What type of power connector is used for PATA (IDE) internal HDDs and optical drives?

The correct answer is the Molex connector. This type of power connector is commonly used for older PATA (IDE) internal hard disk drives and optical drives. The Molex connector is characterized by its four-pin design, which provides the necessary power to these devices.

Historically, the Molex 4-pin connector has been utilized to power various components in computer systems, particularly those that were prevalent before the introduction of the SATA interface. As PATA drives do not have the newer SATA power connectors, Molex serves as the primary power source for these older technologies.

In contrast, SATA connectors are specific to the newer SATA drives and would not apply to PATA devices. The ATX connector is primarily used for supplying power to the motherboard, and while it may have power connections for other components, it is not directly used for HDDs and optical drives. The LP4 connector is actually another name for the Molex connector, but it is less commonly referred to in this context. Thus, the Molex designation is the most accurate identifier for the power connector used for PATA drives.