HDD ATA or SATA?

[CMierez]

Hello. Well, the thing is that I want to buy a new HDD for my desktop computer. While browsing through Best Buy I noticed that most of the HDDs are ATA. (And the ones which are SATA have an excessive amount of storage, 4-8Tb).
First of all, what's the difference between ATA and SATA? What'd be main difference between a drive of each type?
I'm buying an SSD too and I also noticed there are ATA versions too though I was recommended to go for the SATA III version. Still, what'd be the difference?
Finally, is it just a thing of Best Buy not having that many options or is it that HDDs only come in ATA version?

Excuse me if I'm asking really basic stuff, but I really need some help with this. I don't live in the US so I can't afford to mess up with my purchase since I would not be able to ask for a refund or anything of that sort.

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[USAFRet]

That's just labeling.

What you need to look for is IDE vs ATA/SATA. You don't want IDE.

They will ALL say "SATA III". For an HDD, it makes no difference SATA II or SATA III.

 

[CMierez]

They will ALL say "SATA III". For an HDD, it makes no difference SATA II or SATA III.

So there's no difference between ATA and SATA? Isn't there a compatibility issue or something?

Btw, if that's the case, this'd be what I'd be buying then:
- WD - Mainstream 1TB Internal Serial ATA Hard Drive for Desktops - Multi
- Samsung - 850 PRO 256GB Internal SATA III Solid State Drive for Laptops - Black

This is for a Gaming Pc. Would that HDD be able to handle the 'stress'?
(English is not my native language).

 

[USAFRet]

They will ALL say "SATA III". For an HDD, it makes no difference SATA II or SATA III.

So there's no difference between ATA and SATA? Isn't there a compatibility issue or something?

Btw, if that's the case, this'd be what I'd be buying then:
- WD - Mainstream 1TB Internal Serial ATA Hard Drive for Desktops - Multi
- Samsung - 850 PRO 256GB Internal SATA III Solid State Drive for Laptops - Black

This is for a Gaming Pc. Would that HDD be able to handle the 'stress'?
(English is not my native language).

Yes. Both good choices.

 

[k1114]

Serial ATA = SATA, they are just stated differently. ATA and SATA are not the same. ATA = IDE = PATA. But these are both SATA.

 

[CMierez]

They will ALL say "SATA III". For an HDD, it makes no difference SATA II or SATA III.

So there's no difference between ATA and SATA? Isn't there a compatibility issue or something?

Btw, if that's the case, this'd be what I'd be buying then:
- WD - Mainstream 1TB Internal Serial ATA Hard Drive for Desktops - Multi
- Samsung - 850 PRO 256GB Internal SATA III Solid State Drive for Laptops - Black

This is for a Gaming Pc. Would that HDD be able to handle the 'stress'?
(English is not my native language).

Yes. Both good choices.

Thanks a lot! Now, I wonder, I just saw a 500Gb Samsung SSD, but this one is just ATA. Is there any change in performance with that one?

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks a lot! Now, I wonder, I just saw a 500Gb Samsung SSD, but this one is just ATA. Is there any change in performance with that one?

No, just labeling. SATA = Serial ATA.
Do you have a link to this?

 

[CMierez]

Thanks a lot! Now, I wonder, I just saw a 500Gb Samsung SSD, but this one is just ATA. Is there any change in performance with that one?

No, just labeling. SATA = Serial ATA.
Do you have a link to this?

Here:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-850-evo-500gb-internal-serial-ata-solid-state-drive-for-laptops-black/1662009.p?skuId=1662009

It also says that it's for laptops but I'm guessing that shouldn't be too big of a deal, right?

 

[USAFRet]

Here:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-850-evo-500gb-internal-serial-ata-solid-state-drive-for-laptops-black/1662009.p?skuId=1662009

It also says that it's for laptops but I'm guessing that shouldn't be too big of a deal, right?

I have that exact same drive, and am using it right now.
"Laptop", simply because it will fit in a laptop. It also works in a desktop. Same data and power interface.
More cases in the last few years have dedicated 2.5" drive mounts.

 

[CMierez]

Here:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-850-evo-500gb-internal-serial-ata-solid-state-drive-for-laptops-black/1662009.p?skuId=1662009

It also says that it's for laptops but I'm guessing that shouldn't be too big of a deal, right?

I have that exact same drive, and am using it right now.
"Laptop", simply because it will fit in a laptop. It also works in a desktop. Same data and power interface.
More cases in the last few years have dedicated 2.5" drive mounts.

However, eventhough it is SATA after all, it's not SATA III, is it?

 

[USAFRet]

However, eventhough it is SATA after all, it's not SATA III, is it?

Yes, it is SATA III.

The BestBuy specs (such as they are) do not specify SATA III or not.
Specs at Samsung, however, do specify:

http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/product/consumer/850evo.html
INTERFACE
SATA 6Gb/s
-----------------------------
SATA 6Gb/s = SATA III
(confusing, right?)

 

[CMierez]

However, eventhough it is SATA after all, it's not SATA III, is it?

Yes, it is SATA III.

The BestBuy specs (such as they are) do not specify SATA III or not.
Specs at Samsung, however, do specify:

http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/product/consumer/850evo.html
INTERFACE
SATA 6Gb/s
-----------------------------
SATA 6Gb/s = SATA III
(confusing, right?)

Weird. But at least that means I can go for that one instead. Yay!
As for the HDD, what's your opinion about this one:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-mainstream-1tb-internal-serial-ata-hard-drive-for-desktops-multi/9312067.p?skuId=9312067
It's a Western Digital though I've heard Seagate is nice option too...

 

[USAFRet]

Weird. But at least that means I can go for that one instead. Yay!
As for the HDD, what's your opinion about this one:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-mainstream-1tb-internal-serial-ata-hard-drive-for-desktops-multi/9312067.p?skuId=9312067
It's a Western Digital though I've heard Seagate is nice option too...

Yes, that is an averagly good drive. I'd have no issues with putting that in my PC.

 

[CMierez]

Weird. But at least that means I can go for that one instead. Yay!
As for the HDD, what's your opinion about this one:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-mainstream-1tb-internal-serial-ata-hard-drive-for-desktops-multi/9312067.p?skuId=9312067
It's a Western Digital though I've heard Seagate is nice option too...

Yes, that is an averagly good drive. I'd have no issues with putting that in my PC.

Okay! Thank you a lot for all your help, though one final question. If it was you buying an HDD, which one would you go for?

 

[USAFRet]

Okay! Thank you a lot for all your help, though one final question. If it was you buying an HDD, which one would you go for?

Depends on use, size requirement, and budget.
Seagate or WD. Both good.

WD Black or BLue, 7200RPM. WD has recently changed their labeling, so its hard to tell exactly.
Basically, 7200 RPM without 'Intellipower'.

 

[CMierez]

Okay! Thank you a lot for all your help, though one final question. If it was you buying an HDD, which one would you go for?

Depends on use, size requirement, and budget.
Seagate or WD. Both good.

WD Black or BLue, 7200RPM. WD has recently changed their labeling, so its hard to tell exactly.
Basically, 7200 RPM without 'Intellipower'.

Very well. So, thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it!