Can I connect a SATA 3 cable to a SATA 2 connector, and through some hacks, receive SATA 3 performance?

Question

I was looking around for an SSD. I found some SATA 3 drives, at the same price as SATA 2 drives. My motherboard however, can't handle SATA 3. Is there any way I can connect SATA 3 drive and get full speed? Possible through some hacks.

One hack I was thinking is for example some controller that will take one SATA 3 cable, then splits it into two SATA 2 cables, so i can connect it to my motherboard.

Solution

You can use SATA3 drives on your SATA2 setup, but it will only run at 3Gbps.

If you want 6Gbps, you can buy a SATA3 6Gbps controller add-on card.

StarTech makes some, and I'm sure other's do as well.

Here's a NewEgg search for example.

Comments

[Theodore Murdock]

It's worth noting that the official SATA spec states and real world tests have shown that SATA 1 cables do not slow down SATA 6Gbps connections. SATA 3 compliant cables have the extra feature of snapping in when attached so the (already small) chance they'll fall out is further reduced.

[Simon Verbeke]

I know that is possible, but it's to expensive - unfortunately. I guess I'll just buy the faster one, so I can use it when I get a SATA 3 compatible mobo.

[Dennis]

@SimonVerbeke: Two 64 GB SSDs do not cost much more than one 128 GB SSD.

[Simon Verbeke]

And this works when the motherboard does not support SATA 3?

[kobaltz]

Have you looked into Z68 Motherboards? I'm getting SSD-Like speeds from a Raid 0 500GBx2 7200RPM with SSD Caching (Intel SRT) with a 128GB (64GB Cache).

[Simon Verbeke]

All AMD parts here :)

[Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007]

That's the point. :) Just make sure they offer drivers for your OS.