One SATA lead, one crowded case. Collect the parts, keep the run tidy, and try not to snag yourself.
One part sits on the board at a time. Each is worth points and adds length, and the cable speeds up slightly with every pickup — so a long run gets harder to steer, not easier.
The bread and butter pickup. Common, and adds a modest amount of cable behind you.
10 points · +2 segmentsWorth more than memory for the same length. Take it when the board is still open.
15 points · +2 segmentsThe safest grab on the board. Least length added, so useful when things are tight.
10 points · +1 segmentThe big score, and the big commitment — three extra segments of cable to steer around.
25 points · +3 segmentsAppears once the run gets long. Trims five segments off the tail and pays you for the tidy-up.
5 points · −5 segmentsHit the edge of the case or your own cable and the run is over. There is no wrap-around.
Ends the runEvery custom build leaves here properly routed and tied off, which keeps airflow clean and makes the next upgrade a five-minute job.
