Seagate Serial ATA HD Review

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The Parallel ATA (IDE as most of us know it) interface has been around for almost 20 years, and while it has been vastly improved, it is quickly reaching it's limits. The data transfer speeds for PATA (Parallel ATA) are having a tough time keeping up with the recent explosion in the increasing speeds of the other components inside your computer. Enter Serial ATA 1.0. While the initial offering will not be the "Great White Hope", it is definitely a step in the right direction. Seagate has long been known to offer quality drives, while not always the fastest, they are very reliable and extremely quiet. Today we have the Seagate ST3120023AS 120GB SATA drive.

Serial ATA 1.0 looks to be taking off where PATA is hitting the wall. Initial specs for SATA 1.0 are maximum external transfer rates of 150MB/second, where currently PATA is at 133MB/second (ATA133). While we don't expect to see huge increases in speed/transfer with the initial offering, SATA is expected to be rolled out in three phases, SATA 1.0, SATA II, Phase 1 and SATA II, Phase 2. The first release, which we are looking at today, is the bridge between PATA and SATA. The designers definitely were looking ahead when they implemented SATA. The next phase is expected to expand on the original framework by providing hot swappability, and more specific specifications for use in network storage and server applications. The final phase of SATA II will introduce data transfer speeds of 300MB/second, and have more improvements for high-end networked storage and servers.

*The major benefits initially of SATA are improved reliability with the improved CRC (cyclical redundancy checking) error detection, point to point connectivity (each controller handles only one device), thinner cables (to improve airflow and clutter inside your case), and a smaller signal count (allows for shorting routing of the traces on the motherboard). Also, SATA uses a single signal path to transmit data serially (bit by bit) on two wire differential pair. The SATA cables virtually eliminate cross talk that has plagued PATA cables. SATA embeds the strobe signal using embedded clocking that provides continuous synchronization between the source and receiver. Finally SATA maintains backwards compatibility with PATA through software, and runs at a voltage of 0.25V.

(*referenced from CPU Mag Dec 2002 issue, SATA whitepaper article by Kyle Schurman)

Seagate's Barracuda ATA V with Serial ATA Interface leverages the mechanics of the industry's quietest 7200 rpm desktop drive. The Barracuda ATA V offers 80GB and 120GB capacities with an 8MB cache for mainstream, high performance PCs, and entry-level servers. The product features all FDB motors, superior reliability and the next generation interface - Serial ATA. The SATA Barracuda includes Seagate's exclusive 3D Defense System and a one-year limited warranty.

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SPECIFICATIONS

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Here is the drive itself. The only visible difference from an IDE drive is the backplane that now accepts the SATA cable and new power connector. One of the specifications for SATA is the backplane specs. They will be the same size/placement on 3.5" and 2.5" drives that will help save on manufacturing costs.

The ST3120023AS uses an 8MB cache to enhance performance. Combined with the 2 60GB platters and 4 Heads to utilize the full 120GB of space on the platters. On paper, it seems to be a winning combination, but let's hold off until we see the results.

 

The connector to the left is power and to the right is data.

 

Power and data cables.

 

Power cable is keyed to fit only one way.

 

Data cable is keyed to fit only one way.

 

Next: Features and Performance >>
 

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