SAS and NVMe cables connect drives in servers, workstations and PCs to a motherboard, RAID controller or HBA card. Our range includes Mini-SAS cables with SFF-8087 and SFF-8643 connectors, SlimSAS cables with SFF-8654, and cables with SATA connectors. Products come from DELOCK, INLINE, KOLINK and SUPERMICRO, among others.
How to choose a SAS or NVMe cable
Connector type. Both ends of the cable must match the connectors on the controller and on the drive or drive backplane. SFF-8087 is the older Mini-SAS connector, SFF-8643 is the smaller Mini-SAS HD, and SFF-8654 (SlimSAS) appears on newer server boards, including for NVMe drives. Our range covers all of these, along with cables using SFF-8088 and SFF-8644.
Cable layout. A straight cable joins two Mini-SAS connectors, for example a controller and a backplane. A breakout cable splits one Mini-SAS connector into four separate drives: our range includes versions with 4 x SATA connectors and with 4 x SFF-8482 connectors plus power plugs for SAS drives.
Length. Most cables in our range are 0.5 m or 1 m, though lengths run from 0.15 m to 3 m. Measure the real route around other components rather than a straight line. A cable that is too long obstructs airflow in the case, and one that is too short strains the connector.
Connector gender and speed. Many of our cables are male at both ends (Male/Male), because controllers and drives usually have sockets. Also check which SAS standard the cable is made for: a 12 Gb/s controller needs a cable rated accordingly.
Brands you will find
- DELOCK and INLINE: two German-known suppliers of computer cables, adapters and connectors, which is why their offer covers many different connector combinations.
- KOLINK: best known for PC cases and power supplies.
- SUPERMICRO: a maker of servers and server motherboards, with cables made for its own platforms and drive backplanes.
- INTEL: a manufacturer of server boards and controllers, so its cables suit matching Intel hardware.
- BROADCOM and MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY: both make SAS HBA and RAID controllers (Broadcom through LSI, Microchip through Adaptec), so it pays to choose cables by the controller's connectors.
- HP ENTERPRISE: a server manufacturer whose cables are meant for its own server models.
- STARTECH: known for data connectors, adapters and other connectivity accessories.
Also in our range: FANTEC, STORESYS and AKASA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SFF-8643 and SFF-8087?
SFF-8087 is the older Mini-SAS connector, while SFF-8643 is the smaller Mini-SAS HD connector used on newer controllers. They are physically incompatible, so choose according to the socket on your controller or board. Both normally carry four lanes through a single cable.
Can I connect SATA drives to a SAS controller?
Yes, SAS controllers generally work with SATA drives as well. A breakout cable from one Mini-SAS connector to 4 x SATA does the job. It does not work the other way round: SAS drives cannot be connected to an ordinary SATA port.
How do I choose the right SAS cable length?
Measure the cable route from the controller to the drive and add a small margin. In desktop and workstation cases 0.5 m or 1 m is usually enough, while larger server chassis may need 2 m or 3 m. An overly long cable clutters the case and hampers cooling.
Does an SFF-8654 cable work with NVMe drives?
SFF-8654 (SlimSAS) is used for NVMe drives in servers, but SAS cables can use it too. Check which protocol the cable is made for and what connector is on the other end. Also confirm that your board or backplane supports NVMe through that connector.
