mSATA to SATA converter - bad idea for SSD?

[Neptun]

Hello!

I recently bought a new SSD for my ASUS Sabertooth 990fx (Desktop PC). But by mistake I purchased a Crucial m4 mSATA instead of the SATA version. The disk is meant to be my system disk.

1. Comparing mSATA to SATA, is there a noticeably difference in performance?

2. If I would buy a converter to SATA:
a) is it likely that I will run into problems regarding compatibility and drivers?
b) will there be a big loss in performance?

Thank you for your input!

 

[bignastyid]

Msata is still sata its just uses a smaller connector so you should be just fine using a msata to sata adapter.

 

[bryonhowley]

I am using one for my OS X boot drive and it is every bit as fast as my 2.5" SSD. I had got it at the time because I had a Gigabyte motherboard that had a MSata port on board but that board died the same day I got it. When I got my Z77 Sabertooth of course it did not have one built on. I got a MSata to 2.5" SATA adapter and it seem to be spot on as far as speed. It was only about $20 for the adapter so not to bad.

 

[Pailin]

One thing to check up though...

Last night I saw someone on Amazon that accidentally ordered the "m" version of the Vertex 4 512GB which they found has significantly lower performance than the regular desktop version.

So, I'd go check some reviews on your drive then go with the best cheapest option to remedy your situation.

Good Luck

 

[JohnnyLucky]

There should no performance difference between a SATA ssd and an mSATA ssd. SATA to mSATA adapter cables are readily available.

I maintain the ssd database listed in the sticky at the very top of this forum section. Here is the link:

http://www.johnnylucky.org/data-storage/ssd-database.html

Scroll down to the Crucial section where you will find the m4 and the m4 mSATA listed. Follow the links to the technical reviews.

 

[RetiredChief]

1) Primary diff: Sata M4 is a +5V and mSata M4 is a +3.3 V device.
2) Sata Power spec provides for +3.3 V, +5V and the +3.3V
Bottom line here is - AOK with using a converter.

Performance Sata Vs mSata SSD (same family) - Benchmark may show a slight diff as the mSata Version is lower power, However the User should NOT see a diff in real life performance as long as the NAND chips (outside of Voltage level) are the same and the controller is identical.

 

[das_stig]

Aren't the latest Vertex 4 using the new inhouse controller, which has been found to have lower perform than normal sandforce controllers, I dropped getting one in favour of the Vertex 3 for this reason.

 

[Pailin]

Well, just for interest I have copied what that guy I mentioned on Amazon below:
(I've not looked into this myself as yet. Just came across this reading Amazon user reviews after (reading Pro site reviews) ordering a Vertex 4 model No: VTX4-25SAT3-256G)



By I. M. Hawley
Size Name:512GB
Take care to check the model number carefully. My manager specifically ordered this model:

OCZ VTX4-25SAT3-512G

But received this one:

OCZ VTX4-25SAT3-512G.M

The .M model is using Micron flash not Intel and is a slower model - although nobody has mentioned just how much slower.

I have the correct model now, and it seems hugely fast, faster than the Crucial model a colleague has on comparable long running, disk heavy operations.

Of interest, our order was fulfilled by Amazon but sold by a different company, so I don't know if this was a genuine error or whether I should be cynical about the third party vendor - note that the .M model can be had for £310 so be careful.

 

[Pailin]

Well, I did a little reading into it now.

in the case of the Vertex 4 drives the "m" designation purely indicates the use of Micron memory which is slower.

RyderOCZ:
"Yes.. the cheaper one performance is lower.... Sequential speeds are close, but low QD perf is different, etc. "

But nothing to do with mSATA in this case.

 

[Neptun]

Wow!
What a great response for my question, I'm thankful for your replies and I will be getting myself a converter instead of sending the mSATA back to the dealer.

Thank you! 🙂

edit: Best answer to RetiredChief for providing a more detailed info. thx!

 

[siebert37]

This is random but Im in the opposite boat and bought the regular sata instead of msata. What size is yours? I bought the M4 256GB and unfortunately opened the package. I purchased from Amazon with the great deals last week and have the receipt to prove it. I only opened the box and not the inside packaging. If yours is a 256 maybe we can work something out.

Hello!

I recently bought a new SSD for my ASUS Sabertooth 990fx (Desktop PC). But by mistake I purchased a Crucial m4 mSATA instead of the SATA version. The disk is meant to be my system disk.

1. Comparing mSATA to SATA, is there a noticeably difference in performance?

2. If I would buy a converter to SATA:
a) is it likely that I will run into problems regarding compatibility and drivers?
b) will there be a big loss in performance?

Thank you for your input!

 

[motilv]

The speed not be slowed down after switching, you can use this msata to sata case , can add your msata ssd to laptop or pc

 

[611]

mSATA is meant for installing a drive directly on board, with quite short link run and quality on-board 3.3V power supply.

When you're installing mSATA drive into some kind of adapter and connecting the adapter to MB with SATA cable, you're lengthening the link 5 to 10 times and adding two extra connectors (on both ends of SATA cable), not to mention questionable quality of 3.3V step-down power supply in the adapter. Add another connector (or two) in hot-swap enclosure, and you're ready to run into problems.

Recently I've experienced unstable link with Plextor PX-256M5M installed into Minerva ST963FD9 adapter which was inserted into Syba SY-MRA25023 mobile rack. Problems persisted both with on-board ICH10R SATA controller and PCIe LSI SAS 9210-8i HBA. Most probably I should blame the adapter, but I'm not sure about mobile rack too.

Though, in most cases mSATA drive installed into suitable adapter will work fine on desktop PC.