Options for multiple IDE hard drives, no raid?

[KrispyKremer]

What options are there for multiple hard drives using IDE, no raid? Basically I want to add a couple hard drives to a machines for storage, keeping it as simple as possible. Since the machine will have a dvd drive and a cd-recorder, that takes up one channel master and slave. However, if I want more than 2 ide hard drives, what are my options? Are external firewire drives viable?
Thanks.

 

[ledzepp98]

unless you are looking for an external solution, the easiest way to add more drives (ide devices) is to get a pci ide controller card. an ata-100 controller goes for ~$35 shipped and it will let you add 4 more devices

 

[AluminumStudios]

I recently added a Maxtor (Promise) ATA100 controller to my system. NOw I'm running 3 IDE HDs, and IDE CD-RW, and an IDE DVD-ROM and still have room for 3 more IDE devices.

ledzepp98 is right, just buy an ATA controller add-in card. They work well and are very simple. I'm really happy with my Maxtor (which is really made by promise.) It was $50 at Best Buy.

 

[bluesky]

Yeah, that is the easiest way.
Or you could upgrade your m/b to another w/onboard Promise controller.
But If you get ata133 card or a m/b with ata133 onboard controller, you could overcome the capacity limit.(136G?)

 

[KrispyKremer]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sounds like just throwing a controller card into the machine is the best course of action. I'm surprised this hasn't become standard on mobo's as it doesn't seem to add greatly to the cost.

With faster bus speeds and serial ATA around the corner, I'm wondering if I should keep things as they are in my existing machine and wait until the next computer upgrade.

Thanks again.

 

[AluminumStudios]

There will be adapters to connect current ATA hard drives to serial ATA, so I don't think investing in a HD now is a bad idea. I don't consider ATA controllers costly enough to worry about not using after a few months

With computers you can always be waiting for the next technology or having your machine do what you need it to do now.