So, my new shiny SSD gets delivered as planned, and I go to install it. Only problem, when I open the PC, I've got a spare power cable, but no sata data cable! Probably off to spend an exorbitant amount in maplins now to get one - well, at the weekend anyway. Anything I need to know? Are they all sata 1/2/3 compatible or are there specific types I need to get/avoid?

A SATA cable is a SATA cable generally, so just get one that's a nice pretty colour with shiny, glittery connectors.

I'd check local independent computer shops/Home Bargains/Phone unlocking place before Maplin. Last time I needed a cable quick it was a Cat 5 - Maplin wanted £25 for a 20 meter cable, got a 20 meter one across the street for for less than half that price.

Cheers, I can afford to take my time now, suddenly realised I can nick the one that the DVD drive has, who needs a DVD drive nowadays anyway?!
Now installing windows 8...

I went and bought an sata dvd drive (non-burning), thinking it must be faster than my ide dvd burner. No! It's still slow as fuck. Bonus: I put the ide one into an external case and now I have 2 drives.

Argh, my product key is invalid - that's weird!

What speed was the IDE drive? And what speed is the new SATA drive?

I'd assumed a speedup due to a) new drive did not have a r/w head (which allegedly, is more massive and therefore sucks at seeking) and b) sata vs. pata.

But the bottleneck is probably just the media itself. Plus my mb only does sata 1x anyways.

So much for that.

But what are the rated "X" speeds of the drives?

I can't remember and it's not embossed on the trays like they used to be. ISTR they were about the fastest on the market for standard kit a couple of years ago.

edit: which is probably 16 or 18x.

He should get a 20m SATA cable imo.

Definitely.