Cheapest way to add 4 SATA ports to an old system

[chrestomanci]

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?

[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.

[BUFF]

[*]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

[james.robinson]

Get a new system mate tbh.

[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

[nichomach]

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

[chuckskull]

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

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

EDIT: looks like they have hundreds actually.

[chrestomanci]

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.

[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