Question Can you guys tell me what cable I should buy for my SSD?

[TheMightyBears]

Hi all,

I have a PC that I made a year ago. It has a 2TB NVME in the MOBO and the operating system is on there. I have just purchased a 4TB Samsung EVO V-NAND SSD. I'm assuming this will be plugged in to both the PSU, and the MOBO.

In terms of the PSU I have a Corsair SF600. Part Number: CP-9020382 / 79-003563

The MOBO is a ASRock B550M-ITX/AC.

My understanding is that this particular SSD needs a type 3 connector but I'm not 100% sure on that. So here is my questions and I hope someone can help a beginner like me:

1. I understand I need a SATA to SATA cable to connect the SSD to the MOBO. Will any old SATA cable do or does it need to be a specific one?
2. I don't understand which power cable I'm suppose to buy at all. I keep typing in 'PSU to SSD power connector' and the hits are widespread. My PSU has a 6 pin connector that reads "peripherals and SATA". Also, can this be any old cable, or should I order from Corsair to make sure everyone is working as well as it can?

 

[Aeacus]

4TB Samsung EVO V-NAND SSD.

Samsung 870 Evo? If so, any SATA3 data cable will do.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-3-Pack-Degree-Right/dp/B018Y2LEBE

Will any old SATA cable do or does it need to be a specific one?

Depends. If data cable is SATA1 or SATA2, you won't get the advertised read/write speeds. The drive is SATA3 drive.

2. I don't understand which power cable I'm suppose to buy at all.

Your PSU has the required power cable, labelled as SATA.

Power connector to the drive looks like so:

Direct link if image doesn't load: http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/sataindex.jpg

So, find the correct cable, plug one end to the PSU, labelled SATA and another end to the drive itself.

Also, can this be any old cable, or should I order from Corsair to make sure everyone is working as well as it can?

As long as the power cable is actually the one that came with the PSU. If it is another random cable, don't plug that to the PSU since PSU side pinout can be different and you may end up frying the PSU.

 

[TheMightyBears]

Thanks for the response. Most of the information I need is here.

Could I ask for an example image, or a link, to a power connector, that I'll need in this situation? Just so I have a proper handle on what I'm about to order.

 

[Eximo]

Thanks for the response. Most of the information I need is here.

Could I ask for an example image, or a link, to a power connector, that I'll need in this situation? Just so I have a proper handle on what I'm about to order.

You shouldn't need to order anything. PSUs still include SATA power connectors.

If you don't have one, and the PSU is modular, we need the exact PSU make and model to further advise.

Some OEM systems have SATA power cables that connect to the motherboard, these are non-standard so you would have to go to Dell, HP, etc to get the appropriate cable. Those OEMs have adopted custom variants of the ATX 12VO standard, and let the motherboard produce 5V and 3.3V that SATA drives need.

 

[Aeacus]

Could I ask for an example image, or a link, to a power connector, that I'll need in this situation? Just so I have a proper handle on what I'm about to order.

If you have misplaced the SATA power cable that your PSU came with, then your Corsair SF600 uses Corsair Type 4 power cables.

What you'd need then, is this,
specs: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/pc-...ta-cable-type-4-generation-3-black-cp-8920186

If you don't have one, and the PSU is modular, we need the exact PSU make and model to further advise.

OP said they have Corsair SF600.

Corsair power cable compatibility chart: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/s/psu-cable-compatibility

 

[TheMightyBears]

The PSU is modular. I bought it second hand from eBay so it didn't come with this cable. The PSU has worked solid for me for over a year now so no concerns about its reliability even though it is second hand.

I think you guys have provided all the information I need. Thank you so much. Big reps!

 

[Aeacus]

I bought it second hand

Bad idea.

1. You have 0 knowledge what kind of abuse the PSU has seen thus far. Or if it even provides voltages within ATX spec.
2. No PSU warranty.

For brand new unit, warranty would be 7 years. But since you bought yours used, 0 warranty.

so no concerns about its reliability

I'd be very suspicious since when PSU should work fine, then why sell it in the 1st place? 🤔
Usually, faulty hardware is sold 2nd hand.

 

[Eximo]

I could see selling an SFX PSU after deciding to get a more recent massive GPU that isn't well suited for smaller form factor computers.

I covet my 450W EVGA SFX PSU since no one seems to make decent PSUs in that power range anymore. I have considered getting a used one to replace my ancient 250W Silverstone.

 

[Misgar]

Depends. If data cable is SATA1 or SATA2, you won't get the advertised read/write speeds. The drive is SATA3 drive.

I stopped worrying about speeds after reading this test review on 3GB/s (SATA2) and 6Gb/s (SATA3) cables.
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/SATA-3Gb-s-vs-6Gb-s-Cable-Performance-Revisited-183/

The graphs below show three different 3Gb/s and one 6Gb/s cable with virtually no speed difference.

Of course if you buy really cheap (non-latching) cables, then you may have trouble, but these days I just buy quality 3Gb/s cables from Farnell.