What is eSATA ready?

[Lagatta]

In reading the specs of most of the recently released 680i boards out there, most of them have "eSATA ready" listed on them. Anyone know what is needed to upgrade it to have full-fledged eSATA ports? I'd be kinda disappointed is I had to give up one of my SATA ports for that.

 

[jonnyGURU]

That means it comes with a SATA to eSATA bracket. A $3 part.

The eSATA bracket can then be used to transfer data to an eSATA device (HDD enclosure.)

 

[bamacre]

External sata drive. Portability of USB/Firewire, with the speed of an internal sata drive.

 

[HGC]

Is it possible to boot from an external SATA drive in an enclosure that's connected to a PC through eSATA?

 

[jonnyGURU]

Yes.

The only real difference between SATA and eSATA is the interface. The motherboard sees the drive as a regular SATA drive as if it's just sitting in the PC, plugged directly into the SATA connector.

 

[Old Hippie]

The only real difference between SATA and eSATA is the interface.

Let's not forget the insulated cable. Maybe that's why they cost an arm and a leg...or can you spell r-i-p-p-o-f-f?