IDE HDD converting to SATA

mac1st3 · 6 Oct 2010 at 11:19

I've got 2 IDE HDDs connected to my system at the moment using the standard ribbon connections, but have 3 SATA II ports free on the motherboard, I also have a few extra IDE HDDs sitting about here that II'd like to connect, I've got plenty of power to support them, but wondering about how I can connect them to the motherboard, are there adapters that can convert IDE drives to SATA II? or a ribbon with more than one slave connection on it to connect more than 2 IDE HDDs to the motherboard?

(Motherboard is Foxconn G33M-S iG33 for those who need more info)

Duke · 6 Oct 2010 at 11:24

I've seen SATA to IDE converters (which work but are very slow), but not the other way around.

You could just get a PCI IDE card in there, which would give you another two slots (so up to 4 more devices).

mac1st3 · 6 Oct 2010 at 11:31

Ohh, that could work, thanks, running a tad short on PCI-E slots, but certainly a decent option, cheers

Duke · 6 Oct 2010 at 11:34

Should have a PCI slot or two though? I expect a PCI-E version would be more expensive.

mac1st3 · 6 Oct 2010 at 11:42

apologies, PCI not PCI-E get the two round the wrong way >.< PCI-E x16 port taken up with GFX card lol PCI-E x1 taken up with sound card lol

malcolm · 8 Oct 2010 at 18:03

mac1st3 said:
I've got 2 IDE HDDs connected to my system at the moment using the standard ribbon connections, but have 3 SATA II ports free on the motherboard, I also have a few extra IDE HDDs sitting about here that II'd like to connect, I've got plenty of power to support them, but wondering about how I can connect them to the motherboard, are there adapters that can convert IDE drives to SATA II? or a ribbon with more than one slave connection on it to connect more than 2 IDE HDDs to the motherboard?

(Motherboard is Foxconn G33M-S iG33 for those who need more info)

There are plenty of adaptors to run an IDE drive on a SATA port, some even claim to be bi-directional. I had a couple of Hi=point units on some IDE drives used on a motherboard RAID controller, Raid 0 speeds were fine and I never had any problems. They were only for HD's. There are many out there now that support CD/DVD drives as well. Try a popular search engine or that auction site.

I get annoyed by adding extra controllers, the delay while their bios boots can be considerable, not an issue with an 'always on' system, but a pain on a general use PC that you like to shut down overnight.