall hopefully get up to speed. Fortunately Wildcard gave a more basic explanation, which I am taking as it is better to go with SATA drives. Being a crinkly stuggling with all of this information I believe that I shall take the safe route and fit both, given that I have the capacity to accomodate 9 hard drives. If this is rank stupidity I'm sure that you will tell me. Wildcard, Thank you for your basic reply it was more than helpful. Kindest regards.
For everyday PCs like all of ours harddrives are ATA devices. There is PATA and SATA. Parallel ATA and Serial ATA. People call PATA drives IDE drives. Like Wildcard said..its basically down to speed. PATA maxxed out at 133mb/s, SATA can transfer at up to 150mb/s and SATA2 can reach 300mb/s (not 600mb/s ) If your PC can take SATA then its definitely the one to go for. Not only are SATA drives quicker but they are a lot easier to install. Do you know which motherboard you have? Or even the model number of the PC (ie Dell or HP model number). Being in the UK SATA2 drives probably cost a little bit more than standard SATA drives so it might be worth finding out if you can make use of a SATA2 drive before you actually buy one!
Zeus, I havn't finished building my PC yet, but I have purchased the motherboard. I have an Abit AB9 if this means anything to you. Would you advise I buy the SATA2 drives with that motherboard? Thanks again.
Yeah, the Abit AB9 is a good motherboard. It supports SATA2... Id try to get a SATA2 drive. The board also supports DDR2 ram so if you still need to buy your RAM make sure its DDR2 and not DDR. Given the processors the Abit AB9 supports you should have a pretty decent PC by the end!
