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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Most HP desktops use the standard 15-pin SATA power connector at the drive. It supplies 3.3 V, 5 V and 12 V. However, some HP small-form-factor and OEM systems use a proprietary 4-pin or 6-pin motherboard-side harness, so the connector on the motherboard may not accept a normal SATA plug. Check the exact HP product number before buying a cable or changing any wiring.
The standard HP SATA power connector
HP’s Implementing Serial ATA on HP Business Desktops states that “The SATA power connector is a 15-pin connector.” A compatible power supply must provide 12 V, 5 V and 3.3 V rails.
| Pin group | Function |
|---|---|
| P1–P3 | 3.3 V |
| P4–P6 | Ground |
| P7–P9 | 5 V |
| P10 | Ground |
| P11 | Typically reserved or staggered-spin-up signal, depending on the implementation |
| P12 | Ground |
| P13–P15 | 12 V |
This is the wide, keyed plug normally found on a desktop power supply and on 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives. The plug is designed to mate with the drive’s SATA power socket; do not force it if the keying or width does not match.
SATA power and SATA data are different cables
SATA power is the 15-pin connector described above. SATA data is a separate, much narrower seven-pin cable that carries storage data between the drive and the motherboard or storage backplane. One cable cannot replace the other.
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- 1. The SATA Power Splitter Cable: This high-quality cable is designed to split one 15 Pin SATA connector into six separate SATA power connectors, allowing you to easily connect multiple HDD, SSD, and Optical Drives to your system. With this cable, you can efficiently power up to 6 devices simultaneously.
- 2. Wide Compatibility: This 15 Pin SATA to 6 SATA Power Splitter Cable is compatible with various devices such as HDD, SSD, and Optical Drives. Whether you need to power up your storage drives or optical devices, this cable has got you covered.
- 3. Reliable Performance: Our SATA Power Splitter Cable ensures stable power transmission, preventing any interruption in the performance of your connected devices. It effectively delivers power to each individual device, ensuring optimal functionality.
- 4. Easy Installation: With its user-friendly design, this cable allows for easy installation. Simply connect the 15 Pin SATA end to your power supply and plug in the six SATA connectors to your devices. No additional tools or expertise required.
- 5. Durable Construction: Made with high-quality materials, this SATA Power Splitter Cable is built to last. Its sturdy construction ensures long-lasting durability, making it a reliable choice for your power supply needs. Don't settle for anything less than the best quality when it comes to powering your devices.
- Use a 15-pin SATA power lead for electrical power.
- Use a seven-pin SATA data cable for the drive-to-motherboard data connection.
- A drive normally needs both connections unless it is attached through a specialized backplane or adapter.
Why some HP motherboards have 4-pin or 6-pin connectors
HP’s business and small-form-factor systems are not all wired like standard retail ATX computers. Some models route drive power through a proprietary 4-pin or 6-pin motherboard header and then use an HP-specific harness to produce a SATA power plug for the drive. The motherboard-side connector can look similar to another model’s connector while using a different pinout.
Connector shape alone does not prove compatibility. A 4-pin or 6-pin HP header is not automatically a standard peripheral-power connector, and plugging in a generic cable can place a voltage on the wrong pin and damage the drive, motherboard or power supply.
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- Flexible SATA Power Cable for Internal Drive Connection: This SATA to Molex cable connects modern Serial ATA HDDs and optical drives to a legacy SATA power supply with 4 pin Molex LP4 ports. A reliable 4 pin Molex to SATA power cable solution for upgrading older PC systems while maintaining stable SATA power delivery.
- 6 Inch SATA Power Cable for Clean Internal Cable Management: Compact 6 inch SATA power cable design provides the ideal length for internal routing. This hdd power cable reduces clutter inside PC cases while ensuring efficient connection between SATA devices and Molex-based power supply units.
- Cost-Effective 3 Pack SATA Power Adapter Set: Includes three SATA power connector adapter cables, providing spare or replacement options for system builds and repairs. Perfect SATA power cable kit for DIY builders, IT technicians, and multi-drive computer installations.
- Ideal Upgrade Solution for Legacy Power Supply Systems: This 4 pin to SATA power cable allows you to reuse older PSUs with Molex outputs as a SATA power supply for modern SATA HDDs, SSDs, and optical drives—eliminating the need to replace a fully functional power unit.
- Stable Compatibility for SATA HDD and Optical Drives: Designed for safe and reliable operation with 5V SATA devices powered by 12V ATX systems. Compatible with common hardware setups including SATA HDDs, SSDs, and DVD drives using a SATA power connector through Molex LP4 input.
How to identify the correct cable for your HP
- Find the HP product number (and, if possible, the serial number) on the case label, BIOS setup screen or Windows System Information.
- Go to HP Support, enter the serial number, product number or product name, and open the Manuals section.
- Open the system’s current Maintenance and Service Guide. Look for the SATA cable, drive installation or system-board connector diagram.
- Compare the motherboard-side connector, keying, cable routing and listed spare-part number with the cable in your computer.
- Confirm that the other end matches the drive: standard 15-pin SATA power for a normal SATA drive, or the model-specific plug used by an HP backplane or harness.
HP’s service documentation is the authoritative source for the model-specific harness. Cable part numbers and availability can change, so verify the guide for your exact product before ordering.
Which cable should you buy?
| Your system arrangement | Appropriate cable | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Power supply has a standard SATA power plug and the drive has a standard SATA power socket | Standard 15-pin SATA power cable or extension | Use only a correctly rated, keyed cable; do not mix modular PSU cables from different brands or models. |
| Motherboard has an HP proprietary 6-pin header | HP model-specific 6-pin-to-SATA power harness | Match the exact HP model and documented spare-part number and pinout. |
| Motherboard has an HP proprietary 4-pin header | HP model-specific 4-pin SATA power harness | Do not substitute a generic 4-pin lead based only on appearance. |
| Drive is missing its data connection | Seven-pin SATA data cable | This adds data connectivity; it does not supply power. |
Can you use a normal SATA plug in an HP motherboard connector?
Use a normal 15-pin SATA plug only when the cable is coming from a standard SATA-capable power supply and the destination is a standard SATA power socket on the drive or backplane. If the plug would connect directly to a 4-pin or 6-pin HP motherboard header, do not use it unless HP’s service documentation explicitly identifies that adapter and its pinout.
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- 1. The SATA Power Splitter Cable: This high-quality cable is designed to split one 15 Pin SATA connector into two separate SATA power connectors, allowing you to easily connect multiple HDD, SSD, and Optical Drives to your system. With this cable.
- 2. Wide Compatibility: This 15 Pin SATA to 2 SATA Power Splitter Cable is compatible with various devices such as HDD, SSD, and Optical Drives. Whether you need to power up your storage drives or optical devices, this cable has got you covered.
- 3. Reliable Performance: Our SATA Power Splitter Cable ensures stable power transmission, preventing any interruption in the performance of your connected devices. It effectively delivers power to each individual device, ensuring optimal functionality.
- 4. Easy Installation: With its user-friendly design, this cable allows for easy installation. Simply connect the 15 Pin SATA end to your power supply and plug in the two SATA connectors to your devices. No additional tools or expertise required.
- 5. Durable Construction: Made with high-quality materials, this SATA Power Splitter Cable is built to last. Its sturdy construction ensures long-lasting durability, making it a reliable choice for your power supply needs. Don't settle for anything less than the best quality when it comes to powering your devices.
Do not repin an unknown harness, cut and splice wires, or rely on wire colors. HP systems can vary by generation, chassis and installed storage options, and an apparently identical connector may carry different voltages.
Before powering a replacement drive
- Shut the computer down, unplug AC power and use appropriate electrostatic-discharge precautions.
- Check that the drive’s power socket and the cable’s keying align without force.
- Verify that the cable is power-only or a combined backplane harness as described by HP.
- Ensure the drive is also connected to a compatible SATA data path, unless the system uses a documented backplane.
- After installation, check BIOS/UEFI and the operating system for the drive; absence there can indicate a data-cable, power or mounting problem.
Bottom line for “HP SATA power connector?”
The usual drive-side answer is a 15-pin SATA power connector carrying 3.3 V, 5 V and 12 V, with a separate seven-pin data cable. The exception is an HP desktop whose motherboard exposes a proprietary 4-pin or 6-pin header. For that arrangement, buy only the harness specified for the exact HP product number and never assume that a generic connector or pinout is safe.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Premium SATA power extension cable featuring 18 AWG oxygen-free copper construction and bare copper braided shielding, ensuring maximum durability and reliable performance for your computer components
- 15 Pin SATA power connector designed to extend the connection between host power supply and SATA devices, providing flexible cable management solutions for your PC setup
- Professional-grade male to female SATA cable with secure lock connector mechanism prevents accidental disconnections during operation, ensuring stable power delivery
- Universal compatibility with all SSD, hard drives, optical drives and PCIe Express devices equipped with 15 Pin SATA connector, making it a versatile solution for system builders
- Complete 3 pack cable kit includes three 10-inch black SATA cables, perfect for multiple drive installations or keeping spares for future upgrades
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