How to plug-in this hard drive?

Question

I need to install this hard drive "WD800JD-60JRC0". It is Serial ATA. But what really confuses me is that it has molex connector. I think I can plug what I want: SATA power cable or Molex. But which one is better?

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 13 '12 at 14:02

Older drives, especially during the transition between SATA and PATA had both connectors - that meant you could use a non sata PSU with a sata motherboard (or a non sata motherboard with a sata card). Use either one - the 3.5 v connector in sata is the only major difference electrically, and this isn't used in that drive.

score 5 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 13 '12 at 17:33

5

Either cable will work. It will simply depend what you have available.

Both Molex and SATA power cables will work. The basic difference between the two is the Connector Type - Molex is more generic and found on lower end PSU's, it is also a bulkier connector type.

Molex vs SATA connectors

edited Jan 13 '12 at 17:33

Dwayne Hinterlang

593

answered Jan 13 '12 at 13:44

Dave M

13,250

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 13 '12 at 13:59

0

They both supply the power the drive needs; neither will do anything more than the other.

answered Jan 13 '12 at 13:59

Aaron McIver

1,415

How to plug-in this hard drive?

3 Answers3