CardBus adapters: USB 2.0 vs. SATA

  • Thread starter Thread starter Knack
  • Start date Start date
K

Knack

External HDD project for a laptop.

The way I understand it, a nonSATA HDD such as an Ultra ATA 100 can be
installed in a SATA external HDD enclosure. True?

Comparing a CardBus USB 2.0 adapter to a CardBus SATA adapter for use with
an external ATA 100 HDD. Addonics makes both such CardBus adapters. I don't
yet own a CardBus SATA adapter.

The maximum data transfer rate of CardBus is far slower than either USB 2.0
or SATA. So isn't CardBus the bottleneck in the data stream? If so, then
why would Addonics make a more expensive CardBus adapter for SATA? And SATA
cable is more expensive than USB 2.0 cable.

What would be the reason to choose a Cardbus SATA adapter over a Cardbus USB
2.0 adapter?
 
Knack said:
External HDD project for a laptop.
Click to expand...
The way I understand it, a nonSATA HDD such as an Ultra ATA 100 can be
installed in a SATA external HDD enclosure. True?
Click to expand...

Nope, the physical interface is completely different.
Comparing a CardBus USB 2.0 adapter to a CardBus SATA adapter for use with an
external ATA 100 HDD. Addonics makes both such CardBus adapters. I don't yet
own a CardBus SATA adapter.
Click to expand...
The maximum data transfer rate of CardBus is far slower than either
USB 2.0 or SATA. So isn't CardBus the bottleneck in the data stream? If so,
then why would Addonics make a more expensive CardBus adapter
for SATA? And SATA cable is more expensive than USB 2.0 cable.
Click to expand...
What would be the reason to choose a Cardbus SATA adapter over a Cardbus USB
2.0 adapter?
Click to expand...

SATA has a lot less protocol overhead than USB 2
and the SATA external drive can be used on a desktop
that has SATA external capability as well as the craptop.
 
Apparently it's been done,
Click to expand...

Nope. One is serial and the other parallel for starters.
but perhaps not by consumers yet?
Click to expand...

Not by anyone.
Addonics tested SATA on a Western Digital ATA100 120GB hard drive. See
http://www.addonics.com/emerging_technologies/sata_tutorial.asp
Click to expand...

That is something else entirely. SATA to IDE converters
have been around ever since SATA was buyable.
Did they use an available ATA to SATA interface adapter, or did they
construct their own special adapter for test purposes in their shop?
Click to expand...

Doesnt matter, that's nothing like putting an ATA drive into
a USB enclosure that is designed to take a SATA drive.
 
Rod Speed said:
Nope. One is serial and the other parallel for starters.


Not by anyone.


That is something else entirely. SATA to IDE converters
have been around ever since SATA was buyable.


Doesnt matter, that's nothing like putting an ATA drive into
a USB enclosure that is designed to take a SATA drive.
Click to expand...
You misundertood me. I'm comparing an ATA HDD within a USB2-to-ATA adapted
enclosure vs. an ATA HDD within a SATA-to-ATA enclosure (if there is such an
animal). The USB2 and SATA cables (respectively) would connect to
appropriate CardBus adapters.
 
You misundertood me.
Nope.

I'm comparing an ATA HDD within a USB2-to-ATA adapted enclosure vs. an ATA HDD
within a SATA-to-ATA enclosure (if there is such an animal).
Click to expand...

There isnt, like I said.
The USB2 and SATA cables (respectively)
would connect to appropriate CardBus adapters.
Click to expand...

Pity about the price of the SATA route even if it was buyable.

If you do want to go the SATA route, get a SATA drive.
 
Rod Speed said:
Nope, the physical interface is completely different.




SATA has a lot less protocol overhead than USB 2
Click to expand...

Take that thumb out of your mouth child.
 
Knack said:
External HDD project for a laptop.

The way I understand it, a nonSATA HDD such as an Ultra ATA 100 can be
installed in a SATA external HDD enclosure. True?

Comparing a CardBus USB 2.0 adapter to a CardBus SATA adapter for use with
an external ATA 100 HDD. Addonics makes both such CardBus adapters. I don't
yet own a CardBus SATA adapter.

The maximum data transfer rate of CardBus is far slower than either USB 2.0
or SATA. So isn't CardBus the bottleneck in the data stream?
Click to expand...

First make a conclusion then ask for a conclusion. Nice one.
If so, then why would Addonics make a more expensive CardBus adapter for SATA?
Click to expand...

See earlier comment.
And SATA cable is more expensive than USB 2.0 cable.

What would be the reason to choose a Cardbus SATA adapter over a Cardbus USB
2.0 adapter?
Click to expand...

Try something radical: speed?
 
Knack said:
The maximum data transfer rate of CardBus is far slower than either USB 2.0
Click to expand...

I'm not bothering to check the numbers, but this makes no sense, given
that there are a zillion CARDBUS USB2 adapters on the market, enabling
one to use USB2 devices at USB2 speeds.
 
I'm not bothering to check the numbers, but this makes no sense, given
that there are a zillion CARDBUS USB2 adapters on the market, enabling
one to use USB2 devices at USB2 speeds.
Click to expand...

I don't know what you mean by USB2 speeds but you won't get the
advertised USB2 speed or anything like it through a Cardbus.
 
I don't know what you mean by USB2 speeds but you won't get the
advertised USB2 speed or anything like it through a Cardbus.
Click to expand...

The Card Bus interface is rated at 132 MBps, whereas USB2 is 480 Mbps
~ 60 Mbps. Ignoring protocol overheads that makes it around twice the
speed.

Your statement needs clarification because it doesn't make sense as
it stands.
 
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