F.A.O. Raja@ASUS

My query is in relation to your current AMD-9xx motherboards, specifically the implementation of eSATAp. As a current owner of ASUS hardware, and a potential future customer, I would like some clarification on this feature and how it is implemented in ASUS hardware, specifically in the context of my findings outlined below.

To my understanding, eSATAp or Power eSATA combines both the SATA data and power connections into a single connector. Looking at the storage section within the specification for the M5A99X EVO motherboard, it states for the JMicron® JMB362 controller: “1 x Power eSATA 3Gb/s port(s), green; 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s port(s), red”. And in the overview section: “Power eSATA - The Power eSATA solution combines the eSATA connector and power source together, allowing you to use external SATA devices without the need of additional power source”.

This seems clear enough.

Recently, I purchased an eSATAp cable for my M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 motherboard – I am, of course, aware that this ‘board is based on an AMD 800 series chipset, however I feel that my findings have relevance not only to this product but also 900 series chipset products and, perhaps, future ASUS products.

Before purchasing the cable, I consulted the storage section of the specification in the user manual (ref. E5471 First Edition V1, April 2010) which states, for the JMicron® JMB361 PATA and SATA controller: “1 x Power eSATA 3.0 Gb/s port”. In the overview section for the motherboard on the ASUS UK website it states: “Power eSATA - The Power eSATA solution combines the eSATA connector and power source together, allowing users to use external SATA devices without the need of additional power source”. Having read both pieces of information, I felt confident that I could go ahead and purchase an eSATAp cable (not cheap) to connect my 3.5 inch HDD without issue.

As I write, I am unable to get the eSATAp functionality working on my M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 motherboard. I have tried altering the relevant BIOS settings and tried reinstalling the JMicron driver but to no avail. I have actually shone a torch into the eSATAp connector (coloured green) on the motherboard I/O panel but I could not see any electrical connectors that would indicate Power eSATA connectivity, i.e. the two tabs on the outside extremities appear to be absent. It would appear that the product documentation and marketing material (website) seem to be at odds with the product that has been supplied to me, and that is still available for sale, as far as I know.

I have raised the matter with ASUS Customer Service who, in the first instance, claimed they could not find the relevant user manual for the product, at the same time stating that the port in question was an “ESATA port rather than ESATAp port”, and in their second response – after I sought clarification – stated that: “It is a ordinary ESATA port without power pin. It is an (External Power) eSATA rather than External (Power eSATA). (External Power) eSATA: an ESATA port needs External Power.” Their second response is, presumably, in reference to the fact that the storage specification section for the M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 motherboard on the ASUS UK website states, for the JMicron® JMB361 PATA and SATA controller: “1 xExternal Power eSATA 3.0Gb/s port”. This is different to what is stated in the user manual and in the overview section of the website (see above), this being the information I based my purchase decision around.

In conclusion, I am left somewhat disappointed by the fact that there are conflicting specifications and marketing material for the product, and by the fact that my M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 motherboard apparently does not, after all, support eSATAp when it clearly states in the user manual and on the ASUS UK website that it does. How can this be accounted for? It comes across as a trade descriptions issue. Of equal concern is the fact that my confidence in ASUS products, product documentation, marketing material and customer service has been diminished by this experience. Is the Power eSATA implementation on the new AMD-9xx motherboards true eSATAp, and if so does it support only 5V devices or can it support 12V devices also?

I would appreciate your comments on this matter.

Regards


ASUS M4A89GTD Pro/USB3; AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 95W; 8GB Patriot Viper II Sector 5 DDR3 2250LLK; Crucial RealSSD C300 128GB; 2 x 1TB Western Digital WD1002FAEX SATA 6Gbps Caviar Black; 1TB Samsung F3 HD103SJ; Lite-On iHAS124; Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD; Noctua NH-D14; 1 x Arctic F12 PWM, 2 x Arctic F9 PWM; Edimax EN-9235TX-32; Corsair HX450; Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.