H55M-USB3 - Powered eSATA port

[AnOldGuy]

The H55M-USB3 has a native eSATA port.

In this review of H55/H57 motherboards (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/h55-h57-motherboard,2555-2.html) it describes the eSATA port on the back I/O panel of the H55M-USB3 as "powered" (compared to some other boards, which do have eSATA ports but are not described as 'powered').

This is a bit confusing to me. Can anyone please confirm whether the eSATA port is in fact bus-powered (and therefore that an additional power source is not necessary), or would an external SATA drive attached to the eSATA port still require a separate power source?

Thanks for any help.

[Dark Mantis]

I have checked all the documentation that I can find and nowhere does it state whether the socket is powered. Personally I think that you wouild need a seperate power source as well. I have a X58A-UD7 board and it comes supplied with a flying lead for the back panel ESATA connection but even that has a seperate power socket.

[AnOldGuy]

Thanks for your help Dark Mantis. I guess you're right about the need for a separate power source. (I'll be able to test it when I get the board!)

Thinking about it, it seems pointless having a native eSATA port that's unpowered - better to install Gigabyte's PCI eSATA bracket, since at least then you can connect it internally to the PSU, whereas an unpowered eSATA port doesn't have that facility.

Thanks again.

[Dark Mantis]

Your welcome and please come back and let us know the answer for sure when you get your board.