64-bit PCI or 8C Pcie boards?

[Doug Warner]

The next PC I build is going to have a 4-drive SATA RAID 5 array with
a "hardware raid" controller, such as a Tekram ARC-1210.
(http://www.tekram.com/raidcrde.html )
The problem is that these high-end boards come in either 64/133 PCI-X
or 8X PCI Express.

Most all of the "consumer" boards I see have only 1X PCIe slots except
for the video card slot. Are there any ones with all 8X or 16X slots?

Alternately, if I buy a board with two X16 slots intended for a dual
video setup, can I just use one if them for the RAID controller?

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[Conor]

The next PC I build is going to have a 4-drive SATA RAID 5 array with
a "hardware raid" controller, such as a Tekram ARC-1210.
(http://www.tekram.com/raidcrde.html )
The problem is that these high-end boards come in either 64/133 PCI-X
or 8X PCI Express.

Most all of the "consumer" boards I see have only 1X PCIe slots except
for the video card slot. Are there any ones with all 8X or 16X slots?

Alternately, if I buy a board with two X16 slots intended for a dual
video setup, can I just use one if them for the RAID controller?

Yes you can. Unlike AGP slots PCIe 16x aren't designed solely for
graphics cards.

 

[DaveW]

NO, no boards are ALL 8x or 16x PCI-E.

--
DaveW




The next PC I build is going to have a 4-drive SATA RAID 5 array with
a "hardware raid" controller, such as a Tekram ARC-1210.
(http://www.tekram.com/raidcrde.html )
The problem is that these high-end boards come in either 64/133 PCI-X
or 8X PCI Express.

Most all of the "consumer" boards I see have only 1X PCIe slots except
for the video card slot. Are there any ones with all 8X or 16X slots?

Alternately, if I buy a board with two X16 slots intended for a dual
video setup, can I just use one if them for the RAID controller?

To reply, please remove one letter from each side of "@"
Spammers are VERMIN. Please kill them all.