Sata connection question

[boxterduke]

Hello,

I'm new to SATA drives configurations so please bare with me and thanks for understanding.

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I'm thinking of getting another SATA HD for storage.

I have the Asus P5K and have the boot SATA drive on SATA1. I have the SATA DVD drive on SATA4. See screenie.
http://www.geocities.com/[email protected]/mobo.JPG

Now if I get another SATA HD, should I use the same data cable as the one that has the boot drive on it?
How would the computer know which drive to boot from if I connect the two drives on the same controller?

Is it better to plug in the new drive into another SATA controller?

 

[xenotype]

SATA cables are end to end. one end plugs into your motherboard or controller, the other end into your harddrive or cd/dvd rom. PATA allows for two devices on one cable, SATA does not. Just plug the new sata HD into either SATA 2 or SATA 3. You will need a new cables, but the drive prolly comes with it, unless you get an OEM drive. Check out monoprice.com for cheap cheap cheap cables.

 

[boxterduke]

SATA cables are end to end. one end plugs into your motherboard or controller, the other end into your harddrive or cd/dvd rom.

Then how come my power supply (Corsair HX620) cables have three SATA connectors on them + the one that plug in the motherboard?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Red Falcon]

Then how come my power supply (Corsair HX620) cables have three SATA connectors on them + the one that plug in the motherboard?

Those are the power cables. He was talking about the data cables, which are end-to-end.

Having more than one HDD does not hurt a SATA controller. Just go into the BIOS after connecting the second drive and tell it to boot to the HDD with vista on it. It's as easy as that!

 

[boxterduke]

Aha, cool thanks a bunch guys.