Question about hard drive connector

Hey guys, hope you can help me out with this one: I recently got a 30 GB Kingston SSD Hard drive and I want to install it into my laptop (Dell Inspiron 1720)

As you can see, the Dell Insprion 1720 has two compartments for Hard drives



One is currently being filled up by my Seagate 160 GB Serial ATA. The thing is, I noticed it's head is different than most laptop hard drives.


So it looks like I need this connector adapter for my Kingston SSD HD correct? Otherwise I can't plug it in, I found a better pic here:


I want to know where can I get this adapter and what is the proper name/item number for it. Thanks.

 

I've ordered from these guys before and can vouch for them being legit.

http://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=5330

Also on e-bay for $10

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-1420-1720-1721-SATA-HD-Interposer-Connector-XK231-/270586184767?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0031843f#ht_500wt_928

 

Ah thanks, one thing I want to clarify is that these connectors are suppose to be for SATA drives, will there be any complications if this is on an SSD HD?

 

The adapters is SATA to IDE, I think, so you might take a performance hit.

 

They are SATA to SATA bridges. They are intended for connecting to a right angle SATA slot on the mainboard. A lot of notebooks have them.

 

Yes, and they do not have a performance hit or in anyway intended. In Dell they're called interposers. It's a must have for your 1720 if you plan to install a new harddrive onto it. There are people who have and SSD in their 1720; generally a notebook with dual HDD bays a good strategy is to install the OS into the SSD, the secondary large volume harddrive as a storage for your documents.

You can purchase them on ebay as well.

The part numbers are extremely important if you plan to order any Dell component.

HDD Caddy - Dell Part Number C7586
HDD Interposer - Dell Part Number XK231

 

Does anyone know why Dell uses these? The only thing I can think of is for better stability in case of a drop or something. Well that, and the fact that they can make more money on parts

 

Because the notebook motherboard is generally considered flat, thus these SATA connectors are built onto the motherboard and comes vertically in their designs. The harddrive as noted, is always designed with a horizontal connection. This interposer is needed to connect them together in a 90 degree fashion.

Not all of Dell laptops have the same design however. One of them being the M1730, which uses a stack system, a caddy that houses the 2 hardddives vertically instead, connected with a cable.

 

Thanks for the info, I bought both the Caddy and the Interposer for $15