What is SAS vs SATA?

Welcome Delta Sigma Pi

  • Accessibility
  • Sales:

    Home:

    1-800-426-7235

    Business:

    1-866-426-0911

    Chat Now >

    Visit Sales Support Page >


    Order Support:

    Order Lookup >

    Visit Order Support Page >

    Technical Support >

Lenovo
All
  • All
  • Laptops
  • Desktops
  • Workstations
  • Monitors
  • PC Accessories & Electronics
  • Tablets
  • Servers & Storage
  • Servers Accessories
  • Sign In / Create Account
    My Lenovo Account
    Keep track of your wishlist, orders, and rewards all in one place
    Sign In / Create Account
    Welcome Back!
    Access your order, subscriptions, saved carts, rewards balance, and profile
    View My Account
    Orders
    View & track your orders
    Rewards
    Earn & redeem Rewards
    Profile
    Edit name, password, and account settings
    Wishlist
    Manage a wishlist of your favorite products
    Products
    Manage your devices, accessories
    Product Registration
    Register your product and/or update your warranty dates
    Sign Out
  • My Lenovo Rewards
  • Cart
  • Products
  • Solutions
  • Services
  • Support
  • About Lenovo
  • Deals
  • Student
  • Gaming
  • Laptops
  • Desktops
  • Workstations
  • Accessories
  • Software
  • Monitors
  • Tablets
  • Servers & Storage
  • Home & Office
  • AI
  • Deals
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
DISCONTINUED
Temporary Unavailable
Cooming Soon!
. Additional units will be charged at the non-eCoupon price. Purchase additional now
We're sorry, the maximum quantity you are able to buy at this amazing eCoupon price is
Sign in or Create an Account to Save Your Cart!
Sign in or Create an Account to Join Rewards
View Cart
Remove
Your cart is empty! Don’t miss out on the latest products and savings — find your next favorite laptop, PC, or accessory today.
item(s) in cart
Some items in your cart are no longer available. Please visit cart for more details.
has been deleted
Please review your cart as items have changed.
of
Contains Add-ons
Subtotal
Proceed to Checkout
Yes
No
Popular Searches
What are you looking for today ?
Trending
Recent Searches
Items
All
Cancel
Top Suggestions
View All >
Starting at
  • Labor Day! Celebrate hard work with limited-time Doorbusters + Buy more, Save more! Shop Now >

  • My Lenovo Rewards! Earn 3%-9% in rewards and get free expedited delivery on select products. Join for Free >

  • Lease-to-own today with Katapult. Get started with an initial lease payment as low as $1! *** Learn More >

  • Buy online, pick up select products at Best Buy. Shop Pick Up >

Home > Glossary > What is SAS vs SATA?
Glossary Hero
Learn More
StarStar

Annual Sale

Lenovo Laptop SaleLenovo Laptop Sale

Laptop Deals

Desktop DealsDesktop Deals

Desktop Deals

Workstation DealsWorkstation Deals

Workstation Deals

StoreStore

Pick Up Today at Best Buy

ControllerController

Gaming PC & Accessory Deals

MouseMouse

PC Accessories & Electronics Deals

MonitorMonitor

Monitor Deals

Tablet and phoneTablet and phone

Tablets & Phones Deals

ServerServer

Server & Storage Deals

Discount tagDiscount tag

Clearance Sale


What is SAS vs SATA?

SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) and SATA (Serial ATA) are two common types of computer data storage interfaces that have both similarities and differences. SAS is a traditional hard disk interface used in enterprise-level servers, while SATA is a form of direct attached storage commonly used in consumer storage solutions such as desktop computers.

Why would someone choose SAS over SATA?

The main difference between SAS and SATA is speed. SAS drives are capable of much faster transfer speeds than their SATA counterparts, up to 6Gb/s, whereas the maximum speed you can expect from a SATA drive is 3Gb/s. This means that if you need your data to move quickly between servers or systems, you should use SAS-enabled disks rather than traditional hard drives which use the SATA bridge connector.

Another difference between the two concerns hot swapping with SAS, devices can be swapped out without ever needing to power down the server, making them ideal for environments where data redundancy needs to be maintained at all times such as businesses running 24/7 operations. On the other hand, this feature isn’t available on SATA devices so any upgrades must be done manually and with the system powered off entirely – definitely not an ideal situation for those who want quick access to their data.

What type of hardware uses SAS and what type of hardware uses SATA?

When it comes to computer hardware, there’s a good chance that most people will have heard of RAID arrays or hard drives being discussed in terms of being ‘SAS’ or ‘SATA’ enabled. This simply refers to the type of interface being used by the device itself; older server-grade machines might have ‘SCSI’ components installed into them whereas new models may have either ‘SAS’ or ‘SATA’ connections instead depending on their intended usage and specifications requirements. Put simply; SAS technology tends to be used in enterprise grade servers while consumer grade PCs usually come equipped with SATA connections instead due to their lower cost but slower speeds when compared against SAS linkups.

Are there any advantages to using one over the other?

The advantages depend largely on what sort of usage scenarios you plan on employing within your organisation or home setup; if you require near instantaneous access and need for high throughputs then opting for a ‘SAS’ solution may well be more appropriate given its significantly higher data speeds (6GBps vs 3GBps for a standard ‘SATA’ connection). However, if budget constraints mean that expenditure cannot stretch quite so far, then settling for something more modestly priced might prove justifiable - in which case going with a conventional ‘SATA’ hard drive would probably make more sense overall due to its much lower cost whilst being almost equally suitable when it comes tackling everyday workloads such as web browsing or gaming etc.

Does either format offer better reliability than others?

Both formats can offer reliable performance; but which one offers better long-term durability in your particular environment depends heavily on multiple factors such as how often they are accessed (how many IOPS they are exposed to) amongst other things too numerous to mention here today. That said though; generally speaking, most commercial grade hard drives using either interface should perform equally well over extended periods provided normal wear andf tear does not take place - something which monitoring software actively keeps track off so that preventive maintenance routines can be triggered whenever necessary to prevent premature hardware failure occurring unexpectedly thus providing optimal performance day in day out regardless of Formfactor requirement.

Are there any considerations I should keep in mind when choosing between these formats?

When choosing between these formats there are few key considerations which should be taken into account before making your final decision: Cost – how much money do you plan on spending upfront for purchasing high quality equipment? Reliability – how likely are you to suffer from reduced performance levels due to frequently OPS Spikes during peak hours affecting HDDs longevity adversely over time? Compatibility – will your OS even support equipment fitted with SCSI/SAS interfaces natively without requiring extra effort.

Is there anything I need to consider if my computer only has one port that supports either format?

If your computer only has one port which supports either format, then you will need to consider what your primary usage scenarios are going to be for this machine so that you can correctly decide which format will best suit your needs as well as ensure that you have enough bandwidth to drive all relevant appliances as well as having an optimized network architecture in place so that you achieve.

How does the size of hard drives compare between SAS and SATA?

Generally speaking, SAS-enabled hard drives tend to be slightly larger than their SATA counterparts. This is mainly because they are equipped with more powerful motors and a greater number of platters and read/write heads for faster data transfer speeds. However, this does mean that users will have to make sure their server-grade equipment has enough space to house two or more SAS drives, something which may not always be possible depending on the server’s design. On the other hand; SATA drives usually offer more storage capacity (2TB vs 1TB) while still having the option of being significantly cheaper too - an advantage which could prove invaluable if cost factors need to be taken into account when making purchasing decisions.

Does SAS work better in certain environments than SATA?

For certain applications such as video editing or data warehousing operations, SAS is definitely superior to SATA due to its ability to provide faster access times and transfer rates. Additionally; due to its lack of limitations when it comes swapping out drives swiftly, hardware RAID arrays built using SAS links are far better suited for enterprise level businesses where redundancy is crucial than their slower but much less expensive consumer grade brethren operating on the older SATA interconnect links instead too.

Which type of drive should I choose for my gaming PC build - SAS or Sata?

For most gaming PC builds where budget constraints are present it would make sense to go for SSDs which use either PCIe or Sata interfaces since they offer ample speeds at reasonable prices. But if budget isn't an issue, then choosing a top-of-the-line NV.

Can I upgrade from SATA to SAS without replacing my entire system?

Whether you choose SAS or SATA depends on your specific needs and budget. Both interfaces offer unique advantages depending on your application's requirements. It's important to consider factors such as speed, reliability, cost, and compatibility when making your decision.

How does the physical size of SAS vs SATA affect their compatibility with devices?

SAS drives are typically larger than SATA drives, which can make them incompatible with smaller devices like laptops or tablets. Additionally, some motherboards may not have enough room to accommodate larger SAS drives.

Looking for a Great Deal?
Shop Lenovo.com for great deals on A+ Education PCs, Accessories, Bundles and more.
Shop Deals Now

  • ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition (15ʺ Intel) Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,127.97
    Learn More
  • Yoga Book 9i (13” Intel)
    Starting at
    $1,999.99
    Learn More
  • Legion 5i Gen 9 (16″ Intel) Gaming Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,560.48
    Learn More
  • Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14″ Intel) Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,396.49
    Learn More
  • ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 (16″ Intel) Mobile Workstation
    Starting at
    $1,668.42
    Learn More
  • Shop
    • Student Deals
    • K-12 Student Laptops
    • Student Accessories
    • Laptops by Major
    Education resource
    Explore
    • What is STEM?
    • Best Laptops for College
    • Student & Teacher Discounts
    • Lenovo Sustainability Programs
    Education carry case

    Stem Articles
    See All STEM Articles
    • Online STEM Education

    • STEM Career Tips & Resources

    • Women in STEM

    • STEM Educator Training

    • STEM Grants & Funding

    • STEM Education: Coding for Kids

    • STEM Education: Robotics

    • STEM Education: Biotechnology

    • STEM Education: Sustainability

    • STEM Education: AI & ML

    While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this glossary is provided for reference purposes only and may contain errors or inaccuracies. It serves as a general resource for understanding commonly used terms and concepts. For precise information or assistance regarding our products, we recommend visiting our dedicated support site, where our team is readily available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

    Why Lenovo?

    Go Greener with Leno...

    Lenovo is committed to Smarter Climate Action with lower energy laptops, use of sustainable materials and packaging, and available CO2 Offset Services.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Get It Now, Pay For ...

    Lenovo has multiple financing option: the Lenovo Credit Card, installment plans, and lease-to-own financing op...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Productivity & Peace of Mind

    Stay productive with Premium Care Plus - 24/7 priority support and coverage against accidental damage. Power through your day with our Smart Performance and extended battery solutions.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Fast & Secure

    Get the most from your laptop with Lenovo’s state-of-the-art Smart Performance, delivering powerful, all-in-on...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Assistance and Suppo...

    Chat with a trained professional who can help you find the right products, place or check on an order, or setup your Education laptop.
    Contact Us
    pastel background
    Enter email to receive Lenovo marketing and promotional emails. Review our Privacy Statement for more details.
    Please enter the correct email address!
    Email address is required
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Instagram
    Select Country / Region:
    Country
    AndroidIOS

    About Lenovo

    • Our Company
    • News
    • Investors Relations
    • Compliance
    • ESG
    • Product Recycling
    • Product Recalls
    • Executive Briefing Center
    • Lenovo Cares
    • Careers
    • Formula 1 Partnership

    Products & Services

    • Laptops & Ultrabooks
    • Smarter AI for You
    • Desktop Computers
    • Workstations
    • Gaming
    • Tablets
    • Servers, Storage, & Networking
    • Accessories & Software
    • Services & Warranty
    • Product FAQs
    • Outlet
    • Deals
    • Lenovo Coupons
    • Cloud Security Software
    • Windows 11 Upgrade

    Resources

    • Legion Gaming Community
    • Lenovo Creator Community
    • Lenovo Pro Community
    • Lenovo Pro for Business
    • My Lenovo Rewards
    • Lenovo Financing
    • Affiliate Program
    • Affinity Program
    • Employee Purchase Program
    • Lenovo Partner Hub
    • Laptop Buying Guide
    • Where to Buy
    • Glossary
    • Server Buying Guide

    Customer Support

    • Contact Us
    • Policy FAQs
    • Return Policy
    • Shipping Information
    • Order Lookup
    • Register a Product
    • Replacement Parts
    • Technical Support
    • Forums
    • Provide Feedback
    © 2025 Lenovo. All rights reserved.
    PrivacyCookie Consent ToolSite MapTerms of UseExternal Submission PolicySales terms and conditionsAnti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
    Compare  ()
    x
    Call

    Need Help? Call: 

    1-800-426-7235
    Select Your Store
    Add items to your cart?
    We've noticed that you've entered a different store. Do you want to add these items to your cart in this Store?
    No Yes.Add in Public Store
    Add items to your Lenovo Pro Store?
    We've noticed that you've entered a different store. Do you want to add these items to your cart in Lenovo Pro Store?
    No Yes.Add items in Lenovo Pro store.
    Add items to your Affinity Store?
    We've noticed that you've entered a different store. Do you want to add these items to your cart in Affinity Store?
    No Yes.Add items in Affinity store.
    Add items to your Education Store?
    We've noticed that you've entered a different store. Do you want to add these items to your cart in Education Store?
    No Yes.Add items in Education store.

    close_icon

    Sign up and receive up to $100
    off your next purchase.
    Click here for offer details
    Are you shopping for a business?

    No, Thanks

    Click here for offer details
    *Offer valid for new subscribers only. Not valid on previous purchases.
    Lenovo Privacy Policy
    Thanks for signing up!
    You should receive an email from us within the next 2 hours
    *Offer valid for new subscribers only. Not valid on previous purchases.
    Lenovo Privacy Policy
    An error occurred while submitting your request.
    Please try again later.