SATA vs SAS - What is the difference?

In layman’s terms, SATA and SAS are two technologies that connect the server motherboard with the hard drives. SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) and SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) both are roughly the same things, these are interfaces used to do the same thing that is transferring data to and from hard drives, but each is built with different hardware.

Mini SAS HD (SFF-8643) to M.2 NVMe SSD & PCIe x4 Slot Adapter
Deciding between SATA and SAS is important when you want to choose the right storage infrastructure for a key project or even if you have a small business, understanding the difference is the key! So let’s examine what exactly is SATA and SAS? What are their hard drives or cables? Why are SATA and SAS needed anyway and is there any difference between the two?

1. SAS also is known as Serial Attached SCSI is better suited for use in servers or in processing- heavy computer workstations as it is faster. Though it is generally more expensive.

2. SATA also is known as Serial Advanced Technology Attachment is a next-generation computer bus interface from the parallel interface ATA which is better suited for desktop file storage and is less expensive.

To simply put, SAS-based hard drives are faster and more reliable than SATA hard drives but when it comes to storage there is a difference, SATA hard drives have much larger storage capacity. While SATA is mostly used in personal computing and SAS drives are used for servers. Here is what you need to know more:

Serial Attached SCSI or SAS for critical applications:


Abbreviated as SAS, these are actually the beefed-up version of a SCSI drive, a point to point peripheral interface in which the controllers are directly linked to disk drives. As SAS enables the use of multiple devices of different sizes and types, this drive is the better choice for enterprises dealing with heavy workloads and data. The devices are connected simultaneously with long and thin cables. Along with the advantage of usage in heavy workloads SAS drives have a higher transfer speed as well, it supports 3.0Gb/s and can be easily linked to SATA drives. These can also be bought in larger capacities, up to 600 GBs and they also maintain the speed of 10K and 15K RPM. These can be expensive but are typically used in important applications that require real-time access.

The SATA Hard Drive:


The very first point to note in a Serial ATA is the serial link which indicates that a single cable with a minimum of four wires can help to create a connection between the devices. In today’s market, the SATA interface is used in most desktops and computers. As these are used for personal purposes, these are going to be slower than SAS drives and can only go up to the speed of 7200 RPM. It extends the capabilities of ATA and the transfer rates begin at 150MB/s. However, if you are looking for a lot of room and don’t want to pay for the SAS-level speed, SATA hard drives can be your best bet. Another advantage of SATA is cables and connectors. When you choose it you don’t have to worry about the wires needed to transmit data. This interface reduces the number of wires and makes it easier for you to route and install SATA devices for much smaller cable size.

SATA vs SAS, the things you can take into consideration:


  1. If you need speed and transfer, SAS is better. 
  2. And if capacity is your main concern, SATA is a better option.
  3. When it comes to price, SATA is once again on the priority list of many buyers.

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