[Explained] Where does a SATA cable go?

Building a new computer or upgrading an existing one can be a daunting task. And oftentimes some components get overlooked due to this. One such component is the SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) cable. You might have seen it but never paid attention to it and you might be wondering where exactly it goes.

SATA cables are used to connect storage devices such as HDD and SSD to your motherboard. One end of the cable goes into the storage device and the other goes into the motherboard. The placement of the connector on the motherboard varies from each motherboard. But usually, you can find it near the bottom of the motherboard.

Here in this article, we will discuss more about the SATA cable and give you a better idea of where to put the SATA cables.

Where Do You Install the SATA Cables?

As stated before, the SATA cable connects a storage device to the motherboard. It is small, flat, typically red or black, and it also has a thin L-shaped connector to each end. The connector on the motherboard is near the SATA ports, which are usually located next to the 24-pin power connectors.

Now, to install a SATA cable you can follow the steps below –

1. Firstly, locate the SATA cables on the storage device that are usually located on the back of the device.
2. After locating the SATA ports, simply plug the SATA cable into it.
3. Make sure the L-shaped connector is facing correctly.
4. Do the same after locating the SATA ports on the motherboard.

Note: There are different types of SATA cables. The newer generation SATA cables are the 6 Gbps ones that give the highest performance. Make sure that you are using the correct SATA cables for your system. Otherwise, it can lead to overall bad performance due to slow data transfer.

Where Do Different Types of SATA Cables Go?

There are also 2 basic types of SATA cables. They are SATA Power cables and SATA Data cables. These function differently and have different purposes.

1. SATA Power Cable

SATA power cable supplies power to the storage device. This type of SATA cable has 15 pins that come from the PSU unit (power supply). You can easily locate the SATA power ports on the storage device by their bigger size.

2. SATA Data Cable

The SATA data cables are the ones that go into the motherboard. This type of SATA cable has 7 pins. It sometimes comes with the motherboard or the storage device and if it doesn’t, you can always buy it separately. The SATA data ports are usually next to the SATA power ports in both the storage device and the motherboard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to connect SATA cables?

Yes, you need to connect SATA cables to connect a SATA device such as HDD to the motherboard.

How many SATA ports does a motherboard have?

The most common amount of SATA ports available on a motherboard is 4. There can be more but it is not needed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a SATA cable goes into the SATA port of a motherboard. The location of the SATA port varies from each motherboard. But usually, you can find it near the 24-pin power connector at the bottom of the motherboard. We hope we were able to help you understand where the SATA cables go. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us in the comments section.