OEM SATA HD or retail.

[elkinm]

I need some big drives for storage and upgrading and I need SATA for new systems.

OEMs are cheaper, but they don't have the SATA cable and any additional documentation.

The question is do good SATA motherboards come with all the cables I could need, or could I buy good ones for cheap, or is the retail package worth it and better for other reasons?

Thanks

 

[WobbleWobble]

OEM you may also get longer warranties. Yes, most (if not all) SATA motherboards come with SATA data cables. Some may also come with a 4-pin molex to SATA power adapter if your PSU doesn't have the connector.

I realize that some SATA HDDs have both the traditional power connector and the SATA one. But those seem to be dropping away as manufacturers update their HDD families.

 

[Ayah]

Most popular m/bs nowadays come with a large array of cables, including sata data cables.
Personally, I buy OEM.

 

[tooltime]

i try to buy oem for any component i can

 

[KeithTalent]

My OEM Seagate had no cables, but my mobo came with a whack of them so no worries.

If you don't have any cables around then just make sure the difference in savings between the retail and OEM will more than cover the cost of buying cables.

 

[NuAlphaMan]

I can't remember the last time I bought a HD that came with cables. They come with the mobos. Go OEM and save a few $$$$

 

[corkyg]

Seagate OEM and retial warranties are now the same - 5 years. Cables are all over the place, and can be obtained anywhere - even locally. I always buy OEM HDDs.