This is a SATA II cable.
IDE and SATA II are types of connections that computers use to interface with disc drives and hard drives. While both perform the same task, SATA II is the newer version of the two and is considered an improvement on IDE's technology. Computers often support both IDE and SATA II connections. Newer devices use SATA II while IDE is phasing out.
Connection Type And Cable Size
These are two SATA II ports on a computer hard drive.
IDE and SATA II use different types of connections. IDE uses a longer, flat, 40-pin connector while SATA II uses a small seven-pin connector. The IDE cables are wider, about 18 inches at longest, and can have connections to two devices. The SATA II cables are thinner, can be up to 3 feet long, and connect to a single device. SATA's thinner cable size makes it easier to navigate within a computer's case and also contributes to improving airflow inside the computer. While IDE cables can connect to two devices at a time, the devices need to be at specific locations within the computer to match up with the connectors. Devices inside a computer may need to be moved around to fit on the same IDE cable.
Speed
This is what an IDE cable looks like.
IDE and SATA II operate at different speeds. IDE connections operate at several speeds, the fastest using a protocol called Ultra-ATA/133 and transferring data at 133 megabits per second. SATA II connections can transfer data twice as fast as IDE at speeds of 300 Mbps. Also, IDE devices on the same cable have to share the transfer speed, while SATA II drives operate individually.
Jumpers
This is an example of an IDE cable connecting the computer's motherboard to two devices.
IDE devices use an electronic interface called a jumper to designate whether a connected device is the slave or the master on a connection. Because IDE cables can connect to two devices, the computer needs to differentiate between the two drives by setting one drive as a slave and one as a master. The drives are set as slave and master through an electronic connection on each drive. The position of the jumper on each drive designates whether it is slave or master. Because SATA II drives operate on individual cables, the technology does not use jumpers to differentiate between drives.
Power Connection
This is a molex to SATA power adapter.
IDE and SATA II devices use different types of power connections. The IDE power conection is thicker and uses a four-pin Molex connection, while the SATA II power connection is thinner and uses 15 smaller pins to connect. The IDE and SATA II power connectors are approximately the same width.
Tags: slave master, SATA power, while SATA, between drives, cables connect