Adding more SATA Hard drives

Jacketman28

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Oct 16, 2013
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I was wondering if it is possible to add more SATA data ports to my Gigabyte H77N-Wifi motherboard without a PCI-E card as i have a graphics card in there ? Just a theoretical question as it may be a while till i may require more expansion.
 

Szyrs

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Aug 28, 2013
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Incorrect. You can use a SATA cable to connect a SATA Port Multiplier such as this one:

http://www.addonics.com/products/diagrams/ad5sapm_diagram.gif

Or a SATA > eSATA cable to connect a SATA Port Multiplier such as this one: http://apcmag.com/system/files/images/sata-port-multiplier.article-width.jpg

http://apcmag.com/system/files/images/sata-port-multiplier.article-width.jpg

Neither require a PCIe slot :

http://www.addonics.com/products/raid_system/images/rack_3xpm_esa.jpg

 


And if he has no open slots, where will he mount these?
 

Szyrs

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Aug 28, 2013
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The third image clearly depicts the first port multiplier that I linked affixed directly to a chassis, inspection of the first image will show the screw holes to mount it this way.

Other Port Multipliers are available to fit various sizes of drive bay, one example is depicted in the second image that I linked.

Lastly, at no point did he say anything about his chassis, he merely said that the only available PCIe slot on his motherboard was occupied by a graphics card.