Difference Between PATA and SATA

PATA stands for Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment which is a bus interface used for connecting secondary storage devices like hard disks, optical drives. It was first introduced in the year 1986 by Western Digital and Compaq. It was later replaced by SATA.

SATA stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment is a bus interface that connects hard disks, optical drives. It was introduced in 2001 after PATA was slowly declining its demand by Serial ATA Working Group. SATA has more advantages than PATA making its demand more.

Below are some differences between PATA and SATA:

S.NO	PATA	SATA
1.	PATA stands for Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment.	SATA stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment.
2.	It is a 40 pin connector.	It is a 7 pin connector.
3.	It is high in cost.	It is cheaper in cost.
4.	The speed of data transfer is lower.	The speed of data transfer is higher.
5.	Power consumption is more.	Power consumption is less.
6.	The cable size is bigger.	The cable size is smaller.
7.	It doesn’t have the feature of hot swapping.	It has the feature of hot swapping.
8.	External hard drives cannot be used.	External hard drives can be used.