eSATA card + storage array

[rgroves]

I'm beginning to look at some external storage for my WHS/SageTV server.

The mobo I have now only has 4 SATA ports + 1 dual ATA port. The SATA ports are all occupied with 4-1TB drive for my storage drives. The ATA has the system drive and DVD.

The only card on the mobo right now is a Hauppage 2250, in the PCIe 1x slot. I have 2 more PCIe 1x slots, 1-PCIe 4x, 1-PCIe 16x, and 2- PCI slots available in the server.

The case I'm using can handle more storage (Antec Nine-Hundred case), with an Icy-Dock 4in3 rack. I'd like to add a SATA card to the server to be able to convert the main drive over to SATA as well as change the DVD to a BR drive. AND I'd like to add an eSATA card and an external case that could hold either 4, 5, or 8 drives.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on the SATA and eSATA cards or the external case. I want the money to go towards the storage drives (most likely they will all be 2TB drives, or larger if the prices start to drop in the next 4-6 months).

So, I'd like some suggestions on the SATA, eSATA, and external storage boxes.

Thanks.

[mayamaniac]

SATA PCI card with 4 ports. $45.00 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816318003

eSATA bracket. $5.50 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812816068

Search on newegg for good external cases. Read the reviews and you should be fine.

[rgroves]

The SATA card looks good. I'm thinking I'd go with this Rosewill box for the external array, and it comes with an eSATA-Port multiplier card. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816132015

[craigap]

Originally Posted by mayamaniac

SATA PCI card with 4 ports. $45.00 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816318003

I have an off brand card in my PC just like that one except I paid $15 on ebay for one new. Even the same SiI 3114 chip. Just don't try to plug in the DVD/blu ray drive or OS drive into it. Especially if you're trying to load the OS- It won't work.

[DevNull]

Be careful with that included Sil 3132 raid card. The RAID5 write times are really awful. The manufacturer rates it as 19MB/s, but I'd put it closer to 9MB/s. As another NewEgg reviewer suggested, look at the SansDigital case. It's functionally similar to the Rosewill box, but has a much improved RAID card packaged with RAID5 writes rated at 150MB/s (90+MB/s real world).

[rgroves]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions. There is just soo much stuff out there these days to try and keep up with it all.... especially at my advanced age of 40. Heck, I've had my hands in computers since the first IBM AT was available.

No RAID will be used with this box. I'm using this to add to the WHS Storage Pool.

I'll look on eBay for that card as well. If I can get 2 of them, then I'll also add another 4into3 IcyDock rack in the case as well as external unit.

The Sans Digital box looks even better than the one I listed. It's in my wishlist now !

[wolfie99]

I have had a 8 bay Sans Digital box for the past 2 years. Works well with WHS and Sage. I even use low power green drives with no lag at all.