Length and End Type of SATA Data Cables for HP EliteDesk 800 G1 SFF

[Rock-Music]

I have just ordered a Renewed (Refurbished) HP EliteDesk 800 G1 SMALL FORM FACTOR (SFF) that is in transit (don't have it yet).

The PC comes with one 500GB 3.5" HDD in Drive Location #1 (*see below).

I want to add a SSD in Drive location #2 and possibly a second 3.5" HDD in location #3

I want to order SATA Data Cables to add SSD and HDD drives to the system so I'll have them in time for the Desktops arrivel.

*There are Three (3) locations for Hard Drives.  If the Case is on its side, the locations are as follows:

Drive Location #1)  The Primary Drive at the Top Right of the Case (3.5") (Just below the Cover)

Drive Location #2)  Just Below Drive #1 (2.5" SSD)

Drive Location #3)  Top Left of the Case, just Below the Slim DVD Drive (3.5") (Where the Card Reader is Optionally Mounted)

QUESTIONS:

1)  What SATA cable LENGTH is "ideal" for each of the Locations?

(obviously they need to be long enough to comfortably reach the HDD/SSD drive ends and motherboard connection points, but not so long as to "bunch up" and take up unnecessary space and block air flow)

2)  What SATA cable ENDS are best for each of the three locations?

(Straight on both ends?, Right Angle one end, Straight end the other?  "Right Angle on both ends? Left Angle?)

3) Does each of the three drive locations need different lengths and/or Ends?   

For example, would a SSD in Drive location #2 "Ideally" use a different cable Length and End than for drive location #2?)

In a nutshell, I'm just trying to get the right Variety/combination of cables for the cleanest installion.

Any help be greatly appreciated. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I recommend that once you get the PC, you open it up and determine what you need based on the illustrated parts list.

There are only 2 lengths of SATA HDD cables. 

You can probably use a soft tape measure (used by seamstresses) to figure out what length you need where.

Below is the link to the illustrated parts map.  It lists the lengths and end types.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03812595

[Rock-Music]

Paul:

Thanks for replying.

I was trying to order the cables before the PC arrived so I wouldn't have to "delay" the upgrade waiting for cables to be shipped after the computer was delivered (Of course I'm impatient!:) :).

Your measuring idea is a good one.  That is exactly what I would have done if I had the PC already in front of me.

You are correct there are only 2 SATA cables listed for HDD in the HP "Illustrated Parts and Service Map" .pdf document you provide a link for.................However, there are actually three (3) potential Hard Drive Bays (two internal plus the optional third bay that sometimes is equipped with a Media Card Reader).

To see the Three (3) Drive locations plus the Optical Drive location, Go to page 72 of the HP 

Hardware Reference Guide HP EliteDesk 800 G1:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c0380318

Before my original post, I had already downloaded the HP "Illustrated Parts and Service Map" .pdf document.................But, the cables listed in it was confusing to me.

According to this HP document, there are three (3) SATA Cables listed/available:

1)  Hard drive SATA cable, 14 inch, 1 straight end, 1 angled end (HP Part Number 

732753-001)

 (I'm GUESSING this is the cable connected to the 3.5" drive labeled number 2 on page 72 of the Hardware Reference Guide)

2)  Optical drive SATA cable, 19.5 inch, 2 straight ends (HP Part Number 

638813-00)

(Obviously, this is for the Slim Optical DVD/CD drive, labeled number 1 on page 72 of the Hardware Reference Guide)

3)  SATA cable, 25.2 inch, 1 straight end, 1 angled end (HP Part Number 

638814-001)

(Im GUESSING this is for the 2.5"/SSD Drive,  labeled" number 4 on page 72 of the Hardware Reference Guide

* By the way,  there is no mention of a cable for use if you choose to use the 3.5" drive labeled number 3 on page 72 of the Hardware Reference Guide

So why did the HP documentation confuse me?  

Because it didn't make sense to me that the that the Primary 3.5" Drive and the 2.5" Drive locations wouldn't use the SAME length cables considering the drive locations are literally stacked on top of each other and the Motherboard Connections are right next to one another.  

So why is the cable for the 3.5" drive 11.2" longer (25.2"-14.0"=11.2") than the one for the 2.5" drive??? 

..........anyway, I guess I'm going to have to wait until I receive the computer and measure it myself.

If anyone has actually installed a SSD in location number 4 or 3.5" HDD in location number 3, maybe they can comment on what cables they recommend as "ideal".