What is the difference between mSATA and SATA SSDs?

Question

Is there any difference between an mSATA SSD and an SATA SSD (other than the fact that the mSATA doesn't take up a disk slot)?

score 57 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 12 '20 at 13:48

According to Wikipedia:

Mini-SATA, which is distinct from the micro connector, was announced by the Serial ATA International Organization on September 21, 2009. Applications include netbooks and other devices that require a smaller solid-state drive. The connector is similar in appearance to a PCI Express Mini Card interface, and is electrically compatible, however the data signals (TX±/RX± S-ATA, PETn0 PETp0 PERn0 PERp0 PCI-express) need to go to the S-ATA host controller instead of the PCI-express host controller.

Due to the fact there was no standard in the beginning there is still some fogginess around this subject. What makes this clear is this application note from NXP explaining how to use a PCI-express/S-ATA router chip. Of course one does not have to use such a chip, 4 simple three way switches would suffice.

SATA vs mSATA

Also, you can find another reference here.

score 23 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 25 '13 at 21:07

23

Looks like mSATA is like mobile sata ssd plugs into a mini-PCIexpress slot on a notebook. sata ssd's can work as a replacement hard drive in the normal slot of a notebook and in desktop computers. Found this on the Msata on the notebook review.

edited Mar 25 '13 at 21:07

msanford

761

answered May 23 '12 at 12:13

Phillip R.

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score 10 · Answer 3 · answered May 23 '12 at 12:14

10

There's no difference. mSATA is a regular SATA interface over a mini-PCIe connector.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSATA#mSATA

answered May 23 '12 at 12:14

Indrek

24,874

score 4 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 19 '13 at 07:06

I'm agreeing with the Wiki page, early versions of mSATA are not compatible electrically with PCI-e, ie you will need to re-solder and move capacitors around to make it work.

According to grog in this forum some drives can connect to newer motherboard PCI-e slots, but it's best to check on the manufacturer's specifications whether it is compatible.

@brownman, just because people make comments on the forums of a manufacturer doesn't mean they are verified unless intervention from moderators occurs. I can't work out why this link is relevant, sorry :/.

score 2 · Answer 5 · edited Mar 15 '13 at 09:32

2

There is no electrical difference between the two, it's 1:1 connection. that's coming from the forum at Crucial, a maker of MSATA itself.

You can find the answer in Crucial Forum - Secure erase Crucial M4 (msata) with adapter?

edited Mar 15 '13 at 09:32

wonea

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answered Mar 15 '13 at 08:12

brownman

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What is the difference between mSATA and SATA SSDs?

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