2nd catch, behind the power on time: PWDIS drives: if you’re not using them somewhere with sata 3.2/3.3, you need to use an adapter for the power plug, or some tape, to block pins 1-3 (3.3v) as supplying it to these causes them to reset. Might be worth doing the taping anyway, if you’re using an enclosure or cage (where you can’t use the adapters)
Ah, you are correct… then yes, sata to mobo, with something to secure that cable very well.
1.) Yes, SATA to eSATA will work.
2.) It is not worth it, for stability. Having a cable from mobo to something outside case is unsafe at minimum.
I would go with the other recommendation: get a cheap pci sata/esata card. Cost is small, safety and reliability goes way up, no more kludge adapter going to inside of case.
Reposting as top level comment also: these are PWDIS drives: if you’re not using them somewhere with sata 3.2/3.3, you need to use an adapter for the power plug, or some tape, to block pins 1-3 (3.3v) as supplying it to these causes them to reset. Might be worth doing the taping anyway, if you’re using an enclosure or cage (where you can’t use the adapters) Just be aware.