Why are SATA Power cables with the actual correct ends so rare to find? what am I missing?

Posted by Smexy_Zarow@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 17 comments

im looking at internal SATA SSD's and its no problem to find SATA Data cables for connecting them to the motherboard, but whenever i look for SATA Power cables, they always either have some weird end that i have no idea what its supposed to match, or is just the ssd power input ends without any part that connects elsewhere. i wish i could just show images of what i mean, but basically, it seems all power supplies have SATA Outlets that look like 2x3 or 2x4 pin things, when i look at power cables that id connect from the harddrive to the PSU, they end up having some completely different endings that often wouldnt fit the beforementioned outlets. im not saying there isnt any that would fit, but why is there so many that have different cable ends?? are you not supposed to connect internal harddrives to the PSU with a power cable? im aware theyre a bit outdated now that motherboards have the M.2 slots, but im looking at SATA out of curiosity for the hyptothetical scenario when you need more storage and lack the M.2 Slots but have SATA inlets available

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17 Comments

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TheMagarity@reddit

The sata power cable from the psu looks like the data cable except about twice as wide. There are usually at least 3 on one cable and sometimes 4. I'm not able to figure out what you mean by 2x3 and 2x4. Are you thinking of the power supply end of a modular cable?

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Smexy_Zarow@reddit (OP)

im just completely lost at this point so idk what to even ask to try to understand, but with images, [this](https://www.build-gaming-computers.com/images/how-to-connect-modular-psu-cables.jpg) is the only type of outlets i see on PSUs, while most cables for powering sata harddrives look like either [this](https://dk.farnell.com/productimages/standard/en_GB/2254525-40.jpg) or [this](https://b2569709.smushcdn.com/2569709/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/KNM0558-1000x1000.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1), and i dont understand how these are supposed to connect to the PSU if it only has these square seperate pin ports

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TheMagarity@reddit

Ok, so picture 1 is the power supply. The end of the sata data cable goes in there for that particular model. The psu came with a bag of cables. You just need the one that has sata power on one end and that power supply's plug on the other end. That's all there is to it. The other misc pictures are converters and extenders. Neither of those go into the power supply end. So, the heart of the problem seems to be you lost the bag of cables that came with your power supply. All you have to do is order a cable from the manufacturer. The psu ends are not standard so whatever brand and model psu you have, get the cable for it. The best place to do that is order it from the company that made the psu.

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Robot_Graffiti@reddit

Those cables in the pictures are not modular cables, they don't plug into a PSU directly, they plug into a cable that comes out of a PSU. The first one converts a floppy drive power cable into an SSD power cable. The second one converts one SSD power cable into 4 SSD power cables. Either one works with any brand of power supply that you are physically able to connect it to. If you already have one SSD/hard drive cable hooked up you will probably be able to use that second one to add more SSDs to your computer. Otherwise, you need to google "modular [X] SATA power cable" where [X] is the brand of your power supply. Or check the box your power supply came in to see if you have a spare modular cable already. If you use the wrong brand of modular cable, a tiny electrical component somewhere in your PC will stop working forever. Maaaaybe pop or catch fire. So try not to do that.

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rabbiferret@reddit

Picture number one is the modular portion of your PSU. There are literal ports labeled SATA1,2,3 picture #2 is an old SATA power converter. The 4 pin side is an ATX 4PIN POWER connector, an old standard. picture #3 is a SATA power cable that plugged into a different kind of modular power supply. Your PSU should've come with the correct cable for both the PSU configuration and the Sata daisy chain like picture 3.

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pnut815@reddit

Sounds like you have a modular psu from seeing the sata end but not being sure where the end goes. Did you build this or buy it from some where? I think us knowing more about the psu would allow us to help you better.

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JellyfishAreMyJam@reddit

Are you taking about power cables that attach to your power supply? Because it's you are, you have to get ones that specifically match your PSU model. These cables are not universal, and are wired differently by different manufacturers.

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Smexy_Zarow@reddit (OP)

yes im talking about cables to power sata harddrives, so how do you search for the cables with the specific ends you need? what are they all called?

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lovely_sombrero@reddit

You need to get them from the manufacturer of the PSU for your specific PSU model. They are called modular cables, but there is no standard, so even if a cable from manufacturer A does fit into a PSU from manufacturer B, the wiring could be different and you could fry the entire thing.

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XGreenDirtX@reddit

Lets first check this: OP, do you have a modular PSU, or not? If so, do you still have the cables that came with it? It should be in there. If not, there should be a cable in your PC that fits.

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Smexy_Zarow@reddit (OP)

i just realised psus come with the exact cable that i was confused about not being able to find online. i am a cretin

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XGreenDirtX@reddit

This is how we learn. Good luck building and keep reaching out.

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skyfishgoo@reddit

there are SATA power cables and there are SATA data cables... they are separate things and yes the connectors are different so you don't hook up the power cable to the data port and fry the blasted thing.

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Smexy_Zarow@reddit (OP)

i said i have no problem with understanding data cable connection, its the power cable thats confusing me

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KoldPurchase@reddit

SATA data cables are standardized, so are the PSU cables that connects to the SATA drive. What is not standardized is the connection to the PSU unit itself. But your post is unclear because you mention both... If you are looking for a PSU cable, you need the right brand. If your PSU is EVGA, than you need to search for "*EVGA SATA power cable*" You get something like this: [Link](https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/dalimentation-broches-pilotes-rechange-Supernova/dp/B08N4LVCLR/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2JIO9TYMM7ZXP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y2oC9E_qpNyourAX6cRYzGq1bvJ_Q1W0dymUQrnmNk5uG1ah7Rvujw42XPxtJo9r5RFhZaTchkT-_KylV-R7IRgVlpqB0WDzD13Bf8_UF2wHPBPF4HO9fBeBzwKjbo236S3mjEZyKAv3Bs10S5lzboFhoAAevHeWRWKppt3t2kWYYycTnQjyqs7FjeysD9EVh_YMraDsYda0U2N7PEsKtbNqmc2UHNgSjAJqfNmp-_5jjikhlqRsfMJ34jFYCSnFfY8pDuCuT2OnndwBwUAzNlC--eMKsH_pdO7ozquoxAE.Xj942UBEn5B4Tn2zB7BBNXCRC3QZghtteW0Vq2KOsDM&dib_tag=se&keywords=evga+sata+power+cable&qid=1721944035&sprefix=evga+sata%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-5) If it's sata cables, then there are straights ones and bent ones, it just depends on how your motherboard is made.

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Smexy_Zarow@reddit (OP)

Im confused, what is a PSU cable that connects to the SATA drive if not a cable between the PSU and drive? why is a connection between the psu and drive itself not a thing? those two sound like the same thing just rephrased

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Talented_BX_Tongue@reddit

microcenter is a good place to start