What PC to build?
Mar 17, 2010 5:27 AM
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Hi Baz, Harm, and the other experts:
I almost finished all the wiring. (After that e-mail exchange with the ASUS MOBO support in my previous post, I called the phone support. They gave much better help than the 'Live Chat' service.)
Now, however, I have two - a bit more important - questions than the 3-pin fan vs. the 4-pin fan
.1.I need (actually I want) four more SATA internal connectors(two for use now, and the other two to use later). I found a 'SATA II PCIe' expansion card at Fry's from SIIG with 2 internal SATA connectors for $39.99. The box also says that this card works with Windows 7 (among others). However, all the cards with four connectors that I have found so far say that they are 'RAID controllers'(e.g. Koutech IO-PSA421 PCI-X SATA II Controller Card for $49.99 at NewEgg). Can I use this (or other) 'RAID controller' cards just for extra SATA connectors (without using their RAID capabilities)? (I still would like to use the ICH10R Intel chip on my MOBO for RAID control) I assume that a RAID controller card for $300 - $400 or more is better than the ICH10R, but I do not need the RAID capability. Also, these 4x RAID cards do not mention Windows 7. Do I need one which explicitly states that it is certified for Windows 7?
2.Does an expansion card with four internal USBa female connectors exists? Interestingly, the Lian Li case has 4 front panel USBa female connectors and each of them ends in a male USBa connector inside the case (with quite thick cables). I have a 10-1 pin USB header free, but it takes only 2 USB connectors (AFAIK). So, an expansion card with two 10-1 pin USB headers (and converter cables from USBa to header connectors) would also solve my problem but I haven't found those items either. Is there a simpler solution (other than just not to use the front panel USB connectors
)?I would appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Laci.
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Thanks Bill! Just in time - I was about to order this card. (Apparently, others are having similar problems
...) I never heard of the PCI-x standard. I could use two "ASUS U3S6 True USB 3.0 & True SATA 6Gbps PCIe x4 Expansion Cards" http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/675535-REG/ASUS_U3S6_U3S6_True_U SB_3_0.html(and they are SATA III and USB 3.0 cards, $23.00 each!). However, this would use up my two remaining PCIe slots.I am still searching for an internal 4x PCIe SATA II (or SATA III) expansion card - in a reasonable price range. I do not expect it for 2 x $23.00, but certainly would like something under $200.... Any suggestion?
Have you heard of the "SYBA SY-PEX40008 PCI Express SATA II Controller Card" (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124027)? My only concern is that it does not explicitly states Windows 7 as required OpSys. (Sent e-mail to support - they might even reply...) Also, NewEgg is out of it. Thanks again, Laci. P.S. I actually started assembling the computer about 10 days ago - still gathering experience with hardware.
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Hi Bill, This is probably a very good card (although it got only 'two eggs' on NewEgg - but again, this is the average of two people's opinion
). I guess it is still a good card but it seems to me that it needs special connector cables. (It may come in the box?) At $150 it is not too expensive ($125 open box), but the SYBA (http://www.amazon.com/Syba-Express-Ports-Controller-SY-PEX40008/dp/B00 2R0DZWQ) is only ~$60, and (for me, superficially) looks good for the job (only for extra ports and not for RAID). What would be the shortcomings of this card? I really appreciate your help. This is basically the last item I am trying to decide on before I can start the even more exciting part (OpSys installation, fine tuning, etc.) So, I can go with your suggestion but I would like to know what those cables are in the product description, and also, that it is certified for Windows 7. I will try to contact the manufacturer tomorrow, but if you have the answer (and a few minutes) I would greatly appreciate your input (which would be more unbiased that the manufacturer's 
). Thanks again, Laci.| -
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