How to Connect SATA HDD to PSU and Motherboard Using Cables

x x on 30/05/2024 - 12:46

Hi I want to connect this new 16TB SATA HDD I bought recently to a desktop PC.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/256523076781

I have some spare SATA data cables with the L shape plug but I'm trying to figure out what SATA power cable I need to connect the HDD to motherboard. I have this PSU . I had a look and see another HDD in my PC is using this green circled plug:
https://imgur.com/YXNEKaA
So does that mean I need a 6 pin to 15 pin SATA data cable like this to get power to my SATA HDD?
https://www.amazon.com.au/Ruilogod-15-Pin-Female-Connector-A…

Or is it better to use a power splitter cable and run it off another HDD that's in use? I assume it's always better for the HDD to have it's own power supply with it's own cable? Thanks for any tips on how to connect this HDD to my PC.

Computing Computer Component Hard Drive Power Supply Unit

Comments

  • EightImmortals on 30/05/2024 - 12:57
    +4

    Your PSU should have come with all the cables necessary to power sata devices (unless you have already used them all on other devices?), just have a look inside your PC case or possibly the box your PSU came in.

    • x x on 30/05/2024 - 13:11

      Yes unfortunately all the cables have been used that came with the motherboard so I need to get another one. I've got 2x 8TB HDDs + 1x SATA SSD which the cables were used for so I have 1x spare data SATA port remaining on the motherboard which I can use. I'm using this mobo:
      https://www.umart.com.au/product/gigabyte-b550i-aorus-pro-ax…

      • elusive on 30/05/2024 - 13:17
        +1

        Your PSU spec sheet says "6 x SATA connector ("300mm / 220mm / 100mm" x 2)"

        What happened to the other 3 connectors? They should be on a second cable.

        • x x on 03/06/2024 - 14:17

          I think you're talking about this cable which I pulled out to get a photo. Looks like I need a new cable with extra power supply, this only has 3 and I need 4:
          https://imgur.com/YqWMN4y

          I've now ordered this cable to replace it:
          https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/133638421399

          • elusive on 03/06/2024 - 15:39

            @x x: You should have two of those cables. Check the box your PSU came in for the second one.

            Those splitters are … eh. Some are pretty dodgy construction and a bit of a fire hazard. At the very least I'd only put the SSDs on it and keep the HDDs on the original cable.

            • x x on 03/06/2024 - 16:27

              @elusive: I paid a guy to put my PC together, he probably kept the other cable. I've also read it's not ideal to have all these splitters. Ideally I would like to buy another one of these cables and plug it into this green circle, just like my other one next to it:
              https://imgur.com/JoGoa2x

  • garetz on 30/05/2024 - 13:02
    +3

    Do not get that ruilogod cable, only use cables provided by the psu.

    It depends on your psu, it should have enough cables for at least 6 disks. Then your motherboard needs enough sata connectors, then your case needs to be able to have the space for the disks.

    Otherwise get an external hard disk enclosure, which just requires usb and external power.

    • x x on 30/05/2024 - 13:37

      Can you please link me a SATA power cable which I can use to connect this HDD to my PSU. I can use the power port below the green circled one but looks like it must be 6 pins unlike the old style Molex plugs which have 4 pins.
      https://www.umart.com.au/product/gigabyte-b550i-aorus-pro-ax…

      • garetz on 30/05/2024 - 14:23

        You have 4 sata ports on that motherboard

        based on your psu you need the

        6 x SATA connector ("300mm / 220mm / 100mm" x 2)

  • skid on 30/05/2024 - 13:06
    +1

    As above, the PSU should have all the necessary cables. The cable that is used for the HDD may have another SATA power port on it already split off. You can use that.

    Do not buy the 6 pin to 15 pin off Amazon as that is not safe and the pinouts might be different.

    If you have no other choice, go with the splitter cable.

  • tekisei on 30/05/2024 - 13:12
    +3
    1. SATA power cables usually have between 2 and 4 connectors per cable, see if that cable on your existing HDD has another connector.
    2. Look in your PSU box for another SATA power cable.
    3. Generally don't use off-brand cables to connect directly to your PSU.
    • elusive on 30/05/2024 - 13:19
      +1

      Generally don't use off-brand cables to connect directly to your PSU.

      To add to that, different PSUs can use different pinouts even for the same keyed connector. There is absolutely no standard here. Even within a single manufacturer sometimes!

      Different pinout means the wrong voltage on the wrong pin. Which releases the magic smoke.

      Technically third-party cables are sometimes available, but you do need to make absolutely certain that any cable is specifically rated to work with your PSU model. First-party tends to be the safest way to do it and are less likely to land you in a warranty mess if something does go wrong.

      • tekisei on 30/05/2024 - 13:29

        Yep I only use Corsair Type 4 PSUs (maybe 5 of them now) and even so I don't mix cables between the PSUs and boxes lol

      • x x on 30/05/2024 - 13:41

        Sounds like it's easy to cause damage if you use the wrong cable!
        Are you able to link me a power cable which I can use to connect to my PSU. I can use the power port below the green circled one but looks like it must be 6 pins unlike the old style Molex plugs which have 4 pins.
        https://imgur.com/YXNEKaA

        • The-Real Team Doge on 30/05/2024 - 14:30
          +1

          Your cables should have enough, I can fit 6 SATA drives from my included modular PSU's cables!

          According to their product page, you can get this pack of cables (PP05-L) which come with an assortment of cables, including the SATA one you need.
          https://www.silverstonetek.com/en/product/info/power-supplie…

          They even have individual product numbers for SATA cable on its own too: PP06B-3SATA80M

          However they seem to be hard to get outside of the US…

          Or you'll have to get them custom done by a company like Cablemod for your PSU (which they happen to make cables for too): https://store.cablemod.com/configurator/?service=direct&psu_…

        • tekisei on 30/05/2024 - 14:45

          If you are desperate, it is said that crimped Molex to SATA adapters do not catch fire unlike molded Molex to SATA.

          You can use it with your PSU Molex cable, at your own risk (basically do your own research).

    • x x on 02/06/2024 - 20:45

      Thanks, good advice. I don't have any spare cables in the box but still think I need something with a 6 pin plug at the end that will plug into my PSU. Here's the back of my PSU showing my SATA power cable plugged into the PSU in bottom right corner:
      https://imgur.com/earpdUw

      Here is my SATA power cable I pulled out of the case. You can see there's a 6 pin plug at one end and it has 3x SATA connectors attached. The 3x SATA connectors are connected to 1x SATA SSD and 2x SATA HDDs:
      https://imgur.com/YqWMN4y

      Here's another pic you can see the 6 pin plug:
      https://imgur.com/nytUIbn

      So do you think I need this same cable but with 4x SATA connectors so I can connect a 4th HDD? Or maybe I can buy a single one SATA power cable and plug it into the spare SATA port in PSU circled green?
      https://imgur.com/JoGoa2x

      Sorry for all the links but this plug on this cable looks like it might work. But this sounds like a SATA to PCI?
      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/185831683185

      • skid on 02/06/2024 - 21:03

        Nah, you'll risk blowing up your new hard disk with that one.

        Buy this to be safe: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201806472401

        • x x on 02/06/2024 - 21:21

          Thanks but where does this cable plug into the PSU, or does it plug into the mobo to get it's power? I've got this PSU:
          https://www.umart.com.au/product/silverstone-650w-80-gold-sf…

          I thought the SATA power cable should be like my existing one and plug into the green circle with 6 pin plug:
          https://imgur.com/JoGoa2x

          • tekisei on 02/06/2024 - 21:27
            +1

            @x x: No you unplug one of your existing drives (probably the SSD since it has the least power demand) and plug in the new cable that skid suggested into the plug you just removed.

            Now you can power 2 drives off that single connector which is 4 drives total off one cable.

            Your original cable:
            PSU =====SATA======SATA=====SATA

            Suggest splitter solution:
            PSU =====SATA======SATA=====(2 x SATA)

            • x x on 03/06/2024 - 12:29

              @tekisei: Ok thanks got it. Someone said it was best for the HDD to have it's own power supply but I can see how the splitter will do the job.

          • Slippery Fish on 02/06/2024 - 21:33
            +1

            @x x: Holy god man, go to the pc shop your clueless no offence 😂

            Also

            If u dont have the spare cable id ask where ever you bought the pc from why, psu always comes with a full set of cables…

            • x x on 03/06/2024 - 12:49

              @Slippery Fish: I ordered this one:
              https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/133638421399

              Someone said it was best for the HDD to have it's own power supply but I can see how the splitter will do the job. I only have these cables left from my mobo box. The 3rd cable are 4 pin Molex connections which my PSU doesn't seem to have:
              https://imgur.com/daTtSYD

              • skid on 03/06/2024 - 12:56

                @x x: If you'd like to make use of the third cable with molex connecions, you can get molex to sata adapters like this one: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/134255862187

                The cable you ordered should be fine though.

              • Slippery Fish on 03/06/2024 - 13:59

                @x x: You will get by with what you got. You psu obv came with both molex and sata cable not 2x sata.

                Will be fine sir :)

                • x x on 03/06/2024 - 14:02

                  @Slippery Fish: thanks I think the only SATA power cable I received was used up connecting my 3 storage drives

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