Recommendations for PCI SATA controller?

[Mac]

I just bought a new 1TB drive for an aging Asus A7N8X rig. When I attempted to install the system would freeze during the RAID BIOS init. After contacting Asus, I was informed that my mobo has the SiI 3112a chipset which has a 250GB size limitation.

Only work around I can think of is to purhase a PCI controller that can support the drive. I don't really need RAID so just plan to run as a JBOD environment. I use PATA drives in the system for boot and programs. I already have a SATA 200GB drive attached which is just about maxed out (reason for buying the new drive) and would likely disconnect from mobo controller and attach to what ever controller card that I buy. The SATA is used for mass storage...video, audio, etc..

So, looking for something that is reliable, fast and inexpensive. Would appreciate recommendations.

Thanks! Mac

 

[VirtualLarry]

Syba PCI 3114-chipset SATA 4-port card at NewEgg for $30.

 

[Mac]

Thanks... I assume this is card you are referencing:

Syba SATA

Just to be sure, are there any limitations on the drive size for this?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Mac
Thanks... I assume this is card you are referencing:

Syba SATA

Just to be sure, are there any limitations on the drive size for this?

Yes, that's the card. I'm not aware of any drive-size limitations, although Windows XP may have issues with array sizes of greater than 2TB. In that case, you just have to create multiple arrays out of your source drives.

 

[Mac]

Thanks for the tip. Because I don't plan on running as a RAID array, don't anticipate running into the 2 TB limitation. I just need something to support a large capacity HD.

Saying that, because the RAID capability is unimportant, do you know if there are less expensive solutions that can support a 1 TB hard drive?

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Mac
I just bought a new 1TB drive for an aging Asus A7N8X rig. When I attempted to install the system would freeze during the RAID BIOS init. After contacting Asus, I was informed that my mobo has the SiI 3112a chipset which has a 250GB size limitation.

The problem is the older 3112 firmware embedded in the ASUS BIOS, not the 3112 hardware. There are user-modded BIOS available with updated firmware for the 3112 controller that will support 1TB drives.

But there is no performance advantage over a PCI card, since the 3112 is PCI-based, anyway. You can find newer or improved controller chips on PCI cards, though. Plus you can use the latest firmware without worrying about integrating it with the ASUS BIOS.

 

[Mac]

Thanks for the help. I was able to find the Syba 4 port controller on ebay brand new, cost $11.25 delivered.

Took a little work to get it installed but finally got the kinks worked out and new 1TB drive is running smoothly (fingers crossed).