Which type of bus is used to connect hard disk drives with the motherboard?

The SATA bus, which stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, is the correct type of bus used to connect hard disk drives with the motherboard. SATA technology replaced the older PATA (Parallel ATA) standard because it provides several advantages, including faster data transfer rates, a more straightforward cabling system, and better overall performance.

The SATA interface allows for individual connections between devices and the motherboard, contributing to improved airflow within the computer case due to its thinner cables. Additionally, SATA supports hot swapping, enabling users to replace or add drives without needing to shut down the system.

The other types of buses mentioned do not serve this purpose. USB (Universal Serial Bus) is primarily used for connecting peripheral devices rather than internal storage drives. PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) is used for connecting expansion cards to the motherboard, like graphics cards or network cards. PATA, while once a standard for connecting drives, has largely been phased out in favor of SATA due to its limitations in speed and design. This makes SATA the most common and suitable choice for connecting hard disk drives.