Can I clone OS onto Samsung SSD with SATA cable instead of USB cable?

[wanaride]

I want to install a 500GB Samsung EVO drive into my desktop but I do not have the "special USB cable" for data migration. I do have free SATA data and power cables inside the computer. I want to connect the SSD to SATA data/power and clone the OS/programs from HDD to SSD.

Will this work, or must the cloning procedure be done over USB, thus requiring the special cable??

 

[Mattios]

You should be fine. As long as the drive is plugged in in some way it will work.

 

[geofelt]

Clone to sata is actually better. It is faster for one thing. No need to mount the ssd, just leave it dangling with the sata data and signal cables attached and the case open.
At the end, install the new ssd where the original boot drive was.

 

[wanaride]

Thanks, this is very helpful!