Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
An unused motherboard SATA port can let you add an internal SATA SSD or hard drive without replacing the board. Before buying anything, confirm the port is enabled, your case has a suitable mount, and your power supply has a free SATA power connector. The option may cost less than an alternative for your needs, but there is no basis for promising that it will save everyone hundreds.
What an unused SATA port can do
SATA ports connect compatible internal SATA drives, including 2.5-inch SSDs and 3.5-inch hard drives. A SATA drive needs two connections: a SATA data cable from the drive to the motherboard and a separate SATA power cable from the power supply. See MSI’s storage installation guide for the connection steps.
How many ports a board has depends on its exact model. For example, MSI lists eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports on the PRO B550M WIFI6E, while ASRock lists six on the B550M Pro4. Those are model-specific examples, not a guarantee about other boards. Check your own board’s specifications and manual.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Check whether the port is actually available
A port that looks free may be disabled when a particular M.2 socket is populated. The rules vary by motherboard. For instance, MSI’s MEG Z590 ACE documentation says installing a drive in M2_2 disables SATA2, while populating M2_3 disables SATA5 and SATA6. Consult the manual for your exact motherboard model and revision; its storage or lane-sharing table should identify any conflicts. MSI also recommends checking model-specific compatibility information.
#1 Best Overall
- Store more, compute faster, and do it confidently with the proven reliability of BarraCuda internal hard drives
- Build a power house gaming computer or desktop setup with a variety of capacities and form factors
- The go to SATA hard drive solution for nearly every PC application from music to video to photo editing to PC gaming. Ax. Sustained transfer rate OD: 190MB/s
- Confidently rely on internal hard drive technology backed by 20 years of innovation
- Frustration Free Packaging - This is just an anti-static bag. No cables, no box.
Choose the right storage interface for the job
Do not treat M.2 and SATA as interchangeable names. M.2 describes a drive’s form factor; an M.2 drive can use SATA or PCIe, and the motherboard socket must support the drive’s protocol. Kingston explains the need to match the M.2 drive to the socket in its M.2 compatibility guide.
Common SATA 3.0 supports a maximum data-transfer rate of up to 6 Gbit/s, according to Intel’s motherboard buying guide. That is an interface ceiling, not a promise of sustained real-world drive throughput. PCIe offers higher bandwidth, but whether that matters depends on your workload and the cost of the specific drive. Compare usable capacity, current local prices, workload-relevant performance, free ports after any lane-sharing, case space, and power connections before choosing.
Rank #2
- 1TB Capacity, 9.5mm High, Rotation Speed of 5400RPM
- 8MB Buffer, SATA 3.0Gb/s Interface, 2.5inch Hard Drive
- Works for PS3 / PS4 Game Console HDD replacement / upgrade
- PS3 / PS4 Hard Drive installation & Playstation firmware download instruction included
- Backed by a 3-year warranty from Reseller
Install a SATA drive
- Identify the board. Find its exact model and revision, then check the manual for SATA ports and any M.2 lane-sharing restrictions.
- Confirm the drive and space. Make sure the drive is a SATA model and that the case has a suitable mount for its size.
- Check power and data connections. Confirm the power supply has an unused SATA power connector. Connect the drive to that power lead and use a SATA data cable to connect it to an available motherboard port.
- Check detection. If the drive does not appear, recheck both cables and port availability. MSI’s troubleshooting guidance recommends checking whether the drive appears in BIOS and then in the operating system’s disk management utility.
What “save hundreds” really depends on
Using an existing SATA port avoids replacing a motherboard just to gain a connection, but whether it saves money depends on the alternative you would otherwise buy and current local prices. There is no general price comparison that establishes a typical saving of hundreds. Compare actual drives and alternatives at the capacity you need, and weigh the price against the performance and physical-connection requirements that matter for your use.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
- IronWolf internal hard drives are the ideal solution for up to 8-bay, multi-user NAS environments craving powerhouse performance
- Store more and work faster with a NAS-optimized hard drive providing ultra-high capacity up to 16TB and cache of up to 256MB
- Purpose built for NAS enclosures, IronWolf delivers less wear and tear, little to no noise/vibration, no lags or down time, increased file-sharing performance, and much more
- Easily monitor the health of drives using the integrated IronWolf Health Management system and enjoy long-term reliability with 1M hours MTBF
- Three-year limited warranty protection plan included and three year Rescue Data Recovery Services included
Rank #4
- Store more, compute faster, and do it confidently with the proven reliability of BarraCuda internal hard drives
- Build a powerhouse gaming computer or desktop setup with a variety of capacities and form factors
- The go to SATA hard drive solution for nearly every PC application from music to video to photo editing to PC gaming
- Confidently rely on internal hard drive technology backed by 20 years of innovation; Max sustained transfer rate OD(MB/s): 190 MB/s
- Migrate and clone data from old drives with ease using our free Seagate DiscWizard software tool
Rank #3
- 1TB Capacity
- 8MB Buffer, SATA 3.0Gb/s Interface, 2.5inch Laptop Hard Drive
- 9.5mm High, Rotation Speed of 5400RPM
- Works for any brand SATA Interface Laptop, Macbook, Notebook, USB Enclosure and etc
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
