I'm shopping for SATA to USB converters. It looks like most need AC power cable as well as the actual converter.
I know that his one leeches the power off the host computer but also has two usb plugs. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123312&cm_re=sata_to_usb--12-123-312--Product But it is also only for 2.5" drives, I need 3.5"
Now it looks like this cable is supplies only the converter, and you have to buy the power cable separate, correct?http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-IDE-SATA-5-25-S-ATA-2-5-3-5-Adapter-Cable-/180631892643?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0e7ff2a3
Ideally I'd like a cable that only has one usb and no AC power cable. Is there any like that?
Answer
USB can provide 5V and 0.5A on a single connection, for a total of 2.5W. Consumer 3.5" hard drives draw around 7 or 8 watts while idle, with a little variation around that number depending on the specific drive. That suggests that a single USB port simply cannot power a SATA hard drive on its own, and all available 3.5" hard drive enclosures bear that out.
Some 2.5" drives, however, can be powered out of a single USB port.
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