Re: External SATA ports instead of US(less)B?

On 11/18/2021 8:50 AM, bad sector wrote:
> On 11/18/21 12:05 AM, David W. Hodgins wrote:
>> On Wed, 17 Nov 2021 23:45:01 -0500, bad sector
>> <forgetski@postit_invalid_.gov> wrote:
>>> Just wondering, I can carry a SATA ssd in my pocket just as easily
>>> as a US(eless)B dongle and could get more capacity plus
>>> gigamultiples of speed (not to mention reliability issues). Do any
>>> MoBo makers do this yet?
>>
>> You're looking for https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA#eSATA
>>
>> My ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX MB purchased in 2012 has one eSATA external
>> connection.
> 
> My asus g73 laptop doesn't but I just see that my crosshair-IV
> mobo has two of them. One of the uses I'd have for it is the
> perpetual migration of files between the two as I'm on the
> laptop in the day and on the desktop in the evening. I don't
> wanna network them as that would require both to run at
> the same time and wouldn't work on the road at all.
> 
> What I had in mind were maybe a few deep recessed sata ports
> in computers into which one could half-insert ruggedized mobile
> ssd's built with that in mind, a bit like large usb drives but better
> held in a recessed port.

ESATA follows the SATA II standard.  SATA follows the SATA III standard.

That means ESATA is good for HDD rates, but may limit your SSD a bit.

ESATA traded cable length (2 meters max) for speed (300MB/sec max).
Internal SATA is 1 meter max and 600MB/sec speed.

*******

Right now, I can go to the store and get one of these (512GB USB version)
for $100 CDN. Around 1.5GB/sec class. Needs a new motherboard with a
USB-C connector on the back, at a minimum. There are two or three of
these in stock in town right now. (The store is out, on a ton of other
stuff, but they bought a box of these and gave some to each store.)

https://www.anandtech.com/show/17052/kingston-xs2000-portable-ssds-review-usb-32-gen-2x2-goes-mainstream

You could find an ASM3242 card with PCIe Rev3 x4 connector, like this,
if your motherboard doesn't have a USB-C. The Rev3 x4 gives 4GB bandwidth,
cut in half by system hub packet buffers, so is the right size for full
speed operation at 2GB/sec. I might have one card slot that will suit this well.

https://www.legitreviews.com/orico-usb-3-2-gen-2x2-20gbps-add-in-card-review_225233

One problem with USB-C connectors and packaging containers (faceplates),
is the faceplate thickness can prevent the USB-C from seating properly.
Peripherals with short extender cables, may or may not help with that.

And people have attempted to make storage devices with a "snout" on the
front, to solve the extender cable issue, but they really don't sell well :-)

     Paul