Abit WB6 User Manual page 28

2-16
The WB6 supports the Ultra ATA/66 (Also known as Ultra DMA/66) specification. It
enhances existing Ultra ATA/33 technology by increasing both performance and data
integrity. This new high-speed interface doubles the Ultra ATA/33 burst data transfer rate to
66.6 Mbytes/sec. The result is maximum disc performance using the current PCI local bus
environment. Figure 2-10 shows you the different between the Ultra ATA/33 and Ultra
ATA/66 Conductor Cable.
Figure 2-10. The difference between Ultra ATA/33 and Ultra ATA/66 Conductor Cables
Figure 2-11 shows you a photo of an Ultra ATA/66 Conductor Cable. An Ultra ATA/66-
capable cable is a 40-pin, 80-conductor cable with a black connector on one end, a blue
connector on the other end and a gray connector in the middle. In addition, line 34 on the
cable should be notched or cut (this may be difficult to see).
Figure 2-11. Photo of an
Ultra ATA/66 Conductor
There are four requirements for attaining Ultra ATA/66:
*The drive must support Ultra ATA/66.
WB6
Ultra ATA/66 is backwards compatible with all Ultra
ATA/33 systems, but it will be limited in its transfer mode
to the Ultra ATA/33 (Ultra DMA Mode 2 - 33 Mbytes/sec)
or PIO Mode 4 (16.6 Mbytes/sec). Ultra ATA/66 hard
drives are 100 percent backward compatible with both
Ultra ATA/33 and DMA and with existing ATA (IDE)
hard drives, CD-ROM drives, and host systems. The
Ultra ATA/66 protocol and commands are designed to be
compatible with existing ATA (IDE) devices and systems.
Although a new 40-pin, 80-conductor cable is required
for Ultra ATA/66, the chip set pin connector remains the
same at 40. Hard drives that support Ultra ATA/66 also
support Ultra ATA/33 and
specifications.
Chapter2
legacy ATA (IDE)