In this article, we are going to explain how to tell if your SATA cable is 6 GB/s. There are now three versions of SATA cables on the market, SATA 1, SATA 2 and SATA 3. SATA 3 is the latest version and is the only SATA cable capable of a data transfer speed of 6 GB/s. Cables are a crucial part of any PC setup. If you want the best from your drives get the best cables you can. It is therefore important for you to know how to tell what SATA cable you have. Ready? Let’s get to it.
In a hurry? Here are our quick tips on how to identify a SATA 6GB/s cable. Read the label attached to the cable. If one or both of the connectors is at a 90-degree angle then it is a SATA 3 cable.
How To Tell If A SATA Cable Is 6GB/s
Unlike previous versions of SATA cables, the SATA 3 cable comes with right angled connectors either at one end or at both ends of the cable. This makes them much easier to connect to drives in PC towers where space is at a premium.
The SATA 3 cables come with locking latches on one or both ends of the cable connectors. This is a feature that SATA 1 and SATA cables do not have.
The locking mechanism will prevent accidental disconnection during data transfer therefore minimising data loss and or data corruption. This was a common issue with the older versions of SATA cables.
SATA 3 cables are made with a more durable construction and lower profile than earlier versions. This superior construction over the earlier versions prevents snagging and pulling that may lead to disconnection from the SATA ports.
Most SATA 3 cables are between 1 and 1.5 metres in length. This gives you much greater flexibility when building your rig.
SATA 3 cables now come with labels to identify them correctly. However you must ensure that you buy your cables from a reputable vendor as many cheap cables labelled as SATA 3 have been found to be mislabelled SATA 2 cables.
What Is SATA 6GB/s
SATA is one of the two principle interfaces that connect major components to a PC motherboard.
SATA is a computer bus whose main function is to connect hard drives, solid state drives and optical drives to a motherboard in order to transfer data. SATA 6GB/s is the latest evolution of SATA and provides data transfer speeds of 6GB/s.
What Does A SATA Cable Look Like
SATA cables are thin and flat with L-shaped 7 pin connectors at each end. SATA 3 cables have 90-degree angled connectors at one or both ends.
SATA 1 2 3 Cable Difference
The difference between the cables is data transfer speed. SATA 1 transfers at 1.5 GB/s, SATA 2 3 GB/s and SATA 3 6 GB/s.
The cables are backward compatible but you cannot achieve a transfer speed greater than the rating of the port. For example you can plug in a SATA 3 cable into a SATA 2 port but will only achieve a maximum speed of 3 GB/s.
SATA Cable 6GB/s FAQ
How To Identify SATA 1 2 3
The best place to identify SATA 1 2 or 3 is to refer to the labelling on the cable itself. Alternatively you can enter the make a model of your motherboard into any search engine and you will find a wealth of information and support.
How To Tell What SATA You Have
The SATA ports on your motherboard should be clearly labeled with either SATA I, SATA II or SATA III.
Do SATA 6GB/s Cables Have A Specific Color?
No, SATA 6 GB/s cables do not have a specific color. The cable color depends entirely on the manufacturer.
How Do I Know If My Motherboard Supports SATA 3
The documentation that comes with your motherboard will clearly state if you have SATA 3. If it does not then it is safe to assume that your motherboard supports only SATA 2. You will still be able to use your SATA 3 cables but you will not achieve a data transfer speed of 6 GB/s.
Final Words About How To Tell If SATA Cable Is 6GB/s
So as you can see there are a number of ways how to tell if a SATA cable is 6GB/s. But the most important advice is to ensure that you buy your SATA cables from a reputable vendor.
This will ensure you are getting what you ask for. Many cheap cables labeled as SATA 3 are actually SATA 2 cables. If you are struggling to tell what SATA you have, be sure to refer to your motherboard’s documentation.
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