Mid-decade SATA data cable quality examination ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

[lexluthermiester]

Anyway, it made me curious. I dug into the SATA standard specs. It does briefly mention cables. As far as I can tell there were no changes in cable specs across SATA revisions.

There was one change in the early days of the SATA spec, but was very quickly resolved...

So the cable specs, unchanged at least between standard revisions 1.0a up to v3.1 (years 2003 to 2011), seem to be only:

...and I think this properly references that change.

People with SATA SSDs using SATA2 cables have performance issues.

No they don't. Cables made to the proper specifications are compatible with ALL versions of SATA signaling. Using a cable made in the SATA2(3Gbps) time frame will work perfectly with SATA3(6Gbps) and at full speed. Why? Because the manufacturing specifications for SATA cables did not change from SATA2 to SATA3. At all.

Stop spouting bad info!

 

[Assimilator]

TBH I've never had any issue with any SATA data cable I've ever used, except fro the time when I accidentally ripped the connector off one end without realising (lesson learned, if it's stuck don't just pull harder). They are an incredibly simple design that's also incredibly difficult to get wrong (NVIDIA could learn something here).

 

[Epaminombas]

No they don't. Cables made to the proper specifications are compatible with ALL versions of SATA signaling. Using a cable made in the SATA2(3Gbps) time frame will work perfectly with SATA3(6Gbps) and at full speed. Why? Because the manufacturing specifications for SATA cables did not change from SATA2 to SATA3. At all.

Stop spouting bad info!

SATA 1/2 cables were discontinued in 2008. That's why they're hard to find.

As of 2010, all motherboards came with SATA3 cables by default.

If there are old SATA 1 and 2 motherboard ports, why won't there be new SATA3 cables?

You're the one spreading misinformation, because you have no idea of the reality in which you live.

There are certified PCI 4.0 and 5.0 cable extenders
There are certified CAT6 and CAT8

But why weren't there SATA 1, 2 and 3 cables?

There are certified HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 cables too.

 

[A Computer Guy]

There are certified PCI 4.0 and 5.0 cable extenders
There are certified CAT6 and CAT8

But why weren't there SATA 1, 2 and 3 cables?

Many of my cables from the photo I provided have the mark of UL certification (

).

 

[nageme]

There was one change in the early days of the SATA spec, but was very quickly resolved...

What change was that?

the manufacturing specifications for SATA cables did not change from SATA2 to SATA3.

Apparently from SATA1 (or maybe specifically 1.0a).

There are certified PCI 4.0 and 5.0 cable extenders
There are certified CAT6 and CAT8

But why weren't there SATA 1, 2 and 3 cables?

PCIe data rates are higher, and more lanes. (By the way, are there any official standards for these extenders? I'm not sure, though not dismissing the possibility.)
Ethernet is external, supposed to work with interference, and much longer.

They are an incredibly simple design that's also incredibly difficult to get wrong (NVIDIA could learn something here).

It's not exactly comparable. Short low-voltage data cables for moderate data rates, versus delivering 600W of power.

 

[lexluthermiester]

What change was that?

IIRC, it had to do with the shielding around the point were the conductors meet the connector. It was a minor change. About 2004 I think?

Apparently from SATA1 (or maybe specifically 1.0a).

Yes, it was the original SATA cable spec. The conductors didn't change.

 

[A Computer Guy]

It's not exactly comparable. Short low-voltage data cables for moderate data rates, versus delivering 600W of power.

I think he is referring to the SATA latching mechanism. Some cables I have snap in without a latch and it's very easy to tell they are in all the way and a bit of force to get them out. Others have the metal or plastic tab and when those don't quite bend enough when squeezing them it's a real PITA to get them out. Either way there is not really any mistaking when you have inserted SATA correctly by the feel of it. Quite satisfying too.

 

[LabRat 891]

Cables made to the proper specifications are compatible with ALL versions of SATA signaling. Using a cable made in the SATA2(3Gbps) time frame will work perfectly with SATA3(6Gbps) and at full speed. Why? Because the manufacturing specifications for SATA cables did not change from SATA2 to SATA3. At all.

Considering,
I've seen ancient 75ohm coax installs used for MoCA cable and fibre high-speed internet
and
SATA cables are near-universally 100ohm Twin Twinaxial cabling

This seems sensible.

 

[nomdeplume]

This thread has become long-winded pretty quickly. Which tests do you mean?

This thread was intended to be a casual and conversational place to examine a mundane topic while I examined sources for them in my spare time. Relax.


Puget Systems published at least two tests including stripping wires to inspect their construction. I'm sure there were tons more as this was a topic of concern during introduction of SATA III.

SATA cables: Is there a difference?

With the release of SATA III 6GB/s, we have seen some confusion on the web regarding what SATA cables are supported. Today we will be addressing those concerns by testing multiple SATA 3Gb/s and SATA 6Gb/s cables to see if there are any performance differences.

www.pugetsystems.com

SATA 3Gb/s vs. 6Gb/s Cable Performance (Revisited)

Since the release of SATA 6GB/s, there has been some confusion regarding the necessity of using a specific SATA 6Gb/s cable for SATA 6Gb/s drives. We have addressed this in previous articles, but enough time has gone by that we wanted to take another look to see if anything has changed since we...

www.pugetsystems.com

 

[DaemonForce]

The only differences I've noticed on sata cables are the connectors themselves and a pinch in bandwidth.
First gen sata connectors will straight up ROT apart after 10 years like both of mine did.
Later connectors seem to pinch bandwidth to sata II speeds and all the newer ones are fine, locking tab or not.
There are decisive differences in the cable and connector constructions.

 

[LabRat 891]

This thread was intended to be a casual and conversational place to examine a mundane topic while I examined sources for them in my spare time. Relax.


Puget Systems published at least two tests including stripping wires to inspect their construction. I'm sure there were tons more as this was a topic of concern during introduction of SATA III.

SATA cables: Is there a difference?

With the release of SATA III 6GB/s, we have seen some confusion on the web regarding what SATA cables are supported. Today we will be addressing those concerns by testing multiple SATA 3Gb/s and SATA 6Gb/s cables to see if there are any performance differences.

www.pugetsystems.com

SATA 3Gb/s vs. 6Gb/s Cable Performance (Revisited)

Since the release of SATA 6GB/s, there has been some confusion regarding the necessity of using a specific SATA 6Gb/s cable for SATA 6Gb/s drives. We have addressed this in previous articles, but enough time has gone by that we wanted to take another look to see if anything has changed since we...

www.pugetsystems.com

From the revisited article

This is not to say that all cables are created equally, but rather that you cannot base the quality of the cable from the SATA revision it is supposed to be compatible with

The only differences I've noticed on sata cables are the connectors themselves and a pinch in bandwidth.
First gen sata connectors will straight up ROT apart after 10 years like both of mine did.
Later connectors seem to pinch bandwidth to sata II speeds and all the newer ones are fine, locking tab or not.
There are decisive differences in the cable and connector constructions.

Puget's conclusion(s) is consistent with your experience.
Crappy cables, perform crap-ily.
Decent cables, adhering to spec, work without (statistically relevant) hindrance.

 

[nomdeplume]

The only differences I've noticed on sata cables are the connectors themselves and a pinch in bandwidth.
First gen sata connectors will straight up ROT apart after 10 years like both of mine did.
Later connectors seem to pinch bandwidth to sata II speeds and all the newer ones are fine, locking tab or not.
There are decisive differences in the cable and connector constructions.

Vintage cables differing from ones made in modern era is a worthwhile comment. For the most part we referenced industrial level server cables that appear to be the mold all cables to come followed.

My indistinct feeling is new cables labeled SATA II probably exist due to a single entity large or important enough to have their labeling/design requirement fulfilled. There are enough examples of this with no impact on the general public to avoid overthinking it.