FIREWIRE 800 1394b 9-to-4-pin (ilink) is it better then 6 pin to ilink

So I just got a new computer it has a 1394 port (4 pin or ilink), eSATA port, USB 2.0 port.

My External Hard drive has a 9 Pin Firewire 800 port, a Firewire 400 port (6 pin).

What cable would give me the best features (speed,etc)
I was thinking of a
FIREWIRE 800 1394b 9-to-4-pin (ilink), but would this even take advantage of the firewire 800 spec?

http://cgi.ebay.com/FIREWIRE-800-1394b-9-to-4-pin-CABLE-6-6ft-NEW_W0QQitemZ330295590163QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Cables_Adapters?hash=item330295590163&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

 

The connectors are kinda irrelevant. If you have a firewire 800 device and plug it into a firewire 800 card, then you'll get the speed. If your card won't handle that, then no.

 

why is there a more pins/less pins interface then?what's the advantage of more pins and the compromise of less pins?

 

How can I tell if it will handle it... I did just get a new computer

 

Wow, sorry I must have been asleep when I posted that!! I'll elaborate.

OK, Firewire 800 is 9 pin. If you use a 6 or 4 pin lead, it'll slow down to regular Firewire. Only way around it is to use a Firewire 800 card. And they're not that cheap, unfortunately.

Barc0de, the difference between 4 pin and 6 pin is power.

 

is there a FW 800 with less than 9 pins? I only have 400 and I love it for years now.

 

No, 9 pin Firewire is Firewire 800, and Firewire 800 is only on 9 pins. If that makes sense!