Yes, I saw that one, decided to go with the more expensive one,
realizing that I'd "probably" have to send either one back, as I'd
tried cheapo controllers already without sucess in that slot.
(Now to start planning on what MB to upgrade to)
My MB has 6 SATA ports on-board, but I have them all in use and the
optical drive on the PATA IDE cable. I really wanted the SATA III
capability, expecially for the SSD... mabe even giving me the ability
to use the old SSD as a small fast drive as some sort of cache.
They're all pretty much going to be SATA 6G.
More money for a controller doesn't mean much to me when MBs, such as
this Gigabyte are for all intents the same cost as the damn controller
I bought. Of course this does *only* 2 6G/III SATA ports / no onboard
video / and it's an AMI slot. Point is still $29 ($5 cupon code
presumably) for a MB is unreal for anything decent. Gigabyte usually
is. (ASUS/Gigabyte/MSI they'd be my selections).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128696
AMD Sempron 3850 Kabini Quad-Core 1.3GHz Socket AM1 25W Desktop
Processor AMD Radeon HD 8280 SD3850JAHMBOX - a $40 processor to figure
out, video for instance. DDR3 another probably $20 for a couple gig.
FM2/FM2+ a more expensive MB
AM3+
9 processors available, expensive over $100 processors excluding a
sole Sempron. But they've some onboard chipped video.
MBs do tend get expensive - starting adding on features. 6 or 8 SATA
6G ports, 2 PCI slots excluding video. I like two PCI slots *a lot*
more than one - my XONAR soundboard only, I'd feel like in a cage.
AM3+ (possibly FM2/FM2+) for EBay offerings (need older used
processors if that were to be a source).
Didn't even hit Intel (may have better/good offerings).
I tell you, Charlie, when I go researching a basic system build it
takes hours and hours...sometimes days. Get it all together and make
a decision, but hold out for a little while to let it all settle, gel
just a tad more before pulling any triggers.
Damndest thing though, your MB rejecting a PCI-slotted HDD controller.
I'd strip that thing out (disconnect all drives) just to see if the
PCI controller's BIOS augmentation did __not__ catch after the screen
"press DEL" for the MB BIOS passes. If the controller will come up...
Then start adding back your 6 HDD connections, one at a time, checking
for a BIOS conflict, looking what's walking all over a PCI controller
in jack boots. May want to think about consolidating whatever it is
you're doing with 6 HDDs in a case, anyway. A single 2T for $60-70
might also go a long way. Took my 3 HDDs per build down to 2, in a
manner of speaking, by adding a SSD to each and pulling out 2
250G-class old Seagates. Liable not even to connect DVD units until I
need them, leaving the cables off and dangling to turn off and bring
back up only when needed. Just trying to go easy on a PSU, keep a
dash of heat out, if all else is the same.
Also have a "pretty high" stack of accumulated T-class HDDs I keep
around for docking stations and external archive storage. Kind of a
nice feeling knowing they're not on, say, 24/7 and doing a lot of idle
sitting at 105-110F. I let the SSDs do those roles now, along with my
oldest 600-700G HDDs, a single Tbyte drive - they do take a brunt of
some "unavoidable beatings."
