Serial ATA and Ultra ATA Hard Drives in Same PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter ChadDiesel
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ChadDiesel

Hello Everyone,

I have a computer with a 120GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200RPM), but
with editing video from my DV cam, I am a little low on space. Best
Buy has a few rebates on a Seagate Barracuda 120GB Ultra ATA (7200
RPM)hard drive, and I was thinking about adding it as a second hard
drive. Would having a Serial and Ultra drive in the same computer on
the same cable be a problem? Any information would be appreciated.

Thank You,

Chad
 
No problems... But other things can factor. Hd's take about 30-60 watts each
(i think) and power can be an issue. But not likly.
 
No problems... But other things can factor. Hd's take about 30-60 watts each
(i think) and power can be an issue. But not likly.
Click to expand...

Typical hard drive takes about 15W, a little more spinning
up and a little less just sitting idle.

There should be no problem adding an ATA drive to a system
already using SATA. You will need an ATA cable, it does not
plug into the same cable as SATA (SATA cables are 1 per
drive anyway, you couldn't even plug a second SATA drive
into same cable). Retail packaged ATA drives almost always
come with an ATA cable in the box, so the remaining issues
aren't related to it being ATA, just the typical things like
having room in the case for it with adequate airflow, and a
spare ATA (IDE) controller channel position to plug it in.
 
Serial HDs and Ultra ATA HDs use a completely different type of cable.

You cannot connect both on the same cable.

However, you should be able to run both HDs in the same computer on
different cables, each with their own interface to the MB.
 
kony said:
Typical hard drive takes about 15W, a little more spinning
up and a little less just sitting idle.

There should be no problem adding an ATA drive to a system
already using SATA. You will need an ATA cable, it does not
plug into the same cable as SATA (SATA cables are 1 per
drive anyway, you couldn't even plug a second SATA drive
into same cable). Retail packaged ATA drives almost always
come with an ATA cable in the box, so the remaining issues
aren't related to it being ATA, just the typical things like
having room in the case for it with adequate airflow, and a
spare ATA (IDE) controller channel position to plug it in.
Click to expand...


Thanks to everyone for the information. I think I will purchase the drive.

Thanks,

Chad
 
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