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

On 11/18/21 2:13 PM, Paul wrote:
> 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.

I don't need 2m but woud probably have one of those on hand too
 
> *******
> 
> 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
I'll keep an eye on it but again, I have to think not only of 
my desktop death-star but also of three laptops in the house 
only one of which is mine so a USB-2 floor value commonality 
option is a must like via additional cables/adapters. If I have to 
use cables then I migt as well go for eSata as I have more 
confidence in that connector by way of physical reliability. (I've 
had nothiong but bad experiences with just about every type of 
connector found on laptops from 1/8" audio to usb). 
 

> 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.
I've had to trim a mouse plug because of this port-footprint hogging :-)

> 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 :-)

I might just get me a mobile ssd rack into which I can insert stock 
internal ssd's directly just like that (regardless of the insertion limitations) 
but this would not work on my laptop without some sata>usb adaptor 
cable.