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    Difference between EIDE and SATA?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by doogieduff, Jul 29, 2006.

  1. doogieduff

    doogieduff Newbie

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    Is there a difference between a hard drive that is EIDE or SATA?
     
  2. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    Yes, there is a difference. EIDE, tops out at 133 MB/s transfer rate, while SATA is 150 MB/s. Laptops, however, may not transfer data at the full rate, because of slow hard drives.
     
  3. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    The big difference is the interface between the Hard Drive and the computer. The drives (platters and spindles) are the same on IDE and SATA. But the way they attach to and communicate with the computer is different. IDE drives has an interface that uses pins, while SATA use a thin ribbon-like connection. IDE supports up to 133mbs, while SATA supports up to 150mbs (and 300mps with SATA2).

    SATA is a newer technology that uses less (very minisule) power and offers more (very minisule) speed.
     
  4. Jalf

    Jalf Comrade Santa

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    In other words, don't worry about it, unless you're buying a HD separately. And then, just make sure you buy one that uses the same interface as your computer.

    Zero: A desktop system can't transfer at that speed either. A 7200 RPM drive peaks at around 70MB/s, or half of what the IDE interface can handle.
     
  5. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    I was refering to the OP's position, as he has posted in a laptop section. But you are quite right, desktop's don't have high transfer rate either.