Key features and benefits - SATA 3.0 compatibility with backward support - Compliant with the Serial ATA 3.0 specification - Backwards compatible with SATA 2.0 and SATA 1.0 - Enables use of a wide range of SATA drives including older HDDs and newer SSDs without changing drives - PCIe compatibility across generations - Compatible with PCI-Express v2.0 - Backwards compatible with PCI-Express v1.0 - Works with a broad set of PCIe slots across systems - Flexible data transfer speeds - Supports SATA signaling speeds of 6.0 Gbps, 3.0 Gbps and 1.5 Gbps - Suitable for different drive types and performance requirements - Wide PCIe generation coverage - Supports Gen 1i, Gen 1x, Gen 2i, Gen 2m, Gen 2x and Gen 3i - Ensures operation across diverse motherboard configurations and slot types Practical use scenarios - Desktop upgrade and expansion - Install in a PC to add SATA connectivity for SSDs or HDDs - Leverages SATA III speeds where supported, while remaining compatible with older drives - Server or workstation storage expansion - Add SATA capacity to a server or workstation that uses PCIe slots - Useful for storage arrays, backups, or multimedia libraries while maintaining compatibility with existing SATA devices - Legacy system retrofits - Use in older systems with PCIe 1.x or 2.x slots to access modern SATA drives - Extends hardware life without motherboard replacement Why this matters - Simplifies storage upgrades by supporting both new and old SATA drives - Provides broad compatibility across PCIe generations, protecting existing investments - Delivers flexible performance by supporting the full range of SATA speeds while accommodating various PCIe configurations Notes - Function, compatibility, and performance are the primary attributes emphasized - No assumptions about form factor, size, or materials beyond what is specified - Descriptions align with the original specifications and intended use without adding extraneous details