2007-03-03 11:43:23 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) is based on a 16 bit parallel interface and is generally used to control computer hard drives. Whereas, Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) is a single bit serial advancement of the Parallel ATA. SATA hard drives can easily be distinguished from ATA hard drives by the unique power and data connections used on the back of the hard drives.
When comparing ATA against SATA, SATA hard drives have performance benefits which set them apart from ATA hard drives. SATA drives are more suitable to install and draws less power. Another noted characteristic of SATA is the higher bandwidth that is possible. ATA hard drives offer the highest data transfer rate of 133 MB/second. While the SATA standard can provide data transfer of up to 150 MB/second.
They can not be interchanged...but you can have both in the computer...if your motherboard supports it..Check your BIOS...i use the SATA for my OS and the ATA for storage, on a Asus P5AD2-P motherboard
2007-03-03 11:52:42 · answer #1 · answered by Gerry Mac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SATA is the newer "Serial" ATA.
the data stream is totally different, the connections are totally different, they cannot be interchanged.
However, if you purchased an ATA and have SATA, there are adapters that SATA can drop back to the older ATA standards, but not the other way around
2007-03-03 11:50:28 · answer #2 · answered by BILL@CA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm i believe that one of them uses that big ugly ribbon thing to connect to the mother board, and the other one has a much simpler cable. but i can't remember which is which. they can be interchanged with an adapter.
2007-03-03 11:48:32 · answer #3 · answered by Tim C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋