SATA Cables

Short for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, SATA is a connector interface used for computer bus connections, connecting a host bus adapter to a mass storage device such as a hard disk drive, SSD or optical drive. Prior to SATA cables, PATA (Parallel ATA) technology was used to connect devices, though SATA cords offer faster transfer and smaller connectors. SATA cables are suitable for hot plugging where the drive and operating system allow it, so a SATA cable for HDD or SSD can be swapped without a reboot.

SATA cables can also be power split to enable connection of one port to two devices. You can learn more in our complete guide to SATA cables.

RS Australia supplies SATA cables from brands including RS PRO and StarTech.com, covering SATA data cable, SATA power cable and extended-length variants for PC builds, server racks, and storage upgrades.

Types of SATA Cables

RS Australia stocks SATA cables across five main types, so builders and procurement teams can pick the connector shape, length, and signal rating that matches the drive on each end. A SATA data cable uses a 7-pin SATA connector, while a SATA power cable uses a 15-pin SATA power connector, so the two cables are not interchangeable even though they often run side by side inside a case.

SATA Data Cables

SATA data cables carry drive-to-controller traffic over a 7-pin SATA connector, with revisions rated at 1.5 Gbit/s (SATA I), 3 Gbit/s (SATA II) and 6 Gbit/s (SATA III). Cables are backwards compatible, so a SATA III cable will run a SATA II drive at SATA II speeds. Length is typically up to one metre, which keeps signal integrity inside a standard PC chassis.

SATA Power Cables

SATA power cables deliver 3.3V, 5V, and 12V to the drive through a 15-pin SATA power connector, drawing power from the PSU through either a Molex-to-SATA adapter or a dedicated PSU rail. These cables are specific to SATA drives and sit alongside the data cable in a complete install, so builders usually stock both types in matching quantities.

SATA Power Splitter Cables

SATA power splitter cables fan out a single PSU power lead into two or more drives, which saves PSU cable headroom in cases running multiple drives. The SATA plug on each branch delivers the same voltage as the single input, so splitter capacity is bounded by the PSU rail rather than the splitter itself.

eSATA Cables

eSATA cables carry the SATA signal outside the case for external drive enclosures and backup storage, with a tougher connector designed for repeated plug-in cycles. The protocol runs at full SATA speeds without USB-bridge overhead, so an eSATA drive performs more like an internal drive than a conventional external USB enclosure.

Right-Angle & Latching SATA Cables

Right-angle and latching SATA cables deal with tight builds and vibration-prone installs, where a straight cable fouls other components or works loose over time. The right-angle head drops the cable flat against the drive or motherboard, while the latching clip holds the cable in place through shocks that would otherwise unseat it.

Applications of SATA Cables

SATA cables are able to connect to a variety of devices, sitting inside everything from a single PC build through to a rack of enterprise storage. Each application calls for a different combination of data cable, power cable, and connector type, with a SATA cable for hard drive, SSD, or optical reader doing day-to-day work in both consumer and trade contexts.

Hard Disk Drives

Hard disk drives use a SATA data and power cable pair to connect to the motherboard and PSU, with SATA III (6 Gbit/s) comfortably exceeding the sustained transfer speed of any mechanical drive. A SATA cable for HDD works just as well with 2.5-inch laptop drives and 3.5-inch desktop drives, since both sizes use the same connector.

Solid State Drives

2.5-inch solid state drives use the same SATA connectors as hard drives, but can actually reach the full 6 Gbit/s SATA III cap, so cable rating matters here more than it does with mechanical drives. A good quality cable keeps SSD performance up to spec, where a worn or low-quality one can cap transfer rates below the drive's capability.

Optical Drives

Optical drives (DVD and Blu-ray readers and burners) connect over SATA like any other drive, with data rates well within SATA I territory. The connection is still useful for workstation users reading legacy media and for archival storage, with modern optical drives using the same SATA cable types as internal hard disks.

PC Builds & Upgrades

PC builders stock SATA cables alongside the drives they install, since even a motherboard that ships with cables rarely includes enough for a multi-drive build. For other PC peripheral connections such as external SSDs, printers, and controllers, pair with the RS Australia USB cables range.

Servers & NAS Storage

Server and NAS enclosures use SATA at the drive bay level, with hot-swap backplanes carrying both data and power behind a single edge connector. For higher-end storage where SAS and SCSI protocols are used, see the SCSI cables range. SATA drives often share the same chassis for bulk capacity alongside the enterprise-grade drives.

Shop SATA Cables at RS Australia

RS Australia is a trusted supplier and distributor of SATA cables, carrying stock from brands such as RS PRO, StarTech.com, and Molex across data cables, power cables, splitters, eSATA, and right-angle variants.

Procurement teams can round out a build order with complementary USB cables, SCSI cables, and internal connectors from the wider computer cables range. Orders can be placed online or by phone, and buyers can buy SATA cable options in single units or multi-pack project quantities, with price varying by brand, length, and revision. Enjoy free delivery on orders above $60 (excluding GST) made with an approved business account, with next working day delivery if the order is placed before 5pm AEST Monday to Friday.

For full delivery terms, options, and fees, visit the RS Australia delivery page.