Cheapest way to add 4 SATA ports to an old system

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01-08-2006, 05:44 PM
chrestomanci

Cheapest way to add 4 SATA ports to an old system
Hi

I have an old Socket A system that I am looking to turn into a Linux file server, The problem is that it has no SATA ports, but I would prefer to fill it with SATA drives for future proofing. What would be the cheapest way to add at least 4 SATA ports?

The way I see it, my options are:
- Add two SATA adaptor cards
- Add a SATA raid card
- Buy a Socket A motherboard with SATA ports. (do they exist?)
- Buy a new Socket 939 or AM2 motherboard and CPU with SATA ports (expensive)
Bear in mind that I don’t need much performance from this system, so I don’t want to upgrade the hardware more than I need to.

Suggestions?
01-08-2006, 05:47 PM
Xaneden

I had the same problem a few weeks back. In the end, I decided I didn't want to buy an IDE drive which would be pointless for when I upgrade, and therefore I got a SATA external enclosure, which I'll be using in the time-being.

If that isn't plausible for you, I'd go with the SATA raid card, though a socket A board with SATA might be cheaper. :)
01-08-2006, 05:58 PM
BUFF

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrestomanci

[*]Buy a Socket A motherboard with SATA ports. (do they exist?)

yes, they exist but
1) most only had 2 SATA ports
2) finding 1 these days other than eBay may be hard
01-08-2006, 06:10 PM
james.robinson

Get a new system mate tbh.
01-08-2006, 06:41 PM
chuckskull

Cheapest way would be
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=225844 not sure about linux compatability.

Personally I'd get a 4port RAID card like http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...roductID=83202
01-08-2006, 07:25 PM
nichomach

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=290013299666 ?
01-08-2006, 07:40 PM
chuckskull

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichomach

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=290013299666 ?

Good price. hope the OP see's it in the next 30mins :P

EDIT: looks like they have hundreds actually.
02-08-2006, 09:08 AM
chrestomanci

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichomach

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=290013299666 ?

Thanks, that looks like it will do the trick.

I am just googling for linux compatablity now, but I doubt there will be a problem.
02-08-2006, 09:35 AM
chrestomanci

I have just taken a look a the linux source code and it looks like there is a good driver in

drivers/scsi/sata_sil.c