No More Sata

[hawtfrank]

So I have a P5N-D. t has 4 sata ports. However I need at the very least 2 more, 8 ideally. Any recommendations on what to do? I use a e8400 with DDR2 memory.

 

[PCTC2]

Are you running SLI? If you're not, you can pick up a nice HighPoint 8x SATA RAID Card for cheap (if you're doing RAID). http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16816115056

Otherwise, what are you doing with 8 more ports? And what's your budget?

 

[hawtfrank]

I meant I need 8 total atleast. I have 5 Sata hard drives(Just bought 2 Raptors to switch out with my 250GB Barracuda), 1 eSata port via Sata, 1 Sata Optical drive. That's 7 devices total. I would like some room for expansion as who knows what other sata devices I may purchase. My Budget for Computer stuff is spread pretty thin as there are numerous other things I need for it (IE dremel, power drill, Hole saws, krimpers, soldering iron, modular PSU). So upgrading the Mobo is more plausible. Thing is I plan on upgrading to the 32nm Westmere next year so I don't want to spend alot on a new mobo. Also it doesn't need to be SLI.

I mean right now I have to power down connect the sata from one of the HDD to the optical drive, install software, then power down and reconnect the HDD.

 

[lizardboy]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
Are you running SLI? If you're not, you can pick up a nice HighPoint 8x SATA RAID Card for cheap (if you're doing RAID). http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16816115056

Otherwise, what are you doing with 8 more ports? And what's your budget?

$329 is cheap? Why not just buy a new mobo with more built-in SATA ports?

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: lizardboy

Originally posted by: PCTC2
Are you running SLI? If you're not, you can pick up a nice HighPoint 8x SATA RAID Card for cheap (if you're doing RAID). http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16816115056

Otherwise, what are you doing with 8 more ports? And what's your budget?

$329 is cheap? Why not just buy a new mobo with more built-in SATA ports?

I thought he wanted 8 MORE drives, for which this is cheap for a RAID controller. This is one of the best RAID controllers for that price point. Do you know the price of SAS RAID controller cards?

Also, I was wondering if you were running SLI because that would mean your second PCIe x16 slot would be taken.

If you want a new board, check out the Gigabyte EP45-UD3P. They're pretty nice. 2 would be on the Gigabyte SATA controller, but as long as you install the drivers, you'll be fine. A cheap 4-port controller card would run you about the same price.

 

[Binky]

You can get a SATA port multiplier for as low as $50. Put your lowest speed stuff on it and you're set. Several are out there and I found the "Addonics 5x1 Esata Port Multiplier" with a quick google search.