🛠️ Used SAS Cable Buying Guide: Avoiding Pitfalls | A Value-for-Money Choice for Junk Buyers
Attention all server enthusiasts, NAS builders, and those tinkering with used hard drive enclosures! 👋
Recently, I wanted to connect some SAS hard drives to my HBA card at home, only to find that a brand new Amphenol SAS cable costs over a hundred yuan?!
I turned to scavenging—used, salvaged SAS cables were everywhere, only 10 or 20 yuan a handful.
But! The used SAS cable market is truly treacherous 💦 I've encountered problems like the cable not being recognized, slow speeds causing drive drops, and broken clips…
Today I've compiled a guide to avoiding common pitfalls and recommending cost-effective models for used SAS cables. I hope it will be helpful for those of you who enjoy tinkering with computers! 👇
⚠️ Four Key Points to Avoid Pitfalls (Must Read Before Buying)
1️⃣ Don't Get the Interface Wrong
SFF-8087 (Older built-in)
SFF-8643 (12Gbps mainstream)
SFF-8482 (Direct connection to hard drives)
Be sure to take photos of your card and backplate before buying!
2️⃣ Longer isn't always better
0.5m is suitable for most tower/4U models. Longer cables are harder to bend and can damage the connectors.
3️⃣ Check the cable gauge: 28AWG is better than 30AWG. Cables with "28AWG Shielded" printed on the sheath are more stable, especially when exceeding 1 meter.
4️⃣ New appearance ≠ good inside Check if the cable has deep marks or sharp bends from cable ties. After receiving the cable, gently squeeze it by hand; if possible, run an fIO test on a machine.
💰 Three High-Performance Used SAS Cables Recommended
🔹 Amphenol SFF-8087 to SFF-8482 1-to-4 Split
→ Direct connection to HBA for 4 hard drives (no backplate)
→ Used: 15-25 RMB
🔹 Molex SFF-8643 to SFF-8639 (U.2)
→ Connect to 12Gbps HBA for U.2 SSD
→ Used: 30-50 RMB, solid build quality but the cable is a bit stiff
🔹 Foxconn SFF-8087 to SFF-8087
→ Connect to a case with a backplate
→ Used: 8-12 RMB, excellent value, recommended length ≤ 0.8m
✅ Three Must-Do Verifications Upon Receiving the Cables:
Visually inspect the pins + plug and unplug three times (do the latches spring back normally?)
First connect one SATA drive. Check if the mechanical hard drive can be recognized.
Run a 10-minute continuous read/write test and check the system logs for link errors.
One last honest truth: Buying used SAS cables saves money, but it requires a discerning eye.
Avoid the pitfalls mentioned above, and you can buy a stable and reliable cable for just over ten dollars.
Feel free to discuss any questions in the comments section. I'm still on my scavenging journey 🤝
