Redirected from: SATA III

Definition: SATA

(Serial ATA) A standard hardware interface for connecting storage and CD/DVD drives to the computer. Introduced in 2001, many new computers still employ SATA. However, servers and high-end workstations may use SCSI (see serial attached SCSI), and solid state drives (SSDs) increasingly employ the NVMe interface (see NVMe). See hardware interface.

SATA, PATA and IDE
SATA is the faster serial version of the earlier parallel ATA (PATA) interface. Both SATA and PATA are "integrated drive electronics" (IDE) devices, which means the controller is in the drive, and only a simple circuit is required on the motherboard. See IDE, mSATA and SATA Express.


   SATA                 Data Transfer
  Version         Year   (MB/sec)

   1.0  I          2001     150
   2.0  II, 3G     2004     300
   3.0  III, 6G    2009     600
   3.2  Express    2013     600
   3.3             2016     600
   3.4             2018     600
   3.5             2020     600
   3.5a            2021     600

SATA and PATA Sockets

SATA sockets are much smaller than their PATA counterpart. When SATA came out, transition motherboards (bottom) supported both interfaces.

Even in 2025

Computers still use the SATA interface, witness this set of specs for a Lenovo tower computer.

SATA and PATA Cables

PC builders were happy to say goodbye to cumbersome PATA cables, which took up lots of room inside a desktop case.

External eSATA Drives

Some computers have eSATA ports for external SATA drives. The hybrid port (right) supports both SATA and USB devices (see eSATA USB Hybrid Port).

External eSATAp Drive

This external eSATA drive is opened up to show both data and power interfaces. The "p" in eSATAp drives means power is derived from the eSATA port and not a separate AC outlet.

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Redirected from: SATA III

Definition: SATA