Is Serial ATA on current motherboards upgradeable?

I'm thinking about getting a MB with SATA. But I heard they
currently run just as fast the EIDE connections. So when
the supposedly faster, next generation SATA is available,
will I be able to take advantage of the higher speed using
today's MB?

"remeb" wrote in message
news
I'm thinking about getting a MB with SATA. But I heard they
currently run just as fast the EIDE connections. So when
the supposedly faster, next generation SATA is available,
will I be able to take advantage of the higher speed using
today's MB?


No. The current standard is 150MB/s, the next one will be 300MB/s.
However, the next generation of drives will (supposedly) be downward
compatible so you won't be stuck, you will be able to use them. I would
not bother waiting though, its at least another 2 years away.

I highly doubt they would be upgradeable. What you'd probably do, is buy
the PCI card and use that instead of the motherboards own connections.

~ Adrian ~

On Thu, 03 Jul 2003 15:58:40 GMT, "Adrian" wrote:

I highly doubt they would be upgradeable. What you'd probably do, is buy
the PCI card and use that instead of the motherboards own connections.

~ Adrian ~


True but there's a problem there too... buying a PCI card with the
latter SATA technology would most likely result in a slower drive than
continuing to use the onboard, current-gen SATA.


Dave

True but there's a problem there too... buying a PCI card with the
latter SATA technology would most likely result in a slower drive than
continuing to use the onboard, current-gen SATA.

Absolutely, of course. By then, you'd hope PCI-X slots will be out
mainstream.

~ Adrian ~