Side by side

Mini-SAS HD vs OCuLink

Mini-SAS HD and OCuLink are different connector families used in high-speed internal links. Physical resemblance is not evidence of mating or protocol compatibility.

Computer-generated illustration, not a photograph. — P238 · ConnectorMini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connector

How they differ

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connector Use the smaller high-density internal connector form and SFF-8643 documentation to distinguish it from SFF-8087.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector family Verify the OCuLink/SFF designation on both ends and distinguish it from SlimSAS and Mini-SAS families before selecting a cable.

At a glance

Source-scoped form facts; counts, variants and unknowns are distinct
Field	Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connector	OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector family
Type	Connector	Connector
Family	Storage	Storage
Shape	rectangular	rectangular
Nominal contacts	36S241Source-backed nominal position count: 36.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Positions / cavity span	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Contact rows	Not recordedNo qualified value remains for this contact/body field. Source context is retained in variant_notes; no value inferred from artwork or names.	2S242Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. Named series only, not every family part: Molex Nano-Pitch I/O system. Dimensions are family-page configuration example with no exactpart suffix; root should retain that scope and not imply every4/8lane variant has this size.; 12mm mated connector+cable assembly height excluded from standalone geometry. Latch option is not proof of universal mating polarization.
Connector role	socket (G40H3132212HR)S258Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. G40H3132212HR. Documented role: socket. Exact verticalSMT1x1part,36contacts. Tail length is termination geometry, not front-face size.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Key distinction	Mini-SAS HD is a different connector generation/form from legacy Mini-SAS even when both are used for SAS links.	OCuLink identity does not establish PCIe generation, lane count, bifurcation support or device compatibility.

Full evidence ledger and sources ↓

Illustrations are computer-generated with prior AI visual review; independent technical and rights review pending. A comparison is not a compatibility verdict.

This comparison stays within one evidence layer.

All selected records are Connector records. Similar layer does not mean compatible, interchangeable or safe to mate.

Families represented: Storage

The reference ledger

Read the same question across.

2 selected records · 13 fields
No score. No compatibility verdict.

On a narrow screen, scroll the table sideways or open the field-by-field reading view below. Illustrations are not a size comparison.

Comparison of selected field notes; source links accompany each documented specification
What you are comparing	P238 / ConnectorMini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connector Identification schematic · not to scale · drawing review pending	P240 / ConnectorOCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector family Identification schematic · not to scale · drawing review pending
Layer	Connector	Connector
Key distinction	Mini-SAS HD is a different connector generation/form from legacy Mini-SAS even when both are used for SAS links.	OCuLink identity does not establish PCIe generation, lane count, bifurcation support or device compatibility.
Nominal contacts	36S241Source-backed nominal position count: 36.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Positions / cavity span	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Populated contacts	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Contact rows	Not recordedNo qualified value remains for this contact/body field. Source context is retained in variant_notes; no value inferred from artwork or names.	2S242Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. Named series only, not every family part: Molex Nano-Pitch I/O system. Dimensions are family-page configuration example with no exactpart suffix; root should retain that scope and not imply every4/8lane variant has this size.; 12mm mated connector+cable assembly height excluded from standalone geometry. Latch option is not proof of universal mating polarization.
Contact pitch	0.75 mm Explicit internal receptacle contact pitch (TE internal Mini-SAS HD series)S937Qualified exact source facts only; counterpart, mounting-acceptance, cable, port, termination and assembly context remains separately labelled in variant_notes. Named TE internal Mini-SAS HD manufacturer series only, not every family part; SFF-8643 internal receptacle/cable system. Page2 is separate from external SFF-8644 page6 and its part variants.	0.5 mm X-direction interstitial contact-grid step, not uniform spacing within a row (Named Molex NanoPitch 173162/171982/171983 families)S989 · S990 · S991Current primary-source scoped values; named examples remain separate and unknowns are not inferred from illustrations. Named Molex NanoPitch series 173162/171982/171983 only, not every OCuLink part. The 0.50 mm X-direction interstitial contact grid is separate from spacing within a row and from PCB tails.
Dimensions / axis	3.59 mm published tail length (G40H3132212HR)S258Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. G40H3132212HR. Documented role: socket. Exact verticalSMT1x1part,36contacts. Tail length is termination geometry, not front-face size.	5 mm published system connector height; 23 mm published system connector width; 9 mm published system connector depthS242Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. Named series only, not every family part: Molex Nano-Pitch I/O system. Dimensions are family-page configuration example with no exactpart suffix; root should retain that scope and not imply every4/8lane variant has this size.; 12mm mated connector+cable assembly height excluded from standalone geometry. Latch option is not proof of universal mating polarization.
Connector role	socket (G40H3132212HR)S258Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. G40H3132212HR. Documented role: socket. Exact verticalSMT1x1part,36contacts. Tail length is termination geometry, not front-face size.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Coupling / latch	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	Cable-side passive or active latching optionsS242Not recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations. Named series only, not every family part: Molex Nano-Pitch I/O system. Dimensions are family-page configuration example with no exactpart suffix; root should retain that scope and not imply every4/8lane variant has this size.; 12mm mated connector+cable assembly height excluded from standalone geometry. Latch option is not proof of universal mating polarization.
Keying / polarization	Anti-reverse wall (G40H3132212HR)S258Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. G40H3132212HR. Documented role: socket. Exact verticalSMT1x1part,36contacts. Tail length is termination geometry, not front-face size.	Not recordedPassive/active latch options describe retention, not an actual polarization feature. A mating key remains unestablished.
Documented identification	Internal Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643 connector family.C238A	OCuLink connector-family context for PCIe cabled interconnect applications.C240A
Evidence	C238A,C238C,C238W → Independent review pending	C240A,C240W → Independent review pending

Read field by field — no sideways scrolling

The same selected records, fields, values and source links as the table. Missing fields remain non-equivalent; no values are merged.

Layer

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: Connector
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: Connector

Key distinction

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: Mini-SAS HD is a different connector generation/form from legacy Mini-SAS even when both are used for SAS links.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: OCuLink identity does not establish PCIe generation, lane count, bifurcation support or device compatibility.

Nominal contacts

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: 36S241Source-backed nominal position count: 36.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.

Positions / cavity span

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.

Populated contacts

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.

Contact rows

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: Not recordedNo qualified value remains for this contact/body field. Source context is retained in variant_notes; no value inferred from artwork or names.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: 2S242Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. Named series only, not every family part: Molex Nano-Pitch I/O system. Dimensions are family-page configuration example with no exactpart suffix; root should retain that scope and not imply every4/8lane variant has this size.; 12mm mated connector+cable assembly height excluded from standalone geometry. Latch option is not proof of universal mating polarization.

Contact pitch

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: 0.75 mm Explicit internal receptacle contact pitch (TE internal Mini-SAS HD series)S937Qualified exact source facts only; counterpart, mounting-acceptance, cable, port, termination and assembly context remains separately labelled in variant_notes. Named TE internal Mini-SAS HD manufacturer series only, not every family part; SFF-8643 internal receptacle/cable system. Page2 is separate from external SFF-8644 page6 and its part variants.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: 0.5 mm X-direction interstitial contact-grid step, not uniform spacing within a row (Named Molex NanoPitch 173162/171982/171983 families)S989 · S990 · S991Current primary-source scoped values; named examples remain separate and unknowns are not inferred from illustrations. Named Molex NanoPitch series 173162/171982/171983 only, not every OCuLink part. The 0.50 mm X-direction interstitial contact grid is separate from spacing within a row and from PCB tails.

Dimensions / axis

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: 3.59 mm published tail length (G40H3132212HR)S258Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. G40H3132212HR. Documented role: socket. Exact verticalSMT1x1part,36contacts. Tail length is termination geometry, not front-face size.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: 5 mm published system connector height; 23 mm published system connector width; 9 mm published system connector depthS242Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. Named series only, not every family part: Molex Nano-Pitch I/O system. Dimensions are family-page configuration example with no exactpart suffix; root should retain that scope and not imply every4/8lane variant has this size.; 12mm mated connector+cable assembly height excluded from standalone geometry. Latch option is not proof of universal mating polarization.

Connector role

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: socket (G40H3132212HR)S258Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. G40H3132212HR. Documented role: socket. Exact verticalSMT1x1part,36contacts. Tail length is termination geometry, not front-face size.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.

Coupling / latch

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: Cable-side passive or active latching optionsS242Not recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations. Named series only, not every family part: Molex Nano-Pitch I/O system. Dimensions are family-page configuration example with no exactpart suffix; root should retain that scope and not imply every4/8lane variant has this size.; 12mm mated connector+cable assembly height excluded from standalone geometry. Latch option is not proof of universal mating polarization.

Keying / polarization

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: Anti-reverse wall (G40H3132212HR)S258Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. G40H3132212HR. Documented role: socket. Exact verticalSMT1x1part,36contacts. Tail length is termination geometry, not front-face size.
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: Not recordedPassive/active latch options describe retention, not an actual polarization feature. A mating key remains unestablished.

Documented identification

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: Internal Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643 connector family.C238A
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: OCuLink connector-family context for PCIe cabled interconnect applications.C240A

Evidence

Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 connectorP238 / Connector: C238A,C238C,C238W →
Independent review pending
OCuLink SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connector familyP240 / Connector: C240A,C240W →
Independent review pending

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Open the field notes Read source-linked facts and limitations.Compare another pair Start from a common confusion.Check a connection A comparison is not a compatibility verdict.

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Mini-SAS HD vs SlimSASMini-SAS HD and SlimSAS are different internal high-density connector families. Match the named SFF form and system documentation, not the general SAS label.Mini-SAS internal SFF-8087 versus Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643Is the internal storage connector legacy Mini-SAS SFF-8087 or Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.OCuLink versus SlimSASWhich compact cabled storage/PCIe connector family is documented by the host and cable? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.SATA data vs SATA powerSATA data and SATA power are separate connectors with different roles and contact counts. Sharing the SATA name does not make them substitutes.CFast versus CFexpress Type BSATA CFast is not PCIe/NVMe CFexpress. Check the full card and reader names before checking performance.CFexpress Type A versus Type BRecord the type letter and supported reader, not just the family name.

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Evidence behind this page

Scope first. Source second. Approval separate.

7 linked sources · 5 scoped claims · 0 sources with inspection/access flags.

Page scope: Evidence behind the compared records; the editorial comparison still needs separate review.

Assessment 2026-10-22 · earliest scheduled source review 2027-01-03. This is a recorded-date assessment, not a live source check. Page-level independent review is not established by this panel.

Inspect 7 source scopes, access limits and dates

S241 · Mini-SAS HD cable assemblies

Amphenol Communications Solutions · Manufacturer / product-owner domain · inspected 2026-10-05 · due 2027-01-03

Within inspection window

Scoped support: Identifies Mini-SAS HD internal SFF-8643 and external SFF-8644 interface families.

Not established / limitations: Identification/reference scope only. V39 does not convert this source into a universal pinout, fabrication drawing, electrical approval, protocol guarantee or end-to-end compatibility verdict.

Locator: Mini-SAS HD overview

S242 · Nano-Pitch I/O connector system

Molex · Manufacturer / product-owner domain · inspected 2026-10-05 · due 2027-01-03

Within inspection window

Scoped support: Identifies Molex Nano-Pitch I/O as supporting PCIe OCuLink applications; V39 uses the source only to establish the OCuLink connector-family context.

Locator: OCuLink / NPIO overview

S258 · Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643 example connector

Amphenol Communications Solutions · Manufacturer / product-owner domain · inspected 2026-10-05 · due 2027-01-03

Within inspection window

Scoped support: Example-component scope: Mini-SAS HD internal board connector with 36 contacts and SFF-8643 product compliance/standards.

Not established / limitations: Engineering-reference scope only. V40 does not turn this source into fabrication approval, electrical safety approval, protocol guarantee, safe substitution or end-to-end compatibility proof.

Locator: Part specification detail

S937 · Mini-SAS HD connectors and cable assemblies brochure

TE Connectivity · Manufacturer / product-owner domain · inspected 2026-10-22 · due 2027-01-20

Within inspection window

Scoped support: Current primary-document research for named TE internal Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643 family P238 (pp.2–3) and external P239 /2149027-1 (p.6). Each normalized fact retains its exact part/family, role and document scope; no internal/external property transfer.

Not established / limitations: No independent technical review, hardware validation, specimen measurement or general interoperability approval. Exact scopes and unresolved fields remain controlling.

Locator: pp.2–3 Internal Applications: explicit0.75mm contact pitch, materials and internal ordering table; p.6 External Applications: construction, materials, protocols and2149027-1 ordering table. Internal and external scopes remain separate.

S989 · Molex AS-173162-0001 NanoPitch I/O application specification

Molex · Manufacturer / product-owner domain · inspected 2026-10-22 · due 2027-01-20

Within inspection window

Scoped support: Named NanoPitch families only, not everyOCuLink component.

Not established / limitations: Grid projection is retained literally. It is not asserted as adjacent spacing within either contact row, row-to-row spacing or PCB tail pitch; exact geometry and pinout depend on part.

Locator: Complete21-page PDF retrieved; section2.1p4 explicitly0.5 mm contact spacing oriented as X-direction interstitial grid, named173162/171982/171983 families. p3scope andp5/6 distinguish PCB attachment and mating-specific drawings. Relevant sections read; no source pixels.

S990 · Molex PS-173162-0001 NanoPitch I/O product specification

Molex · Manufacturer / product-owner domain · inspected 2026-10-22 · due 2027-01-20

Within inspection window

Scoped support: Named family and mechanical standard context only.

Not established / limitations: Source says pin assignments vary by cable assembly and require exact sales drawing. No common pinout or end-to-end capability asserted.

Locator: Complete24-page PDF retrieved; p5scope0.50mmcenterline, connector173162/171982/171983 and plug/cable100436/100203/100153/200226/200227; p6industrydocsOCuLink 1.0,SFF-8611,SFF-8612. Relevant text read, no source pixels.

S991 · Molex SD-100153-1000 NPIO right-angle to straight cable drawing

Molex · Manufacturer / product-owner domain · inspected 2026-10-22 · due 2027-01-20

Within inspection window

Scoped support: Specific1001531000 cable-family standard binding only; no common wiring imported.

Not established / limitations: Exact named source and role only; no universal geometry, wiring, electrical compatibility or fabrication approval.

Locator: Complete3-page PDF retrieved; p1note2plug mates173162receptacles; exact1001531000 row statesSFF-8611mechanical andPCIExpressOCuLink 1.0electrical specification. Exception rows0994-0998 retained separately. No source pixels inspected.

Trace 5 claims to their source records

C238A · P238

Amphenol identifies SFF-8643 as the internal Mini-SAS HD interface family.

Claim scope: V39 catalogue-expansion identification fact only; not independent technical approval, fabrication data, wiring instruction, protocol guarantee or end-to-end compatibility proof.

Source links: S241 · Evidence trail → (private workspace)

C238C · P238

Amphenol describes G40H3132212HR as a vertical SMT 1x1 internal Mini-SAS HD board connector with a cap and anti-reverse wall.

Claim scope: Exact product-page role/orientation. The page warns that its image may not represent the exact part. No keyed-face geometry, footprint or mating approval inferred.

Source links: S258 · Evidence trail → (private workspace)

C238W · P238

TE brochure7-1773461-9 page2 explicitly specifies0.75mm contact pitch for its internal Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643 family, with LCP receptacle housing and copper-alloy contacts. Page3 lists internal connector examples separately from the external family.

Claim scope: Named TE internal Mini-SAS HD series only, not every family part. Do not transfer external SFF-8644 page6 part properties, cage port arrays or PCB termination pitch.

Source links: S937 · Evidence trail → (private workspace)

C240A · P240

Molex identifies its Nano-Pitch I/O family as supporting PCIe OCuLink applications, establishing the OCuLink connector-family context.

Claim scope: V39 catalogue-expansion identification fact only; not independent technical approval, fabrication data, wiring instruction, protocol guarantee or end-to-end compatibility proof.

Source links: S242 · Evidence trail → (private workspace)

C240W · P240

Molex defines a 0.50 mm X-direction interstitial contact grid for its named NanoPitch families. Separate product and cable documents identify 173162 receptacles and the 1001531000 SFF-8611/OCuLink cable context. The grid is separate from spacing within a contact row.

Claim scope: Named Molex NanoPitch series 173162/171982/171983 only, not every OCuLink part. The 0.50 mm X-direction interstitial contact grid is separate from spacing within a row and from PCB tails.

Source links: S989 · S990 · S991 · Evidence trail → (private workspace)

Prepare this page for review →Read the evidence method →

Recorded evidence only. An inspection date, publisher label, source link or generated packet is not independent technical review, hardware testing, fabrication approval or a compatibility verdict.