A simple first builder question

Lioness

Member
Jul 27, 2001
199
0
0
I have an Antec sonata case with front side USB ports and p4c800 dlx. These ports in the front are additional to the ports in the back? Another words, if I don't need them, I don't connect them.

From my back fan I have two 4 molex connectors. From the PSU I have two "fan only" connectors. Can, and should I, connect one of the 4 molex to a supply outlet connector from PSU for better cooling? I know the "fan only" will fit nicely but I was wondering if I can use this other alternative.

I would like each of my hard drives as master on each IDE and use a CD-RW as a slave on secondary IDE, no CD-Rom involved here. My secondary IDE ribbon is not long enough to connect the CD-RW and HDD on the chain, due to FDD in between. Are there longer IDE cables available and if so, is this my only alternative?

thanks



 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
1
0
You can use the front USB or leave it unhooked, your choice.

The rear fan should be plugged into the PSU, either the "Fan-Only" line (runs the fan slower than normal for less noise) or one of the regular ones if you want full speed from the fan. The fan will cool better at full speed, so I'd try that first and see if the noise level is to your liking.

For the IDE cable problem, I would just run the two HDDs on the same IDE cable and be done with it. There are longer IDE cables out there, though. A 24" ATA133 cable might be enough... I wouldn't suggest going longer than that, it's already beyond the suggested 18" maximum.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
0
What he said... except I would (as you) put one HD on each channel and I would put the CDRW on the channel that is opposite from its most likely source drive for burning. But, if I had ~ an extra $22. burning a hole in my pocket, I'd get the Syba IDE/RAID adapter (dealsonic.com), and put each drive on its own channel. It's a rats nest of cables, even with round ones, but optimum is optimum... C'est la vie.
.bh.
 

Buz2b

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2001
4,619
0
0
I would mirror what Mechbgon said. Put the two HDD's on the same primary IDE channel and the CDRW on the second. That would be the best situation unless there is reason why you want to split them up. Are you planning on moving large amounts of data between the two HDD's?