Samsung SATA drives: True SATA?

[eldren]

I'm currently looking at getting a pair of 160GB Samsung harddrives (SP164N[pata] or SP164C[sata]). I'd go for the SATA versions, but only so long as it's true SATA; that is, not internal parallel-to-SATA conversion, as several manufacturers do (Last I heard, Seagate is the only manu to make true SATA drives). Any idea whether Samsung SATA hard drives are true SATA?

[unrealrocks]

Would that mean you could get some WD Raptors, tap them off at the PATA point and not lose speed?

[eldren]

If the Raptors use internal PATA to SATA conversion, then probably, yes. If you had the know-how, the technology, and the money to play with (read: abuse) expensive hardware, I don't see why it wouldn't be possible.

PS: I should probably add that "last I heard" was quite a long time ago.

[directhex]

Marvell 88i6522 PATA controller chip, plus Marvell SERDES bridge (88i8030) on the SATA models.



so now you know.

ta to HardwareZone.com for the info

[eldren]

PATA model it is, then. Thanks, DirectHex. Googled myself, but turned up nothing. :/

[SilentDeath]

why does it matter tbh...
sata drives will perform exactly the same..
current drives - inc raptors, are not even close to the ata133 limit, infact running tham on ata100 wouldnt make that much differnece...
maxtor drives are the best atm, though i havent used samsung so i cant comment on them. ones a 160gb sata, 120gb has a sata converter plugged in and the 40gb is on pata but is not going to b in my pc much longer

[eldren]

There's a $10 difference between the two models. As you said, there isn't much difference in speed, though the difference is greater with true SATA drives, if I'm not mistaken. *goes back to bed* -.-

[unrealrocks]

Being an editor for reviews on AMD3D ... Next year we're looking todo a full roundup of HDDs, this is sort of shaken it up a little as I never knew about interal PATA to SATA!

Does anyone know of the drives that are TRUE SATA?

[DR]

Surely you should know meaning working for a 'leading' site....

[unrealrocks]

Originally posted by David
Surely you should know meaning working for a 'leading' site....

TBH SATA has sort of passed me by as I didn't really see the point and I've never been given a drive to review, lol!

[directhex]

I think the Seagate Barracuda V was true SATA, all other drives use the Marvell SERDES

[Rythmic]

The raptors do not have a PATA-SATA bridge. I also can't find any bridge chips on my pair of OEM Seagate Barricudas.

Doesn't really matter anyway - the performance difference with bridges is so low that it's within the limits of error on every test I've seen done.

SATA doesn't provide any speed increase ATM (unless you're going for raptors) - it's main high point is the nice small cables.

[Slick]

Originally posted by Rythmic
SATA doesn't provide any speed increase ATM (unless you're going for raptors) - it's main high point is the nice small cables.

doesn't it also use less processor time?