How many hard drives?

[bgray77]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm tired of trying to figure it out on my own:

My current system has an 80 GB hard drive. I found a 200 GB Western Digital for $79, after rebates. If I buy two of these, will I have a problem setting up all 3 drives? My motherboard says it will support 4 IDE devices (currently using all 4), but it looks like the ATA controller card that came with the WD drive will let me hook up 4 more. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Brian

 

[ledzepp98]

yes, that is correct

 

[StraightPipe]

Where you getting the drives? sounds like a good deal, are they 8mb?

 

[charlie21]

Yep. IDE supports 2 devices per channel. Mobos usually come standard with 2 onboard IDE channels. The controller card will add 2 more IDE channels to your system.

Not a stupid question at all, and welcome to the forums!

 

[mindwreck]

welcome to teh forums:beer:

yeah you will be able to hook up the rest of your HDD with the controller card

where are you getting these things?? 80 bucks for a 200gb hd is one hellofadeal

 

[BFG10K]

Don't forget about drive bays too.

If you have more than three 3.5" devices you'll probably need mounting brackets as you'll have to use some of your 5.25" bays.

 

[bgray77]

Thanks for all the help! I'm building a new system in the next few weeks (my first), so I'll definitely be asking more questions.

I got the drive at Best Buy. They have 160 GB Western Digital (8MB buffer) for $199 - $30 BB rebate - $70 WD rebate = $99. Some were mispackaged with 200 GB drives (intentionally?). Microcenter had the same one for $179, but only the $70 rebate. I was able to get Best Buy to pricematch the $179 and give me a $22 (110%) refund. You can read about it here: http://www.slickdeals.net/#p3551 (sorry, not trying to spam the site).

Anyway, thank again!

Brian