IDE to SATA Converter

Hi, I want to add another HD to my PC but all my sata ports are used up, the only other option would be to buy an IDE to SATA converter.

If I buy a converter will the HD behave as if it were using SATA, will the transfer speeds remain the same? Or will it degrade?

Someone told me it would be possible to add 2 devices using the PATA/IDE ports, but so far I've only seen converters that only have an option for 1 IDE device. How many devices can the PATA port support?

Thanks.

karlsnooks said:

We can benefit from info about your system.

Please read, and read carefully, the following:
Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (3rd item in the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use SIW or Speccy or System Info

Add the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.




Thanks

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on the SAVE CHANGES button.

Sorry to hijack this thread,but tried speccy out and it says my HDD s are SATA,but my DVD drive is ATA,does this mean its IDE as I was thinking of replacing it?

Thanks

bishop101 said:

Hi, I want to add another HD to my PC but all my sata ports are used up, the only other option would be to buy an IDE to SATA converter.

If I buy a converter will the HD behave as if it were using SATA, will the transfer speeds remain the same? Or will it degrade?

Someone told me it would be possible to add 2 devices using the PATA/IDE ports, but so far I've only seen converters that only have an option for 1 IDE device. How many devices can the PATA port support?

Thanks.

A single IDE controller (channel) can handle two drives, a master and a slave. You would need an IDE to SATA adapter for each drive to connect two SATA drives. The IDE interface ATA-100 or ATA-133 is not as fast as the SATA interface. You may notice some degradation in speed. A better option might be to buy a PCIe SATA controller card.

Unfortunately I don't have an external case for the HD so I can't use a PCIe card. I think I will just buy a new MOBO, I think it's time I update it anyways.

I went to the computer store today, and the clerk said he would not recommend an IDE to SATA converter, he told me they were unreliable and could cause data corruption.

bishop101 said:

Unfortunately I don't have an external case for the HD so I can't use a PCIe card. I think I will just buy a new MOBO, I think it's time I update it anyways.

I went to the computer store today, and the clerk said he would not recommend an IDE to SATA converter, he told me they were unreliable and could cause data corruption.

Unless the PCIe card is eSATA only there is no need for an external case? Assuming you have an empty PCIe slot on your motherboard that is.

bishop101 said:

Unfortunately I don't have an external case for the HD so I can't use a PCIe card.

I'm not sure what you mean by this, as an PCIe SATA card would add more internal SATA ports to your computer.