Against ATA SATA
Hard Disk Drives: compared with the ATA SATA
The results of the computer system was faster processor, memory and video cards are currently being developed. An important component is often ignored, if they focus on improving the performance of a computer system is the hard drive. HDD manufacturers is constantly changing the basic hard drive used in modern computer systems in the past 25 years, and over the past few years there have been some interesting developments, faster, larger caches, better reliability and speed of data transmission.
The disk is used in most computers, is the degree of consumer wealth ATA type drive (usually one IDE disk). ATA standard dates back to 1986 and is based on a 16-bit parallel interface has a lot of changes since its introduction in the speed and size of units that can support it. The final standard ATA-7 (for the first time in 2001, the Technical Committee T13 (a group responsible for the standard ATA)), for data transfer rates up to 133MB/sec. It was expected that last updated the parallel ATA standard.
Already in 2000, it was found that the Parallel ATA standard was up to its limits, that they can. With data transfer rates with the 133MB/sec mark on the parallel cable, you will be invited to all sorts of problems because of signal timing, EMI (electromagnetic interference) and other questions about the integrity of the data, so that the leaders of the industry to meet and develop a new standard, known as Serial ATA (SATA). SATA has been around a few years, but is destined to be "the norm", since a number of advantages, which are used in the Technical Board of Appeal.
Both technologies are: ATA (Advanced Technology Application), 16-bit parallel interface for computer control. Introduced in 1986, has a lot of changes over the past 18 years, with the latter option is the ATA-7. If any question as ATA device as a parallel ATA device. ATA devices, also known as IDE, EIDE, Ultra ATA, Ultra DMA, ATAPI, PATA, etc. (all of these acronyms actually refer to very specific, but they are often used interchangeably) SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Application) 1 - Participation in physical development with the Parallel ATA storage interface.
Key features and links
SATA drives easy to distinguish from their ATA cousins in different data and power connections on the back of the device. A side-by-side comparison of the two interfaces can be found in this PDF from Maxtor, and the following covers many of the differences
ATA-standard, as this model is 200 GB Western Digital, are a bit bulky, two inches wide and 40-pin data cable and 5V to the familiar 4-pin connector. The basic data cables for these drives have been around for many years. This change was the introduction of ATA-5 standard to improve the quality of the signal through a cable 80 in a 40-pin connector (they are usually referred to as 40-pin/80-wire cable). To improve the airflow in the computer system some manufacturers have taken literally folding over the cable, and the inclusion of this position. Another recent physical change also with the advent of rounded cables. The performance of the rounded cables is equal to the apartment, but many prefer the improved air circulation, ease of wire, and cooler appearance that they are.
SATA, as this model is 120 GB Western Digital, have half an inch width 7 "and width of the blade" data connections, resulting in a much thinner and easier to process the data cable. These cables, the convenience of the ATA rounded cables to the next level by using smaller, more flexible and can not, without fear of data loss. SATA cables have a maximum length of 1 meter (39.37 cm), which is significantly higher than the recommended 18-inch cable for ATA drives. Reducing the impact of SATA data space on motherboards, potentially more space for convenience and more functions on board!
A 15-pin connector provides 250mV of necessary power to SATA drives. 15-pin SATA device appears much greater than the power cord 4-pin ATA device, but in reality the two power connectors are nearly the same height. Currently, many SATA drives also equipped with a legacy 4-pin power connector for convenience.
Many modern motherboards, such as a chain of tech motherboard with on board hard disk SATA (many of ATA ports and legacy drive compatibility), and new food sources, such as this Ultra X - a connection, as a rule, some of the necessary 15-pin power connectors, the use of these devices in new systems. Older systems can easily switch from SATA drives using adapters such as PCI-SATA controller and 4-pin 15-pin SATA adapter.
Optical drives are also more easily with SATA connections. Units of measurement, such as the PLEXTOR PX-712SA, to use the new interface, although no more than a comparable optical drives with ATA connection.
Performance
In addition, more convenient to install and drawing less power, SATA performance gains, in fact, that is different from the ATA.
The most interesting feature of SATA power is the greatest possible bandwidth. As we have already determined the evolution of ATA drives, data transfer rate reaches its maximum of 133 MB / sec, where the current SATA standard provides data transfers up to 150 MB / sec. Increase the overall efficiency of ATA SATA can now be expected that up to 5% (by Seagate), but improvements in SATA technology will improve in this regard.
SATA is the future of great things for those who want even greater speed, as well as a device with 300 MB / s transfer rate (SATA II) in 2005 and 2008 at speeds up to 600 MB / sec can be expected. These incredible speed and it is difficult to predict at this time.
Another advantage of the performance of SATA drives is built-in hot swap capabilities. SATA and offline, without a break in the system, for those who can not afford the time and you want to move in and out of operation quickly. The largest number of wires in the power supply part of the same, while six out of fifteen for the cable, the hot swap function.
Price
Comparison of ATA to the SATA can be tricky, since all the variables, but, as the case that SATA drives will still cost only slightly more than in the ATA-compatible disks. The gap quickly, but as SATA drives gain popularity and availability of price changes can be expected. Taking into account the advantages of SATA over ATA, the potential difference of a few dollars can be justified when you upgrade. Geeks group currently has only a limited selection of disks SATA, but several technical sites, such as equipment and technology room, we present a real-time prices, to see how comparable units.
Final words
The current SATA standard provides significant benefits in the ATA in terms of comfort, and especially energy efficiency. Main ATA is on their side this time is history, as it is the norm for so long that they do not disappear in the near future. The future of SATA will be even more interesting to increase the speed of the hard drive to develop along with other system components.