Adding eSATA ports to a PC.

[Digsy]

I would like to add at least one eSATA port to my home PC.

 

Is an eSATA port simply an internal SATA connection rouetd to the back of the PC - i.e. you just need an adapter cable linked to a backplate as per THIS.

 

...or is eSATA something completely different and therefore you need a proper eSATA controller, like THIS.

 

I have plenty of spare SATA connections on my motherboard, so I don't want to buy a controller card if a simple adapter will do.

 

Thanks!

 

*EDIT* I know that if I want the drive to be hot-swappable (which I do) then the simple adapter option will only work if my mobo supports hot swapping, so maybe that answers my own question: I will only need the full controller card if my mobo won't support the hot swap feature.

[Chris Wilson]

I think if you want to power an external, larger than laptop size hard drive down the same cable you need eSATAp ????

[Digsy]

My external drive supports USB and eSATA and has its own power supply, so its only the data side I am concerned with.

 

I checked by mobo manual last night and it says the on-board SATA ports support hot plugging, so I should be OK with just the cheapo adaptor cable / plate.