new chipset boards with 3-4 PCI slots?

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

I've been thinking of getting a new motherboard, now that the new chipsets are available. Specifically, I was interested in something like the Asus M3A78 or M3N78 boards. (both AM2+ boards, using either the Radeon HD3200 or the Geforce 8200 chipsets)

However, I really need at least 3 PCI slots, and 4 would be preferable. I could make do with 3 PCI slots if the board has a legacy serial port. (that would allow me to use my Diamond external modem, rather than the PCI faxmodem I use now)

I currently have 4 relatively new IDE/PATA drives, and don't really want to give them up - they aren't very old at all, and I see no point in spending another $110 to replace a new hard drive that came with a 5 year warranty, and a new optical drive that's working fine. Looks like the new boards only support 2 IDE drives, so I'll have to spend $15 on a PCI IDE controller card. I'd rather spend $15 than $110, but there's another PCI slot used.

I also have a TV Tuner card, which will take up another PCI slot.

I plan on getting an HD Radio card when they are available, so I need a PCI slot free for that as well.

I'm guessing I'll just have to bite the bullet and get a USB to serial adapter if I want to use my external modem - I'm not seeing any of the new boards that support serial modems and such any more.

Can anyone recommend a new motherboard with new chipset that has at least 3 PCI slots? I'd prefer something from Asus, since they have a 3 year warranty. Thanks!

 

[heyheybooboo]

SATA to IDE converters @ $15/pop ???

I would guess in the next month or so Asus and Gigabyte will release AMD 780g full ATX form factors - who knows? - but I would not expect more than 2 (3?) PCI (and single IDE)

 

[tynopik]

1. there are PCIe IDE controller cards
2. why do you want to use that modem?
3. there are PCIe serial port cards
4. will HD Radio cards EVER be available? the RIAA seems intent on quashing them. and even if they ever are, who's to say they won't be PCIe?

 

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

1. there are PCIe IDE controller cards

Yep, $20 shipped. Up until now, there has always been support for 4 IDE devices on the motherboard, at least for the last 12 or more years.

2. why do you want to use that modem?

Because I like to get on the Internet, I hate recurring monthly fees, and I like to make use of things I've already paid for. (I'll upgrade to something faster if I can get it for $5 or less a month - currently I pay $3.25 a month)

3. there are PCIe serial port cards

$30 or so.

Really, you're suggesting I spend over 50 bucks to get things that have always been on my motherboards for free. $50 is usually about what I spend for the whole motherboard, though I was eyeing one that was about $100 this time around. I certainly don't like the thought of paying 50% more.



4. will HD Radio cards EVER be available? the RIAA seems intent on quashing them. and even if they ever are, who's to say they won't be PCIe?

I really hope so. What, are they trying to keep anyone from building one, because they are afraid that someone might record a song? News flash - people can already do that! TV tuner cards let folks record TV shows, so of course the same would be expected with any radio tuner card.

 

[tynopik]

> 1. there are PCIe IDE controller cards
>
> Yep, $20 shipped. Up until now, there has always been support for 4 IDE devices on the motherboard, at least for the last 12 or more years.

it sounds like you're arguing 2 different things
1. there isn't much price difference in PCI and PCIe adapter cards, so i don't see the problem
2. if you're arguing that motherboards should have 2 IDE ports, well that's a separate issue and wasn't a part of your original post

> 2. why do you want to use that modem?
>
> Because I like to get on the Internet,

i meant why the external modem as opposed to the internal PCI modem

now looking back, i realize you were saying a serial port would allow you to free up a PCI slot

> they are afraid that someone might record a song? News flash - people can already do that!

yeah, they can be a little dense at times