SATA Controller Card / RAID Controller ???

[NAiLs]

Do you guys have any recommendations for a SATA controller card? I have some free PCI-e slots, I think a 1x and a 16x, and I'm in need of some more SATA ports. I'm still a good 5-8 months away from a new system build, maybe longer? I've got 5 HDD's, 1x DVD-RW, and 1x DVD-ROM.... but only 6 on-board SATA ports. I'm looking to replace an existing optical drive, and add in a BD-ROM soon. To have 2 optical drives running, I need a 7th SATA port, which of course my motherboard doesn't have. I may want to expand my HDD collection in the future as well.

Any suggestions? I'm not looking at spending big money, but I don't want a POS either. Maybe a RAID controller instead? Nothing to break the bank though... I do run 2 drives in RAID 1, and I may put in another pair of drives in another RAID 1 config. (Photography.... these darn pictures take up a butt load of room). I have had the occasional trouble with the Windows software RAID utility messing up my mirrors and having to resync occasionally. The on-board RAID doesn't work with an SSD attached, either. It won't see my SSD the moment I set up the RAID array. This kind of makes me want a RAID controller instead.

Thanks!

-Brian

[Apoptosis]

just do an add-on card Sub $25 and good enough for optical drives

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6815280008

[NAiLs]

Something like that could definitely work... albeit mixed reviews. I think it should do fine for my opticals.

[smack323]

have you thought about setting up a cheap storage server? maybe you could animate a old pc or something?

[Major_A]

I have the external version of this card and it works fine. If you're just hooking up a couple optical drives then it should be fine.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2
On Silicon Image's website you choose what drivers you want (i.e. RAID or otherwise).

[NAiLs]

have you thought about setting up a cheap storage server? maybe you could animate a old pc or something?

I have, but the wife already hates 1 computer running 24x7. My old hardware was high end back in the day, so it's not very power efficient either.

I have the external version of this card and it works fine. If you're just hooking up a couple optical drives then it should be fine.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2
On Silicon Image's website you choose what drivers you want (i.e. RAID or otherwise).

Hot damn.... I didn't know monoprice sold those. That gives me an excuse to finally buy a few cables from there as well. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Apoptosis]

I didn't either!

Only $15 and looks good enough for optical drives.

[Major_A]

They also seem to have a really good price on a USB 3.0 hub.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

Not a bad deal on a USB Wireless N 300 adapter either.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2