Molex to Sata cables

[Tyrannosaur]

I've used up all my SATA power cables on my Corsair CX430 PSU and could do with 1 or 2 more for extra HDDs. Are the 1x Molex to multiple x SATA cables a good bet? Do they provide enough power off 1 molex for this? I know long term a more suitable PSU will be the best option, but money wise it's £5 verses £50+. Oh and I should say I don't run a graphics card so overall power shouldn't be an issue I don't think.

Thanks for any help.

[peterb]

Yes. They are fine. I run a couple of SATA drives off one Molex connector. The connectors themselves are more than capable of handling the current, and the PSU should handle it OK.

[Tyrannosaur]

Thanks peterb.

[watercooled]

A word of warning though, avoid cheapo cables from eBay etc as they've caused some serious problems for me (drives appearing to fail for example). You'd think it would be hard to get something so simple wrong, but they somehow managed it.

In my experience Startech stuff from Amazon seems to be OK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Molex-to-2-S.../dp/B0002GRUV4

[BlueScream]

The startech cables seem cheap enough to be well worth getting, thanks for that, have been meaning to get some of those cables myself and will plump for them now.

[watercooled]

I started a thread on the subject a few years back if you're interested: http://forums.hexus.net/pc-hardware-...pc-cables.html

[peterb]

Im very wary about stuff that may have safety implications fro Ebay - too many fake items. Id rather pay more from a reputable supplier - improves the chance of actually getting whayt you pay for, and a more reliable path for redress if it doesn't come up to spec.

The power connections are distributed over a number of 'pins' in a SATA power connector. I wonder if the cheap knock off ones don't use them all, so the pins that are used fail through over current? Never had a problem with the Startech gear though.

[watercooled]

I wouldn't put it past them if it cuts costs and vaguely works.

[Tyrannosaur]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've been looking at some good quality BitFenix 20cm Molex to 4x SATA which are fully sleeved or a Phobya molex to 2x SATA which are also sleeved.

Sorry only a newb so can't post links yet.

[peterb]

I wouldn't put it past them if it cuts costs and vaguely works.

Yes, but they are branded, and widely sold, so if there is a problem, it would eventually be discovered. And buying it from a (r)retailer in this country does give some protection if they faulty.

[watercooled]

I meant the random rubbish from ebay BTW, in response to:

I wonder if the cheap knock off ones don't use them all, so the pins that are used fail through over current?

[peterb]

Ah - my bad - sorry!

[Tropheus]

+1 for Startech cables they are really good also "cables to go" are worth looking at

[Tyrannosaur]

I ended up getting a cheap startech one. Working well and doing it's job so far.

Thanks to all for the advice.