Serial ATA Power Cable

Does anybody know what the extra wire is for on the Serial ATA power
cable? I've seen adapters for the standard 12 volt connectors, which
convert them to the SATA form factor, but they do not have this extra
wire. Also, some drives come with both connectors. I figure there must
be a good reason for the change in design, otherwise they wouldn't have
done it. I just don't know that reason :-).

Thanks in advance,

Sean

"Fao, Sean" -WANT-NO-SPAM wrote in message
...
Does anybody know what the extra wire is for on the Serial ATA power
cable? I've seen adapters for the standard 12 volt connectors, which
convert them to the SATA form factor, but they do not have this extra
wire. Also, some drives come with both connectors. I figure there must
be a good reason for the change in design, otherwise they wouldn't have
done it. I just don't know that reason :-).


The extra wire is for 3.3V power supply. It will in future power the drive's
electronics leading to reduction of power consumption.

Alien Zord wrote:
"Fao, Sean" -WANT-NO-SPAM wrote in message
...

Does anybody know what the extra wire is for on the Serial ATA power
cable? I've seen adapters for the standard 12 volt connectors, which
convert them to the SATA form factor, but they do not have this extra
wire. Also, some drives come with both connectors. I figure there must
be a good reason for the change in design, otherwise they wouldn't have
done it. I just don't know that reason :-).


The extra wire is for 3.3V power supply. It will in future power the drive's
electronics leading to reduction of power consumption.


With all other computer parts requiring less and less energy, that would
make a lot of sense.

Thanks for clearing that up for me,

Sean