I never though I'd run out of PCI slots....

[lordtyranus2]

Hopefully, next generation BX motherboards will increase the 6 slot limit.

Currently I have

USB 2.0 bracket (This came with my mobo, its where a 6th PCI slot would be)
Network Interface Card (Used to connect to my laptop when needed)
Wireless Networking Card (Used to connect to wireless router for internet)
Sound Card
Raid Card (Running at RAID 0)
Modem (which I currently have just removed due to lack of use). I have a barton 2500 stock cpu fan there right on top of the slot which I added to my video card heatsink. Its a Radeon 9000, and does not have a fan on its own, so I added one. It increases my overclock a tremendous amount.

 

[tenoc]

increase the 6 slot limit.

Not likely since most new MBs have built-in LAN and decent 6-channel sound. That frees two slots.

The modem you've already found is now surplus. Three slots free.

A lot of folks have come to the conclusion that Raid0 is way over-rated and inimicable to the unit's health.
i.e. If one HDD gets hosed, the whole system is hosed. Two HDDs, twice the chance of that happening.
Add that an awful lot of MBs have built-in Raid....... Four slots free.

Oops, almost forgot, they also have 4 to 8 USB ports...... Five free.

Looks like your next mobo only needs one PCI slot, aside from the PCI-Xpress slot for video!

 

[whitelight]

there's no real estate for more than 6 pci slots... you can also try getting usb ports in front of your computer (assuming you have a free bay).

 

[dbwillis]

Why do you need 2 NIC's (wired and wireless),,,,cant you connect to the laptop through the wirelss connection with the router?

 

[NEVERwinter]

yeah most new generation mobos come with 2 LAN port, 6 ch. sound, 6 USB, RAID, Firewire, etc.
it will free up our slots.

 

[Tab]

No one has even remotely matched creative sound card performence, trust me. On-board has a long ways to go

 

[Peter D]

I only use 2 for my USB and Firewire headers and those dont even get used

 

[lordtyranus2]

That would require buying a wireless card, which I have no money for ATM.