SATA Mobo cluster full. What are my options for more ports?


  1. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
       #1

    SATA Mobo cluster full. What are my options for more ports?


    My Asus Crosshair IV SATA cluster is full. 2 SSD's, 3 HDD's and 1 of 2 Blueray drives connected. Need to connect at least 2 more SATA devices and power them. I have a open E1 sata port that is separate from the 6 port cluster but I believe that is for optical drives only, which would help with the 2 of 2 Blueray I believe but I still need a solution so I can connect a third SSD.
    Even though I do have another set of SATA power connectors they may not reach spot where SSD will be. Any way to power a SATA device separate from power supply?

    Best options if any?

    System specs in profile page.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #2

    Honestly, your best option for simplicity and performance is to simplify. That's a crazy amount of drives to have in one system. If that was my system, I'd leave one SSD, and then add in 2 2 TB drives, or set up a cheap WHS box to store much of my data that isn't needed on a daily basis.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,872
    Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 8.1 Pro x64, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1,
       #3
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
    Thread Starter
       #4

    DeaconFrost said:
    Honestly, your best option for simplicity and performance is to simplify. That's a crazy amount of drives to have in one system. If that was my system, I'd leave one SSD, and then add in 2 2 TB drives, or set up a cheap WHS box to store much of my data that isn't needed on a daily basis.
    Interesting. I had no idea what a WHS was until I just looked now. Can the separate server pc which I assume is just running multiple HDs be connected to my main pc so I have 24/7 access to those drives?
    I definitely need access to all of those drives on a daily basis.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,164
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #5

    psychotron said:
    DeaconFrost said:
    Honestly, your best option for simplicity and performance is to simplify. That's a crazy amount of drives to have in one system. If that was my system, I'd leave one SSD, and then add in 2 2 TB drives, or set up a cheap WHS box to store much of my data that isn't needed on a daily basis.
    Interesting. I had no idea what a WHS was until I just looked now. Can the separate server pc which I assume is just running multiple HDs be connected to my main pc so I have 24/7 access to those drives?
    I definitely need access to all of those drives on a daily basis.
    If you need constant fast access to the drives, might as well just keep them in your main box.
    My mobo has 8 sata ports and I needed 1 more so bought a cheap sata 3 2 port pcie 1x
    card for $20 at Amazon.

    WHS machine is going to cost at least $300.

    They make molex to sata power cables, so you can extend it a few inches.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
    Thread Starter
       #6

    pbcopter said:
    Well if I grabbed some longer sata cables and used this for my two larger HDD drives which are installed in the front of my pc it would definitely work. I see the 2.0 would limit the 6gb speeds therefore I wouldn't want any ssd's connected to them. I will look at these pci-s slot solutions, had no idea they existed for sata connections. Thanks
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #7

    I can't imagine needing that much storage on a daily basis. People who do, like content creators, usually end up with an external drive cage/array, like a NAS unit, but not one that sits on a network. Those can be connected by an eSATA port and provide quick access to a large amount of storage.

    That being said, how do you have all that data backed up? If it's that important to you to need daily, you should have a solid backup device as well.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Zepher said:
    psychotron said:
    DeaconFrost said:
    Honestly, your best option for simplicity and performance is to simplify. That's a crazy amount of drives to have in one system. If that was my system, I'd leave one SSD, and then add in 2 2 TB drives, or set up a cheap WHS box to store much of my data that isn't needed on a daily basis.
    Interesting. I had no idea what a WHS was until I just looked now. Can the separate server pc which I assume is just running multiple HDs be connected to my main pc so I have 24/7 access to those drives?
    I definitely need access to all of those drives on a daily basis.
    If you need constant fast access to the drives, might as well just keep them in your main box.
    My mobo has 8 sata ports and I needed 1 more so bought a cheap sata 3 2 port pcie 1x
    card for $20 at Amazon.

    WHS machine is going to cost at least $300.
    Good stuff. Any particular brand that has best performance? My main concern is obtaining true fast speeds for ssd's. I am definitely going this route, checking out amazon now. Thanks
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
    Thread Starter
       #9

    DeaconFrost said:
    I can't imagine needing that much storage on a daily basis. People who do, like content creators, usually end up with an external drive cage/array, like a NAS unit, but not one that sits on a network. Those can be connected by an eSATA port and provide quick access to a large amount of storage.

    That being said, how do you have all that data backed up? If it's that important to you to need daily, you should have a solid backup device as well.
    All my very important files are stored online.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Thanks for all the help everyone. I'll be checking back here for replies daily. Peace
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:13.
Find Us