Solved connecting an SSD to eSATA

[socrgy9]

so i have recently upgraded my OS SSD and i have the old one lying around. I want to try connecting it to an eSATA port on the I/O of my mobo to use as a scratch disk, temp stuff, game install, w/e.

i understand that to run regular HDDs you usually need an eSATAp port (12v power), or an eSATA cable with an additional power plug from either usb or molex.

what i'm not sure of is which one i need. if what i'm researching is correct, the one with the USB power cable supplies 5v power and the molex would supply 12v power?

basically, whats the difference in these two cables besides the obvious molex power connector or USB power connector, and what do i need to plug in/power the SSD externally:

50cm 20" 22 pin (15 Pin + 7 Pin) eSATA External Serial ATA ( eSATA ) to 7 Pin Power Over External Serial ATA eSATAp eSATA with IDE 4 Pin Power Cable for 3.5? and 2.5? Hard Disk Adapter Cable -OEM - SATA / eSATA Cables - Newegg.com

Evercool EC-ST001 eSATA 15.75", USB power cable 31.5" eSATA Cable For SATA HDD and SSD M-M - Newegg.com

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

The first one would require you to tap into your PSU to get power to the SSD. That would be very inconvenient but would have enough power available to allow you to run both 2.5" and 3.5" HDDs as well as an SSD (4 pin Molex provides both 12v and 5v).

The second one would be more practical for an SSD since you make all of your connections externally. The USB cable is used to get the 5v needed to run the SSD. Since only 5v is available from USB, you would only be able to run SSDs on that cable.

 

[socrgy9]

Thanks for the reply! And that's exactly what I suspected after my digging. I just wanted to make sure I was understanding correctly.