SATA and Molex power cables

SATA and Molex power cables connect drives, fans and other internal devices to a PC power supply. The category covers power cables and adapters between SATA and Molex connectors, for new builds, repairs and upgrades of older computers. DELOCK, INLINE, GEMBIRD and STARTECH have the most products here.

How to choose a SATA or Molex power cable

Connector type. The SATA power connector is flat with 15 pins and is used by current SSDs, hard drives and optical drives. Molex is larger with four pins and is common on older devices, fan controllers and some cooling accessories. Check which connectors are free on your power supply and which one the device needs.

Direction of adapter. A Molex to SATA adapter helps when the power supply has run out of SATA connectors. A SATA to Molex cable is useful for powering a fan or an older device. Molex has no 3.3 V line, but ordinary drives do not need it.

Length. Many cables in our range are short, from 0.06 m to 0.4 m, including 0.15 m and 0.3 m versions. A short adapter suits a device mounted next to the power supply or an existing connector. If the cable has to cross the whole case, measure the distance and allow a few centimetres of slack.

Build quality and load. Thicker wires and firmly crimped contacts run cooler, which matters when several hard drives share one line. A hard drive draws more current for a moment when it spins up, so avoid loading a single cable more than necessary.

Colour and appearance. Our range includes multicolour, red and black cables. This matters mainly if your case has a transparent side panel and you want a tidy interior.

Brands you will find here

• DELOCK: maker of a very large catalogue of computer cables, adapters and connectors, so it often covers less common connector combinations.
• INLINE: a supplier known in the German market for computer cables, adapters and accessories.
• GEMBIRD: produces computer cables, adapters and peripherals, which makes it a handy source for spare or extra cables.
• STARTECH: a Canadian company focused on connectivity solutions for professional IT use.
• CORSAIR, NANOXIA: CORSAIR is known for power supplies and their modular cables, NANOXIA for PC cases, cooling accessories and sleeved extension cables.
• LENOVO, SUPERMICRO: cables from these manufacturers are often meant for their own desktops, workstations and servers, so check compatibility with your model before buying.

Also in our range: RENKFORCE, ROLINE, SHIVERPEAKS and EXERTIS CONNECT.

Frequently asked questions

Can I connect a SATA drive to a Molex connector?

Yes, with a Molex to SATA adapter. It supplies 5 V and 12 V, which is enough for most SSDs and hard drives. You still need a separate SATA data cable to connect the drive to the motherboard.

Can a SATA power cable carry data?

No, power and data cables are different. The power connector is wide with 15 pins, while the data connector is narrower with 7 pins. A drive normally needs both.

What length of power cable do I need?

Choose the length by the distance from the power supply or a free connector to the device. A short cable such as 0.15 m or 0.3 m is enough for a device right next to the connector. If the cable has to cross the case, pick a longer one and leave some slack.

Are Molex to SATA adapters safe to use?

Yes, as long as the wires are of adequate thickness and the connectors are firmly attached. Poorly made adapters with thin wires can overheat, especially when several drives share one line. For several drives, it is better to use the SATA connectors on the power supply directly.