Question Molex to Sata power adapter safe?

[jaymes2015]

Is something like this safe for hard drive and other components?

 

[Barty1884]

In theory, yes, they're safe.
However, not all adapters are created equal, and many cheap options are potential fire hazards.

Personally, I wouldn't use them, but plenty others have without issue. It's very much at "at your own risk" type deal.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Yes an adapter like this is safe. Edit, if its of decent quality.

Molex to 6 pin isnt safe no matter the brand.

 

[Barty1884]

Yes an adapter like this is safe.

Too general a statement there remix.
https://cryptovoid.net/sata-power-adapters-safe/

I'd be reasonably confident in something from a known cable brand, like Startech.
https://www.newegg.com/black-starte...TA&cm_re=MOLEX_to_SATA-_-12-400-306-_-Product

I'd be much, much less so in something like this:
https://www.newegg.com/p/0ZF-0002-0...m_re=MOLEX_to_SATA-_-0ZF-0002-00002-_-Product

 

[AllanGH]

Molex to 6 pin isnt safe.

I'll second that.

Just do a forum search on ( "my computer" AND ( "fire" OR "smoke" ) ).

 

[jaymes2015]

My 2007 1TB Seagate internal HDD died from a "molex to sata" ...even today I'm not sure if it was the adapter or Seagate itself like they always failed.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

I used an external hard drive that used one of these adapters for about a year before putting in my pc. It didnt damage anything.

Failing hard drives are pretty common, but it could uave been the adapter.

 

[AllanGH]

The thing about a "molex" to SATA (the connector used is actually an AMP Industries MATE-N-LOK terminal housing, so calling it a "molex" is about as wrong as it gets) adapter is that the current through the terminal interface and wires just isn't much at all.

These type of adapters are not an issue in terms of heating the wires. Wiring accuracy, on the other hand, can be an issue when sourced from seriously cut-rate suppliers. Of course, a wiring error will pop the hard drive immediately, so your issue was likely the natural end of life of the HDD.

Where you run into problems is when you start "Y-ing" or adapting things like MB processor connections, or video card supply connectors. That's when you start melting or smoking insulation. If a PSU doesn't have enough of the proper connector housings supplied with it, it's time for a new PSU, and probably a bump-up in load capacity.